L/C Meter IIB
ACCURACY ANALYSIS 4/30/2010
Compared to sets of : 

20 HP Type 16470A calibration standards,
16 Boonton Type 103A inductance calibration standards,
18 Marconi TM4520 inductance calibration standards,
6 Boonton Type 62-2A  inductance calibration standards.
                                                                   
10 values for a General Radio model 722-D precision air variable capacitor
7 Heathkit  0.25% capacitor calibration standards
37 . Arco 0.1% capacitor calibration standards
29 values 0.5% Capacitance Decade.

I took a regular, un-selected, L/C Meter IIB, I assembled today, and ran it against these standards with the results tabulated below.
                                                                   
Individual meters may vary +/- 1% from these results

I also tested them against my B&K model 878 which is specified as 0.7% accuracy just for comparison.
It tests at 1KHz and appears less accurate, for inductors, against standards specified at higher frequencies.
The M3 Electronics Digital LCR vector impedence meter. A fine instrument of similar accuracy and greater range than L/C Meter IIB.
         I used the optional kelvin clip test lead set for these measurements.
The Electronics-DIY kit which uses a version of my design (without my permission).
    Apparently they "borrowed" the complete circuit design and software from a project on an Australian web site.
   
A comparison of the features of these meters is shown at the end of the page (click here).

Average error is the arithmetic sum of individual component errors / number of samples.
Spec Freq is the specified test frequency for that standard value.
Test Freq L/C Meter IIB is the actual test frequency used in the L/C Meter IIB
Test frequency for the Electronics DIY kit is unknown but since it is a copy of my design it is probably close to L/C Meter IIB frequencies.
% error = (reading-standard)/standard *100
Average error is only one indicator and you should examine the tables to determine the range of errors
My lab standards do not have recent certification but they can't be far off.

These test results are NOT a statistical analysis, just one example of each type meter was used and results of a similar test using different units could vary somewhat.

L/C Meter IIB repeatability test result.
I built five L/C Meter IIBs and did a full inductance calibration on each to test repeatability between units.
The average error was well within specifications for all five.
Results are shown at: repeatability.htm

wpe1.jpg (8072 bytes)

Results for a set of 20 HP16470 calibration standard inductors

STANDARD INDUCTOR L/C meter 2B B&k 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
HP Standard HP Test Freq %error Test Freq %error Test Freq %error Test Freq* %error
Inductance Spec Freq
uHy MHz uHy KHz uHy KHz uHy KHz uHy KHz
0.070 60-100 0.070 739.755 0.00% N/A 0.075 15.600 7.14% 0.060 ? -14.29%
0.100 50-70 0.097 739.592 -3.00% N/A 0.100 15.600 0.00% 0.080 ? -20.00%
0.280 30-50 0.262 738.616 -6.43% 0.300 1.000 7.14% 0.320 15.600 14.29% 0.260 ? -7.14%
0.520 22-35 0.488 737.322 -6.15% 0.400 1.000 -23.08% 0.570 15.600 9.62% 0.490 ? -5.77%
1.000 8-22 0.958 734.753 -4.20% 0.900 1.000 -10.00% 1.020 15.600 2.00% 0.960 ? -4.00%
2.500 5-14 2.502 726.894 0.08% 2.500 1.000 0.00% 2.630 15.600 5.20% 2.380 ? -4.80%
5.200 3.5-10 5.099 713.362 -1.94% 5.100 1.000 -1.92% 5.310 15.600 2.12% 4.830 ? -7.12%
10.000 2.5-7 9.863 691.064 -1.37% 8.800 1.000 -12.00% 9.920 15.600 -0.80% 9.320 ? -6.80%
28.000 1.5-4.2 27.170 622.917 -2.96% 25.500 1.000 -8.93% 27.250 15.600 -2.68% 25.580 ? -8.64%
56.000 1-3.1 55.060 548.094 -1.68% 52.100 1.000 -6.96% 54.950 15.600 -1.88% 51.700 ? -7.68%
100.000 .8-2.2 97.860 470.881 -2.14% 98.600 1.000 -1.40% 97.500 15.600 -2.50% 91.780 ? -8.22%
250.000 .5-1.4 256.100 342.257 2.44% 257.600 1.000 3.04% 254.400 15.600 1.76% 240.100 ? -3.96%
520.000 .35-1 516.600 251.696 -0.65% 507.800 1.000 -2.35% 509.900 15.600 -1.94% 484.900 ? -6.75%
mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz
1.000 250-700 0.998 73.475 -0.23% 0.981 1.000 -1.90% 0.985 15.600 -1.46% 0.939 ? -6.10%
2.800 150-420 2.818 72.535 0.64% 2.751 1.000 -1.75% 2.783 15.600 -0.61% 2.664 ? -4.86%
5.200 100-300 5.183 71.336 -0.33% 5.096 1.000 -2.00% 5.111 15.600 -1.71% 4.911 ? -5.56%
10.000 80-220 10.000 69.106 0.00% 9.820 1.000 -1.80% 9.862 15.600 -1.38% 9.499 ? -5.01%
25.000 50-140 25.850 63.288 3.40% 25.190 1.000 0.76% 25.350 15.600 1.40% 24.570 ? -1.72%
52.000 35-100 50.870 55.715 -2.17% 49.280 1.000 -5.23% 49.820 15.600 -4.19% 48.330 ? -7.06%
130.000 22-62 136.200 43.374 4.77% 127.800 1.000 -1.69% 130.100 15.600 0.08% N/A ?
 Average Error -1.10%  Average Error -3.89%  Average Error 1.36%  Average Error -7.53%

wpe2.jpg (14033 bytes)

Results for a set of 16 Booton type 103A calibration standard inductors.

STANDARD INDUCTOR L/C meter 2B B&k 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
Booton Booton Test Freq Test Freq Test Freq
Inductor Spec Freq
uHy MHz uHy KHz %error uHy KHz %error uHy KHz %error uHy KHz %error
0.25 30-50 0.27 738.78 8.40% 0.30 1.00 20.00% 0.27 15.60 8.00% 0.19 ? -24.00%
0.50 20-35 0.51 737.43 2.80% 0.40 1.00 -20.00% 0.54 15.60 8.00% 0.46 ? -8.00%
1.00 8-20 1.01 734.75 1.20% 0.90 1.00 -10.00% 1.06 15.60 6.00% 0.94 ? -6.00%
2.50 5-14 2.51 726.89 0.24% 2.30 1.00 -8.00% 2.61 15.60 4.40% 2.38 ? -4.80%
5.00 3.5-10 4.99 714.34 -0.20% 4.70 1.00 -6.00% 5.15 15.60 3.00% 4.72 ? -5.60%
10.00 2.5-7 9.97 691.06 -0.29% 9.70 1.00 -3.00% 10.18 15.60 1.80% 9.42 ? -5.80%
25.00 1.5-4.5 24.96 632.88 -0.16% 23.60 1.00 -5.60% 25.61 15.60 2.44% 23.54 ? -5.84%
50.00 1.1-3 50.22 561.86 0.44% 43.70 1.00 -12.60% 50.06 15.60 0.12% 47.30 ? -5.40%
100.00 .08-.2 100.80 470.88 0.80% 101.20 1.00 1.20% 100.00 15.60 0.00% 94.76 ? -5.24%
250.00 .5-1.4 254.80 342.26 1.92% 253.80 1.00 1.52% 251.40 15.60 0.56% 239.70 ? -4.12%
500.00 .35-1 511.00 256.09 2.20% 505.60 1.00 1.12% 502.90 15.60 0.58% 481.30 ? -3.74%
mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz
1.00 250-700 1.03 73.48 2.50% 1.02 1.00 1.50% 1.01 15.60 0.90% 0.97 ? -3.20%
2.50 150-450 2.55 72.69 2.16% 2.53 1.00 1.20% 2.51 15.60 0.24% 2.42 ? -3.24%
5.00 110-300 5.07 71.43 1.48% 5.04 1.00 0.70% 4.97 15.60 -0.60% 4.82 ? -3.60%
10.00 80-200 10.23 69.11 2.30% 10.12 1.00 1.20% 10.02 15.60 0.20% 9.74 ? -2.60%
25.00 50-140 25.76 63.29 3.04% 25.28 1.00 1.12% 25.10 15.60 0.40% 24.54 ? -1.84%
Average Error 1.80% Average Error -2.23% Average Error 2.25% Average Error -5.81%

wpe3.jpg (4555 bytes)

Results for a set of 9 Booton 62-2A calibration standard inductors.

STANDARD INDUCTOR L/C meter 2B B&k 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
Booton Booton Test Freq %error Test Freq %error Test Freq %error %error
Inductor Spec Freq
uHy MHz uHy KHz uHy KHz uHy KHz uHy KHz
0.905 1.0 0.906 735.259 0.11% N/A 0.970 15.600 7.18% 0.9 ? -0.55%
1.870 1.0 1.874 730.164 0.21% 1.600 1.000 -14.44% 2.030 15.600 8.56% 1.82 ? -2.67%
2.800 1.0 2.795 725.352 -0.18% 3.300 1.000 17.86% 3.040 15.600 8.57% 2.72 ? -2.86%
9.430 1.0 9.352 693.603 -0.83% 7.900 1.000 -16.22% 9.500 15.600 0.74% 9.06 ? -3.92%
19.300 1.0 19.130 653.219 -0.88% 17.100 1.000 -11.40% 19.410 15.600 0.57% 18.54 ? -3.94%
29.300 1.0 29.060 618.742 -0.82% 27.300 1.000 -6.83% 29.450 15.600 0.51% 28.2 ? -3.75%
106.000 1.0 106.100 462.691 0.09% 106.700 1.000 0.66% 105.200 15.600 -0.75% 100.2 ? -5.47%
184.000 1.0 184.800 384.473 0.43% 183.600 1.000 -0.22% 183.400 15.600 -0.33% 174.6 ? -5.11%
261.000 1.0 262.000 336.487 0.38% 260.700 1.000 -0.11% 261.100 15.600 0.04% 247.9 ? -5.02%
 Average Error -0.16%  Average Error -3.88%  Average Error 2.90%  Average Error -3.70%

wpe4.jpg (8844 bytes)

Results for a set of 18 Marconi TM4520 calibration standard inductors.

STANDARD INDUCTOR L/C meter 2B B&k 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
Marconi Marconi Test Freq Test Freq Test Freq test freq
Inductor Spec Freq
uHy KHz  uHy KHz %error  uHy KHz %error  uHy KHz %error  uHy KHz %error
0.20 1.00 0.22 739.05 10.50% N/A 0.17 15.60 -15.00% 0.15 ? -25.00%
1.00 1.00 1.03 734.75 3.10% 1.10 1.00 10.00% 1.00 15.60 0.00% 0.92 ? -8.00%
1.50 1.00 1.51 732.10 0.33% 1.50 1.00 0.00% 1.51 15.60 0.67% 1.39 ? -7.33%
2.50 1.00 2.45 726.89 -2.20% 2.30 1.00 -8.00% 2.50 15.60 0.00% 2.26 ? -9.60%
5.00 1.00 5.06 714.34 1.10% 4.80 1.00 -4.00% 5.20 15.60 4.00% 4.74 ? -5.20%
10.00 1.00 9.62 691.06 -3.82% 9.10 1.00 -9.00% 9.89 15.60 -1.10% 9.09 ? -9.10%
25.00 1.00 24.42 632.88 -2.32% 26.50 1.00 6.00% 24.43 15.60 -2.28% 23.02 ? -7.92%
50.00 1.00 49.31 561.86 -1.38% 43.50 1.00 -13.00% 49.21 15.60 -1.58% 46.45 ? -7.10%
75.00 1.00 74.28 510.38 -0.96% 74.90 1.00 -0.13% 73.72 15.60 -1.71% 69.62 ? -7.17%
100.00 1.00 99.77 470.88 -0.23% 93.20 1.00 -6.80% 98.98 15.60 -1.02% 92.48 ? -7.52%
200.00 1.00 199.30 372.82 -0.35% 199.00 1.00 -0.50% 197.20 15.60 -1.40% 186.70 ? -6.65%
250.00 1.00 251.00 342.26 0.40% 263.00 1.00 5.20% 248.10 15.60 -0.76% 235.10 ? -5.96%
500.00 1.00 494.50 256.09 -1.10% 496.10 1.00 -0.78% 489.20 15.60 -2.16% 464.70 ? -7.06%
mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz mHy KHz
1.00 1.00 1.01 73.48 0.80% 1.01 1.00 0.70% 1.00 15.60 -0.24% 0.95 ? -5.06%
2.50 1.00 2.55 72.69 2.12% 2.55 1.00 2.00% 2.52 15.60 0.80% 2.41 ? -3.48%
5.00 1.00 4.99 71.43 -0.24% 4.99 1.00 -0.28% 4.91 15.60 -1.72% 4.73 ? -5.46%
10.00 1.00 10.28 69.11 2.80% 10.23 1.00 2.30% 10.12 15.60 1.20% 9.77 ? -2.31%
25.00 1.00 24.95 63.29 -0.20% 24.96 1.00 -0.16% 24.50 15.60 -2.00% 23.73 ? -5.08%
 Average Error 0.46%  Average Error -0.97%  Average Error -1.35%  Average Error -7.50%

Averages for all types of calibration standard inductors.

L/C meter 2B B&k 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
 Average Error 0.20%  Average Error -2.43%  Average Error 0.99%  Average Error -6.05%

 

wpe5.jpg (9592 bytes)  wpe8.jpg (10999 bytes)

Results for a set of ARCO .1% calibration standard capacitors.

ARCO 0.1% standard L/C meter 2B B&k 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
pf pf KHz %error pf KHz %error pf KHz %error pf KHz %error
100 98.91 691.06 -1.09% 100.5 1.00 0.50% 101.7 15.6 1.70% 105.5 ?

5.50%
200 197.6 650.62 -1.20% 201.5 1.00 0.75% 201.7 15.6 0.85% 211.2 ? 5.60%
300 296.5 616.53 -1.17% 301.2 1.00 0.40% 302.7 15.6 0.90% 317.1 ? 5.70%
400 396.7 587.29 -0.83% 401.6 1.00 0.40% 403.9 15.6 0.97% 435.4 ? 8.85%
500 496.5 561.86 -0.70% 500.6 1.00 0.12% 505.1 15.6 1.02% 545.6 ? 9.12%
600 596.6 539.46 -0.57% 601.4 1.00 0.23% 606.3 15.6 1.05% 637.1 ? 6.18%
700 696.4 519.55 -0.51% 700.2 1.00 0.03% 707.5 15.6 1.07% 754.7 ? 7.81%
800 797.2 501.69 -0.35% 800.1 1.00 0.01% 808.5 15.6 1.06% 852.4 ? 6.55%
900 896.8 485.55 -0.36% 899.2 1.00 -0.09% 908.6 15.6 0.96% 955.4 ? 6.16%
1000 996.9 470.88 -0.31% 999 1.00 -0.10% 1009 15.6 0.90% 1060 ? 6.00%
2000 2012 372.82 0.60% 1999 1.00 -0.05% 2017 15.6 0.85% 2141 ? 7.05%
3000 2971 318.16 -0.97% 2998 1.00 -0.07% 3019 15.6 0.63% 3197 ? 6.57%
4000 3979 282.13 -0.53% 3998 1.00 -0.05% 4005 15.6 0.13% 4231 ? 5.78%
5000 4983 256.09 -0.34% 4993 1.00 -0.14% 5004 15.6 0.08% 5341 ? 6.82%
6000 6006 236.14 0.10% 6001 1.00 0.02% 6015 15.6 0.25% 6429 ? 7.15%
7000 7012 220.23 0.17% 7001 1.00 0.01% 7016 15.6 0.23% 7506 ? 7.23%
8000 8030 207.16 0.38% 8004 1.00 0.05% 8022 15.6 0.28% 8592 ? 7.40%
9000 9043 196.17 0.48% 9009 1.00 0.10% 9025 15.6 0.28% 9680 ? 7.56%
uF uF KHz uF KHz uF KHz uF KHz
0.01 0.01005 186.76 0.50% 0.00998 1.00 -0.20% 0.01002 15.6 0.20% 0.01075 ? 7.50%
0.02 0.02018 134.21 0.90% 0.02 1.00 0.00% 0.02005 15.6 0.25% 0.02174 ? 8.70%
0.03 0.03034 110.19 1.13% 0.03003 1.00 0.10% 0.03009 15.6 0.30% 0.03295 ? 9.83%
0.04 0.04044 95.69 1.10% 0.04001 1.00 0.02% 0.04005 15.6 0.13% 0.04437 ? 10.93%
0.05 0.05056 85.73 1.12% 0.05002 1.00 0.04% 0.05009 15.6 0.18% 0.05595 ? 11.90%
0.06 0.05954 78.35 -0.77% 0.06005 1.00 0.08% 0.06011 15.6 0.18% 0.06893 ? 14.88%
0.07 0.07083 72.60 1.19% 0.07007 1.00 0.10% 0.07015 15.6 0.21% 0.07983 ? 14.04%
0.08 0.08092 67.95 1.15% 0.08009 1.00 0.11% 0.08016 15.6 0.20% 0.09203 ? 15.04%
0.09 0.09112 64.09 1.24% 0.09009 1.00 0.10% 0.09021 15.6 0.23% 0.1045 ? 16.11%
0.1 0.101 60.83 1.00% 0.0998 1.00 -0.20% 0.1002 15.6 0.20% 0.1172 ? 17.20%
0.2 0.2018 43.08 0.90% 0.1975 1.00 -1.25% 0.2004 15.6 0.20% 0.2574 ? 28.70%
0.3 0.291 35.20 -3.00% 0.3 1.00 0.00% 0.3011 15.6 0.37% 0.4316 ? 43.87%
0.4 0.4036 30.49 0.90% 0.4002 1.00 0.05% 0.4014 15.6 0.35% 0.6416 ? 60.40%
0.5 0.5045 27.28 0.90% 0.4999 1.00 -0.02% 0.5016 15.6 0.32% 0.6432 ? 28.64%
0.6 0.6005 24.90 0.08% 0.5997 1.00 -0.05% 0.602 15.6 0.33% 0.8388 ? 39.80%
 Average Error 0.04%  Average Error 0.03%  Average Error 0.51%  Average Error 13.65%

wpe9.jpg (7080 bytes)

Results for a  Jay Jay Lloyd 1/2% calibration standard capacitance decade.

.5%decade L/C meter 2B B&K 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
pf pf KHz %error pf KHz %error pf KHz %error pf KHz %error
100 98.54 691.06 -1.46% 102.7 1.00 2.70% 101.3 15.6 1.30% 105.6 ?

5.60%
200 197.7 650.62 -1.15% 204.4 1.00 2.20% 201.8 15.6 0.90% 211.8 ? 5.90%
300 298.1 616.53 -0.63% 304.7 1.00 1.57% 303.6 15.6 1.20% 319.7 ? 6.57%
400 396.1 587.29 -0.97% 403.1 1.00 0.78% 402 15.6 0.50% 423.7 ? 5.93%
500 497.9 561.86 -0.42% 504.1 1.00 0.82% 505.8 15.6 1.16% 532.1 ? 6.42%
600 596.6 539.46 -0.57% 602.6 1.00 0.43% 605.4 15.6 0.90% 637.2 ? 6.20%
700 696.7 519.55 -0.47% 702.4 1.00 0.34% 706.5 15.6 0.93% 743.6 ? 6.23%
800 798.2 501.69 -0.22% 803.2 1.00 0.40% 808.2 15.6 1.03% 851.4 ? 6.43%
900 897.2 485.55 -0.31% 901.3 1.00 0.14% 907.5 15.6 0.83% 956.3 ? 6.26%
1010 999.9 469.49 -1.00% 1003 1.00 -0.69% 1010 15.6 0.00% 1065 ? 5.45%
2000 2081 372.82 4.05% 2004 1.00 0.20% 2018 15.6 0.90% 2248 ? 12.40%
3000 3087 318.16 2.90% 3006 1.00 0.20% 3025 15.6 0.83% 3315 ? 10.50%
4000 4101 282.13 2.53% 4007 1.00 0.18% 4011 15.6 0.28% 4404 ? 10.10%
5000 5128 256.09 2.56% 5010 1.00 0.20% 5018 15.6 0.36% 5499 ? 9.98%
6000 6144 236.14 2.40% 6023 1.00 0.38% 6034 15.6 0.57% 6582 ? 9.70%
7000 7163 220.23 2.33% 7026 1.00 0.37% 7039 15.6 0.56% 7669 ? 9.56%
8000 8178 207.16 2.23% 8030 1.00 0.38% 8045 15.6 0.56% 8756 ? 9.45%
9000 9198 196.17 2.20% 9031 1.00 0.34% 9049 15.6 0.54% 9849 ? 9.43%
10000 10210 186.76 2.10% 10000 1.00 0.00% 10060 15.6 0.60% 10940 ? 9.40%
20000 20370 134.21 1.85% 20000 1.00 0.00% 20040 15.6 0.20% 21960 ? 9.80%
30000 30300 110.19 1.00% 30000 1.00 0.00% 30100 15.6 0.33% 33160 ? 10.53%
40000 40750 95.69 1.88% 40000 1.00 0.00% 40060 15.6 0.15% 44690 ? 11.73%
50000 50920 85.73 1.84% 50000 1.00 0.00% 50160 15.6 0.32% 56380 ? 12.76%
60000 61020 78.35 1.70% 60000 1.00 0.00% 60150 15.6 0.25% 68180 ? 13.63%
70000 71210 72.60 1.73% 70000 1.00 0.00% 70140 15.6 0.20% 80320 ? 14.74%
80000 81300 67.95 1.63% 80000 1.00 0.00% 80220 15.6 0.28% 92560 ? 15.70%
90000 91510 64.09 1.68% 90000 1.00 0.00% 90210 15.6 0.23% 105100 ? 16.78%
100000 101600 60.83 1.60% 100000 1.00 0.00% 100300 15.6 0.30% 117800 ? 17.80%
 Average Error 1.11%  Average Error 0.39%  Average Error 0.58%  Average Error 9.82%

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Results for a General Radio GR 722D precision air variable.

GR 722-D L/C meter 2B B&K 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
pF pF KHz %error pF KHz %error pF KHz %error pF KHz %error
25 24.38 726.89 -2.48% 29.3 1.00 17.20% 26.4 15.6 5.60% 21.2 ?

-15.20%
30 29.36 724.33 -2.13% 30.1 1.00 0.33% 31.47 15.6 4.90% 31 ? 3.33%
40 39.33 719.28 -1.68% 43.4 1.00 8.50% 41.57 15.6 3.93% 41.6 ? 4.00%
50 49.29 714.34 -1.42% 53.1 1.00 6.20% 51.69 15.6 3.38% 52.4 ? 4.80%
60 59.23 709.50 -1.28% 62.7 1.00 4.50% 61.72 15.6 2.87% 63 ? 5.00%
70 69.17 704.75 -1.19% 72.8 1.00 4.00% 71.87 15.6 2.67% 73.7 ? 5.29%
80 79.14 700.10 -1.08% 82 1.00 2.50% 82 15.6 2.50% 84.4 ? 5.50%
90 89.08 695.54 -1.02% 92 1.00 2.22% 92.18 15.6 2.42% 95.3 ? 5.89%
100 99.11 691.06 -0.89% 101 1.00 1.00% 102.3 15.6 2.30% 105.8 ? 5.80%
110 109 686.68 -0.91% 111.3 1.00 1.18% 112.4 15.6 2.18% 116.6 ? 6.00%
 Average Error -1.41%  Average Error 4.76%  Average Error 3.27%  Average Error 3.04%

 

wpeB.jpg (2927 bytes)

Results for a Heathkit .25% calibration standard capacitance.

STANDARD CAPACITOR L/C meter 2B B&k 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
pf pf KHz %error  pf KHz %error  pf KHz %error  pf KHz %error
100.00       100.20 691.06 0.20%       101.50 1.00 1.50%       101.60 15.6 1.60% 106.6 ? 6.60%
200.00       200.60 650.62 0.30%       202.20 1.00 1.10%       201.50 15.6 0.75% 213.6 ? 6.80%
500.00       502.50 561.86 0.50%       504.10 1.00 0.82%       506.70 15.6 1.34% 535.8 ? 7.16%
1000.00    1,003.00 470.88 0.30%    1,001.00 1.00 0.10%    1,011.00 15.6 1.10% 1070 ? 7.00%
2000.00    2,012.00 372.82 0.60%    2,007.00 1.00 0.35%    2,021.00 15.6 1.05% 2148 ? 7.40%
5000.00    5,032.00 256.09 0.64%    5,009.00 1.00 0.18%    5,016.00 15.6 0.32% 5388 ? 7.76%
10000.00   10,080.00 186.76 0.80%   10,020.00 1.00 0.20%  10,050.00 15.6 0.50% 10840 ? 8.40%
 Average Error 0.48%  Average Error 0.61%  Average Error 0.95%  Average Error 7.30%

Average for all types of calibration standard capacitors

L/C meter 2B B&k 878 M 3 Electronics-DIY
 Average Error 0.27%  Average Error 0.82%  Average Error 0.93%  Average Error 10.35%

 

Comparison of the features of each of the meters tested.

Features L/C Meter IIB B&k 878 M3 Electronics-DIY
price

$99.95

 Discontinued (was $275)

$175

$69.95

resolution inductance 1 nHy  100 nHy 10 nHy 10 nhy
resolution capacitance .01 pF  .1 pF .001 pF .01 pF
range inductance 100 mHy  10000 H 100 H 100 mHy
range capacitance 1 uFd  10 uFd 99999 uFd .9 uFd
machined cabinet yes  not a kit yes no
professional front panel yes yes yes no
test jacks or binding posts yes yes yes no
test leads supplied yes yes yes no
power connector yes yes yes no
backlit display no no yes yes
current drain 10 ma. unknown line powered 110 ma.
cancel stray capacitance yes yes yes yes
cancel stray inductance yes yes yes no
average error capacitance 0.27% 0.82% 0.93%

10.35%
average error inductance 0.20% -2.43% 0.99%

-6.05%

Also measures

Q, D, and R at audio frequencies
Also measures
Q, D, Z, R, G. M and N.
at audio frequencies.
wpeC.jpg (2931 bytes)

includes blank case for you to machine