LCR-Reader-MPA is in the Finals or Plant Engineering's Product of the Year 2020! Vote Now!

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LCR-Reader-MPA: All-in-One Digital Multimeter with LED/Diode Tests, Oscilloscope and More

LCR-Reader-MPA BT Remote Recording in Real Time Over Bluetooth Available Now!

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New: Speed-up component testing 10 times with LCR-Reader-MPA Bluetooth Logger

Recent News: NASA Tech Briefs Whitepaper "Accurate Measurements of Extremely Small Capacitance Values"

LCR-Reader-MPA Video

LCR-Reader-MPA Presentation

Products

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Now Available: LCR-Reader-MPA, New Generation of MP

Siborg has released a new model in the MP line, the LCR-Reader-MPA. The device features a new design with lighter weight, easier-to-read display, and 4 way-joystick navigation button. Features include 3 test signal levels, more accurate LED testing, and 0.1% basic accuracy.

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LCR-Reader-MP is still available for a limited time, Amazon only, shop now.

LCR-Reader-MP Introductory Video

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Instant Evaluations With Just One Touch

The title says it all, Smart Tweezers will show you component value right when you touch it, no adjustments needed to the component type, test frequency, test signal, etc. Not only will it show the main impedance component L, C or R but also the parasitics, such as R for L, C and C for R.

Built for Simplicity

LCR-Reader is twice as light as Smart Tweezers ST-5 and also powered by Li-Ion rechargeable battery with a micro-USB charger connector. Basic accuracy of the new device is about 0.5% which is not as good as that of Smart Tweezers ST5 (0.2%) but about exceeds that of previous models of Smart Tweezers ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3. It also has gold-plated stainless steel tweezer tips. There is just one button that turns the device on and allows to change the measurement mode by a single button push: A (automatic), L (inductance), C (capacitance), R (resistance), and ESR (equivalent series resistance). All measurements are done automatically, test signal amplitude is fixed at 0.5 Volts, test frequency is automatically adjusted according to the component type and value. Similarly to Smart Tweezers, LCR-Reader in addition to the the main impedance component L, C or R it will also show the parasitics, such as R for L, C and C for R.

One of the problems with Smart Tweezers LCR-meter has been the price point. Depending on the region and resellers, Smart Tweezers can be from $300 to $700. Criticism about the screen being crowded has also been sounded on the ST5 model. For companies and professionals using Smart Tweezers, there are few issues, but for the everyday hobbyist, the price point is far too high. Siborg had attempted creating a new device with a lower price (not featuring a 1 Volt test signal) but the price cut was only 20%, and would not affect the overall market.

Around a year ago, development of the LCR-Reader began, based on the availability of new microchips and ideas of how to simplify the circuit without losing much of the accuracy. The result evolved into the prototype pictured (Fig 1.), a physically smaller and lighter device and cheaper manufacturing cost (compared to the Smart Tweezers LCR-meter).

The new LCR-Reader is powered by a Li-Ion battery, rechargeable via micro-USB. The device features a lower weight, with about 0.5% basic accuracy.

Similarities to the Smart Tweezers models include the gold-plated tweezer tips that have attributed to Smart Tweezers identifiable design, a one-button navigation, and a Li-Ion battery that charges via micro-USB. The new device features a 0.5% basic accuracy, which is slightly lower than the ST5 model, but the same as the ST2 model. The button navigation provides a simple touch solution to switching modes of operation; A (Automatic component recognition), R (Resistance), L (Inductance), C (Capacitance), and ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance). All measurements are automatic, test signal amplitude is 0.5 Vrms, test frequency is automatically selected according to the component type and value.
The photo to the left shows an example of the device's screen while measuring. AM shows that the LCR-Reader is measuring in Automatic Mode, Rs is the parasitic series resistance of the non-ideal inductor, 10 kHz is the test frequency being used, L shows that the component under evaluation is an inductance and 104.8 uH shows the inductance value in micro-Henries, the battery icon shows its charge level.

Calibration Fixture and Accuracy Verification

Siborg sent 4 randomly selected LCR-Readers to Navair Technologies in Toronto, one of Canada's leading Calibration Facilities for NIST certifications. The results returned were higher than expected, view the results and certificates here. New 4-wire and 2-wire Calibration Fixtures have been created for all models of Smart Tweezers including older models and the LCR-Reader.
The calibration fixture uses 14 known components within the Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader's measurement ranges. When a device is connected, the calibration fixture signals a different component with each button press. The measurement values are immediately available on the Smart Tweezers or LCR-Reader's display. These values can then be compared to the known values of the components to confirm or reject accuracy.

LCR-Reader or Smart Tweezers ST-5S: Which Device is Best for You?

At first glance the ST-5S and the LCR-Reader are nearly identical, so how do you choose which device is right for you?

First, you need to decide what you want your device to do; both ST-5S and LCR-Reader will automatically identify the type of component and measure for L, C, R and ESR instantly. The main differences between the devices is the functions they preform. The pen-sized device is just 1 oz. weight, making it perfect to stow in a bag or pocket. Both use a Li-Ion battery with micro-USB charging that last up to 80 hours continuous use. All measurements are instantly displayed on a bright OLED display that makes reading the screen easy even in less than suitable conditions.

The ST-5S is best for professionals and companies alike that require more features for better customizing specific measurements, as well as coming with an NIST traceable calibration certificate. The ST-5S allows user to change the test signal (with 0.5 and 1.0 Vrms), as well as variable tolerances of 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20%. This device also does continuity and diode testing, and showed active and reactive impedance components on the display. As one of the features that saves times for users, a semi-automatic offset subtraction feature automatically removes parasitics after set-up. The ST-5S is controlled by a joystick-like navigation; pushing the button directionally will change the test mode, test signal, etc., while pressing the joystick will open the menu to allow more customized measurements and features like changing the screen orientation.

The LCR-Reader is a more budget-friendly model along the same lines as the Smart Tweezers models. While the look and feel of the LCR-Reader is the same as the ST-5S; the LCR-Reader is a more stripped down version, with the basic functions to get the job done. This model does not come with a calibration certificate, or have features such as component sorting, diode, continuity or open circuit testing, nor variable test signals, utilizing only a 0.5 Vrms test signal. The LCR-Reader has a one-button navigation that changes the test mode with each press. The main selling feature of the LCR-Reader is the price, retailing for less than $200 nearly half the price of the ST-5S.

Smart Tweezers ST-5S, LCR-Reader and LCR-Reader-MP Comparison

Feature	ST-5S	LCR-Reader	LCR-Reader-MP
Basic Accuracy	0.2%	0.5%	0.1%
Automatic L, C, R and ESR measurements	Yes	Yes	Yes
Manual L, C, R and ESR measurements	Yes	Yes	Yes
Designated ESR measurements	Yes	Yes	Yes
Variable Tolerances	1, 5, 10, 20% tolerances	N/A	1, 5, 10, 20% tolerances
Continuity and Diode testing	Yes	No	Yes
Parasitic offset subtraction	Yes	No	Yes
Li-Ion battery with micro-USB	Yes	Yes	Yes
Display	OLED	OLED	Backlight LCD
Weight	1 oz.	1 oz.	1.5 oz.
NIST Traceable Calibration Certificate	Yes	Yes	Yes
Navigation	4-way joystick	One-button	Jog-wheel
Technical Specs
Frequency	0.1, 0.12, 1, 10kHz +/- 0.005%	0.1, 1, 10kHz +/- 0.5%	0.1, 0.12, 1, 10kHz +/- 0.005%
Test Signal Level	0.45, 0.9 +/- 5% Vrms	0.45 +/- 5% Vrms	0.45, 0.9 +/- 5% Vrms
Source Impedance	62.5 Ω/1k Ω/16k Ω +/- 1%	62.5 Ω/1k Ω/16k Ω +/- 1%	62.5 Ω/1k Ω/16k Ω +/- 1%
Typical Accuracy
Resistance	0.2%	0.5%	0.05%
Capacitance	0.2%	0.5%	0.2%
Inductance	0.2%	0.5%	0.2%
Measurement Range
Resistance	0.1 Ohm to 10 Mohms	0.1 Ohm to 10 Mohms	0.1 Ohm to 20 MOhm
Capacitance	0.5 pF to 1 mF	2 pF to 5 mF	0 to 680 000 µF
Inductance	0.5 uH to 1 H	0.5 uH to 1 H	0.5 uH to 100 H

The Colibri: Variable Test Frequencies

The Colibri is the model right between Smart Tweezers and the LCR-Reader. Built from the LCR-Reader, the Colibri offers a 0.5% basic accuracy, lower price, and easy-to-use design but allows users the ability to select the test frequency for more specific measurements. Just like LCR-Reader, Colibri is able to automatically determine the type of component and the best test mode and parameters for the component under test. The main difference between the Colibri and LCR-Reader is the variable test frequencies on the Colibri. When the button on the device is pressed, Colibri will change the measurement mode (AM, L, C, R, ESR) with frequencies of 10 kHz, 1 kHz, or 100Hz available for selection. To reset the device to the default fully-automatic mode, simply hold the button down until the display flashes. The Colibri is available for around $200, making it affordable for non-professionals. This model does not come with the NIST traceable Calibration Certificate.

The Smart Tweezers Blog features all the latest news about Smart Tweezers LCR-meter and the LCR-Reader.
A comparison of LCR-Reader and previous models of Smart Tweezers is given in a Comparison Table:

LCR-Reader vs previous Smart Tweezers models

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Feature Summary

• Automatic measurement of L-C-R and ESR
• Basic Accuracy of 0.5%
• Automatic best range
• Li-Ion rechargeable battery, Optional USB Charger
• 28 gram (1 oz) weight