Inductance Meter Types and Styles

Learn about the different types of inductance meters and when to use each
By Phillip Galey Because a wide range of circuits, including tuned amplifiers, filters, oscillators and many more, depend on circuit component values being accurate, testing inductance is a common occurrence in the electronics lab. There is a variety of inductor meters to choose from, depending on the type and size of inductor to be measured. Small-value inductances of up to perhaps 3 mH are best calibrated using an RF inductance meter, because they require a higher frequency in order to exhibit a sizable reactance.

If you need to characterize the inductance of a component over a range of frequencies, then inductance analyzers provide such capability over typically a 20 Hz to 1 MHz range, though they vary by model. If you want to learn more about available inductance meter types and styles, read on.

1. Learn about digital inductance meters.

2. Understand the advantages of inductance analyzers over standard inductance meters.

3. Switch to RF inductance meters when measuring RF inductors.

Shop for digital inductance meters

Digital inductance meters are generally small, hand-held units that are designed for the convenience of portability, while being designed with a high degree of accuracy, input overload protection and low power consumption. With the advent of the digital inductance meter, the need for complex LCR meters is eliminated in nearly all cases. It is common to find digital inductance meters covering inductance ranges from 2 mH all the way up to 20 H.
Try:  Spread Spectrum Scene Online provides an informative review of the AADE Digital Inductance/Capacitance Meter. Circuit Specialists carries the model CSI6243 Digital Capacitance and Inductance meter and describes how the meter is intended only for low frequency inductors and capacitors as the testing frequency is only 900 Hz.

Consider inductance analyzers for characterizing inductance over a frequency range

An inductance analyzer is usually in the form of automated test equipment that can be programmed or can receive instructions via an IEEE-488 or RS-232 interface bus to conduct a sequence of inductance measurements over a range of frequencies. The result is a plot or series of data points of inductance vs. frequency for an inductor or other component being tested. Components other than inductors can also exhibit measurable amounts of inductance.
Try:  QuadTech provides a description of its model 1910 Inductance analyzer, including answers to why you should buy one, features, a product package description and a list of optional accessories. Wayne Kerr Electronics provides a full summary description of its GPIB-controlled model 3255 series inductance analyzers. The unit works with LabVIEW and is able to print out test results.

Use RF inductance meters for inductors designed for operation over 100 kHz

If you need to measure the inductance of slug-tuned or toroidal-wound inductors that are designed for RF, you should use an RF inductance meter in order to obtain the best accuracy. That's because the core permeability of these types of inductors is optimized for operation at RF frequencies, i.e. 3-to-30 MHz.
Try:  Monty Northrup gives a full description of his design of an RF inductance meter. The information includes performance calculations and is complete enough to enable hobbyists to build them in their electronics labs. Similarly, Lloyd Butler has a site where he gives a full description of his design for an RF Inductance meter.