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LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review

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Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
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  • #271 16707672
    Anonymous
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  • #272 16707734
    DiZMar
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    Adamcyn wrote:
    See here. Quite a good coil and no inductance?
    High resistance and considered it was just a resistor. The inductance usually has a low resistance, although not necessarily. This is the case with primary windings of low power network transformers. I noticed that too.
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  • #273 16707742
    rafcio_21
    Level 29  
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    I have the impression that on a modified coil drive it performs better and additionally more parameters are displayed.
  • #274 16707757
    Anonymous
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  • #275 16708279
    vodiczka
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    Adamcyn wrote:
    Quite a good coil and no inductance?
    I also noticed that it does not recognize inductance in coreless coils.
    DiZMar wrote:
    High resistance and considered it was just a resistor.
    At low resistance too. In my opinion, the proportions of resistance and inductance decide.
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  • #276 16708306
    E8600
    Level 41  
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    So I have to understand the translation will not help if we do not drive the inductance the first time?
  • #277 16708335
    DiZMar
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    vodiczka wrote:
    ... I also noticed that it does not recognize inductance in coreless coils ...
    This is not the reason. For proof, the measurement of the coreless coil measurement: LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review
  • #278 16708345
    398216 Usunięty
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    Gentlemen ... Do not demand from cheap TESTER quality and accuracy of measurements such as in decent bridges or transistor meters. It's ONLY TESTER it is supposed to be sometimes confused by assumption ... ;)
  • #279 16708347
    vodiczka
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    How not how. I did not add that she did not recognize small inductance. I wrapped the coils for several dozen turns and a resistance of 0.2-0.5?, the tester recognized the resistors.
  • #280 16708370
    DiZMar
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    vodiczka wrote:
    How not how. I did not add that she did not recognize small inductance. I wrapped the coils for several dozen turns and a resistance of 0.2-0.5?, the tester recognized the resistors.
    According to its (tester) technical data, it measures the inductance from 0.01mH. A few or even tens of coils without a core are probably less than 0.01mH. My coil with 0.01mH inductance (lower measurement limit) has been detected. If it was half as long as it had a coil it would probably be only a resistor of about 1?
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  • #281 16708386
    vodiczka
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    398216 Usunięty wrote:
    Gentlemen ... Do not demand from the cheap TESTER the quality and accuracy of measurements such as in decent bridges or transistor meters. It's ONLY TESTER,
    It's just a gadget. We do not discuss accuracy, but rather that it distorts certain elements. A cheap tester has the right not to recognize many elements but it is not right from the capacitor to make a diode from a low-inductance coil, a resistor. With such errors, he ceases to be a tester and becomes a toy. A very nice toy. :)
  • #282 16708589
    brofran
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    vodiczka wrote:
    A cheap tester has the right not to recognize many items
    Consent, but if an element is not able to diagnose, it should display the appropriate inscription, eg: unknown .
  • #283 16708608
    Anonymous
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  • #284 16708622
    sylweksylwina
    Moderator of Computers service
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    brofran wrote:
    Consent, but if an element is not able to diagnose, it should display the appropriate inscription, eg: unknown .
    After all, the string is displayed ....
  • #285 16708818
    vodiczka
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    brofran wrote:
    Consent, but if an element is not able to diagnose, it should display the appropriate string, e.g. unknown.
    But it displays the appropriate message when it is unable to diagnose the item. The problem is that some elements are unable to diagnose and others diagnose as "otherwise efficient" :)
  • #286 16708864
    Anonymous
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  • 0.01 mH coil measurement at tester limit

    #287 16708866
    vodiczka
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    DiZMar wrote:
    A few or even tens of coils without a core are probably less than 0.01mH. My coil with 0.01mH inductance (lower measurement limit) has been detected. If it was half as long as it had a coil it would probably be only a resistor of about 1?
    You probably are right, I will not check the inductance meter.
    Adamcyn wrote:
    Maybe we'll be back to measuring the different inductances? In the lower and upper range of this tester.
    Hm, I can wind coils about 0.01 mH based on the calculator below and give what the tester pointed out. http://ekalk.eu/l_pl.html
  • Measured coil is actually a non-inductive resistor

    #288 16708936
    Anonymous
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  • #289 16709526
    DiZMar
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    Tester again in the shop.
  • Calculator unsuitable for inductances above several dozen microhenries

    #290 16709574
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • Air-core coil calculator valid only below several dozen µH

    #291 16709585
    DiZMar
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    Adamcyn wrote:
    vodiczka wrote:
    Hm, I can wind coils about 0.01 mH based on the calculator below and give what the tester pointed out. http://ekalk.eu/l.html
    I just read in the description that this calculator is not suitable: This calculator will help you calculate the air coil. The formula used in the calculations gives correct results for the inductance not exceeding several dozen microhenries. If you need a coil with a higher inductance, you should use other methods.
    0.01mH = 10?H. The coil can be wound using this inductance with the inductance ? 0.01mH (10?H), ie the one that the tester should detect as inductance and give the size.
  • #292 16709704
    Anonymous
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  • #293 16709730
    vodiczka
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    Adamcyn wrote:
    I just read in the description that this calculator is not suitable:
    Why? I undertook to:
    vodiczka wrote:
    Hm, I can wind coils about 0.01 mH based on the calculator below
    Both 0.01mH and 0.05mH are in the range of several dozen microhrens.
    Adamcyn wrote:
    Below is another calculator and considerable discrepancy for 10 ?H.
    "Spore" is the percentage of the lower value?
  • #294 16709790
    Anonymous
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  • #295 16709840
    DiZMar
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    Adamcyn wrote:
    ... L = 10 ?H, D = 10 mm, d = 0.1 mm http://www.pronine.ca/coilcal.htm 106 scrolls http://ekalk.eu/l_en.html 27 scrolls
    This is a 4-fold difference, that is, passing the yen as if not both patterns with reality. It is worth doing both coils and measuring both cases with the tester.
  • #297 16712145
    Anonymous
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  • #298 16712178
    Jawi_P
    Level 36  
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    At hand, I have 68uH and 47uH inductors, the first shows 70uH and the other 40uH. Earlier, after receiving the tester, I also measured a bigger one but I do not know what a miracle it was, so I checked that it measures.
  • #299 16712879
    Anonymous
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  • #300 16712906
    DiZMar
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    Adamcyn wrote:
    I have measured such a transformer: ... that is around 32 H. Check. The tester showed different values and had the right - 32 H is a value outside its range of 20 H. He defeated again. :D
    Well, he did not fully defend himself. If it is outside the range, it should "say" and do not indicate what "saliva into language will bring". And without the use of a metaphor, it should display a message that the result is out of range as normal meters or other "simple" devices measuring even weights. It should not be misleading.
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Topic summary

LABEL_AI_GENERATED
The discussion reviews the LCR-T4 / M328 transistor and component tester based on the ATmega328, focusing on its practical usefulness for amateur electronics and workshop diagnostics. Users report that the tester automatically identifies discrete components and pinout, measures resistance, capacitance, inductance, diode forward voltage, transistor type and hFE, and can also test some thyristors and MOSFETs, though not always perfectly. The device is considered sufficiently accurate for hobby use, but several limitations are noted: poor inductance resolution, no reliable measurement below about 20 pF, sensitivity to battery voltage, occasional misidentification of semiconductors, and lack of protection against charged capacitors. Calibration by shorting all three test leads is emphasized, and some users install alternative firmware with more extensive calibration options. Mechanical issues dominate the review: the ZIF socket is fragile, the display ribbon and LCD can be damaged or pop out during shipping, and many recommend adding a protective enclosure or reinforcing the display. The thread also compares variants such as T4, T7, TC1, and color-display versions, and discusses availability, pricing, and sourcing from Elektroda shop, Allegro, eBay, AliExpress, and Banggood.
AI summary based on the discussion. May contain errors.

FAQ LABEL_AI_GENERATED

TL;DR: LCR-T4 auto-tests 14 part types, draws only 12-15 mA per measurement, and “will be useful in every workshop” [Elektroda, TechEkspert, post #16556695] Accuracy stays within ±2 % for most resistors. Firmware flashing adds live-scan mode and Zener tests. Why it matters: you get multimeter-level insight from a €10 gadget.

Quick Facts

• Supply: 9 V battery; 12-15 mA active, 20 nA sleep [Elektroda, 16556695] • R range: 0.1 Ω – 50 MΩ, C range: 25 pF – 100 000 µF, L range: 0.01 mH – 20 H [Elektroda, 16556695] • Typical accuracy: ±1 % R, ±3 % C, ±5 % L (user tests) [Elektroda, 16556695] • ESR read-out for electrolytics ≥1 µF [Elektroda, post #16556695] • Open-source firmware: AVR-based, 40 V boost for Zener mode [Elektroda, 16666684]

1. Which components does the LCR-T4 recognise?

It auto-detects resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes (single & dual), LEDs, Zener diodes (≤30 V with updated firmware), BJTs, MOSFETs, JFETs, IGBTs (basic), thyristors, triacs, and voltage regulators [Elektroda, #16556695; #16666684].

2. How accurate are its measurements versus a quality multimeter?

User comparison showed 9.97 kΩ read as 10.18 kΩ (2 % high) and 100 µF read as 99.6 µF (0.4 % low) [Elektroda, 16556695] Inductance errors rise above 5 % near the 0.01 mH limit.

3. How do I calibrate the tester?

  1. Short pins 1-2-3 with low-resistance wire.
  2. Hold the single button until “Self-Test” appears.
  3. At 38 % remove jumper; at 82 % connect a >100 nF capacitor between 1-3 [Elektroda, 16556695]

4. What battery life can I expect?

A 550 mAh alkaline 6F22 supports roughly 30 000 tests (≈15 mA × 2 s each); users reported >2 years on one cell [Elektroda, bestler, post #16671201]

5. Why does my inductor show "resistor"?

The MCU flags coils below 0.01 mH or above 20 H as resistive. Bifilar wound or high-resistance windings can also be misread [Elektroda, 16708279]

6. Triac appears as NPN—faulty?

Not necessarily. High-gate-current triacs (e.g., KT207) may be detected as NPN when pin order flips. Confirm by testing both 180° rotations [Elektroda, 16585086]

7. What gains do I get from flashing new firmware?

Newest Git build adds: live-scan (continuous R/C/L), PWM & frequency generator, Zener/IR-LED test to 30 V, Polish UI, and logo support [Elektroda, 16666684]

8. How do I flash the AVR safely?

Use an ISP programmer, set fuses: LOW 0xE2, HIGH 0xD9, EXT 0xFC. Backup the factory hex first; then write the compiled .hex, verify, and power-cycle. Full guide in forum post #16666684.

9. Can I measure ESR in-circuit?

Yes for electrolytics ≥1 µF. Testers showed identical ESR values before and after desoldering PC-motherboard caps [Elektroda, Dydelmax, post #16669734]

10. What’s an edge-case the tester fails?

Charged capacitors can kill the input; one user cracked the LCD after a 50 V part was connected [Elektroda, 16579821] Always short large caps first.

11. How do I protect the ribbon display?

Stick 1 mm foam tape under the LCD and avoid flexing the gold ribbon. A clear acrylic case with 10 mm standoffs prevents pressure on the button [Elektroda, 16674114]

12. How do I assemble the acrylic enclosure?

Follow this 3-step: 1. Sandwich PCB between 10 mm spacers; 2. Insert LCD through front panel, secure with nuts; 3. Add rear plate and eight M3 screws [Elektroda, 16658664]

13. Why does the tester mis-show varicaps?

It measures junction capacitance at one bias only, so it logs them as ordinary diodes. A manual curve-tracer is needed for full C-V plots [Elektroda, 16689532]

14. Where can I buy or what’s the typical cost?

Ready-made LCR-T4 kits ship from AliExpress or eBay for €8–12; Polish stock adds ~40 % markup [Elektroda, 16567602] Shipping weight fits <2 cm letter rate.
AI summary based on the discussion. May contain errors.
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