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LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review

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  • LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review
    The microprocessor-based electronic component tester will appear in July 2017 in gadgets electroda.pl . The tester automatically detects the type and pinout of the connected component, and displays the measured parameters of the part under test. The tester is powered by a 9V battery and draws 12-15mA while in sleep mode according to the description 20nA (but in practice the current value should be lower, I have not been able to measure the current value in sleep mode).

    The component to be tested is connected ever under three (or two) available leads, the measurement starts when the microstick is pressed. Before measuring capacitance, the capacitors to be tested must be discharged. After unpacking the new tester, calibration should be carried out, this is done by connecting leads 1-2-3 together with minimum resistance (e.g. with two jumpers made of silver or redundant resistor terminals). Press the microstick and the calibration begins, at 38% you will be asked to remove the jumpers, at 82% connect a previously prepared capacitor of more than 100nF to leads 1-3.

    Type of components tested and parameters checked:
    -capacitors: capacitance 25pf-100,000uF, ESR, Vloss
    -nPN, PNP bipolar transistors: hFE, Uf
    -mOSFET field effect transistors N channel, P channel: gate threshold voltage and capacitance
    -jFET junction field-effect transistors: Vgs, I
    -diodes and double diodes: conduction voltage and capacitance
    -resistors, measurement of resistance of two resistors simultaneously: up to 50MΩ
    -Inductance 0.01mH-20H and winding resistance
    -thyristors, triacs
    Such possibilities are included in the description, but it is worth checking for yourself.

    Because one picture is better than many words, below is an animated gif with test results for diodes, bipolar and field-effect transistors, thyristor, resistors, capacitors and inductance, at the end of this text you will also find a video of the device testing.
    LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review
    The accuracy of the M328 tester compares very favourably with a multimeter.
    The first column is informatively the type of component to be tested, the second is the result of the multimeter measurement, the third is the uncertainty of the multimeter measurement, the fourth is the result of the tester measurement, in the fifth column the difference between the multimeter and tester readings.
    element multimeter uncertainty +/- tester difference in readings
    resistor 118Ω 0,54Ω 117.3Ω 0,7Ω
    resistor 9.97kΩ 0,04kΩ 10.18kΩ 0,21kΩ (2%)
    resistor 99,4kΩ 0.4kΩ 99, 12kΩ 0,28kΩ
    resistor 1,518MΩ 0,02MΩ 1.521MΩ 0,003MΩ
    resistor 10,11MΩ 0.2MΩ 10.17MΩ 0,006MΩ
    choke 0,107mH / 0.08Ω 0.012mH / 0,06Ω 0.10mH / 0.7Ω 0,007mH / 0.62Ω (775%)
    choke 5,14mH / 8.44Ω 0.2mH / 0.09Ω 5.23mH / 8,9Ω 0.09mH / 0,46Ω (5%)
    choke 9,83mH / 14.42Ω 0.3mH / 0.12Ω 10.2mH / 15.0Ω 0.37mH / 0.58Ω (4%)
    capacitor 0,28nF 0.03nF 0.277nF 0,003nF
    capacitor 4,70nF 0.07nF 4,854nF 0,154nF
    capacitor 99,5nF 1.1nF 103nF 3,5nF
    capacitor 983nF 0,01nF 1013nF a0bebebef971 30nF (3%)
    capacitor 100uF 4uF 99,63uF 0,37uF
    capacitor 985uF 54uF 968,1uF 16,9uF
    diode 0,555V 0.007V 0.683V 0,128V (23%)
    diode 0,250V 0,004V 0, 339V 0,089V (35%)

    I was really surprised when it turned out that in many cases the difference in the reading is close to the uncertainty of the multimeter measurement. Where the difference was a minimum of 10x the measurement uncertainty I entered the percentage difference from the multimeter result and the tester result. The Sanwa PC500a multimeter was used to measure resistance and capacitance and the UT58D was used to measure inductance.
    You can see the error when measuring low resistances of inductive elements, and when measuring the voltage drop on a diode (probably the tester tests diodes with a different current than the multimeter and that is why the differences appeared).
    I'm curious to know what the scatter of parameters is and what accuracies the other units of the tester obtain, if you carry out tests with your testers please write in this topic what results were obtained. I will be happy to hear your opinion on this useful device, which, in my opinion, will be useful in every workshop.
    As a bonus: changing the firmware and adding my own logo in the LCR-T4.



    Cool? Ranking DIY
    About Author
    TechEkspert
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    TechEkspert wrote 6906 posts with rating 5385, helped 16 times. Been with us since 2014 year.
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  • #2 16557134
    p.obelix
    Refrigeration equipment specialist  
    There is no information for how many points this instrument will be available. Maybe you already know?
  • #3 16557322
    koala106
    Level 39  
    I had and used this tester - it worked well, now I gave it to my father, and I use the newer one on a colored display with a built-in battery.
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  • #4 16557344
    HD-VIDEO
    Level 43  
    This model has no protection, eg before a charged capacitor, it would be useful for HEX to be available for this model in case of
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  • #5 16557394
    pawelr98
    Level 39  
    It would be useful in the workshop. The most useful is probably the measurement of inductivity. I could knit my own coils based on electronic scrap. Most cores are no-name so the inductance of such a coil is a mystery. I am waiting impatiently for the appearance of this gadget. You will need to collect some more points until then.
  • #6 16557424
    Karaczan
    Level 42  
    I have such a modified T4 yolk. There is even a topic about this model with us on the forum. Very interesting equipment, with quite nice features and generally sufficient accuracy in amateur applications. He can do more than one multimeter, being simple to use and interpret results. Well done for the idea, it will probably be useful to not one Electrodowicz! ;)
  • #7 16557506
    george2002

    Level 21  
    mozekam wrote:
    Like koala106 I use a tester in a white housing with a colored display. LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review The device is useful, for example, to quickly check if the element is working at all.
    And as with the accuracy of this white color LCD compared to the yellow one that was presented by TechExpert's colleague :) ?
    Company Account:
    GS electronic Grzegorz Stoliński
    2 Pułku Lotniczego 18, Kraków, 31-857 | Company Website: www.gselectronic.pl
  • #9 16557564
    HD-VIDEO
    Level 43  
    These testers are based on the same design and the differences are only in the displays used and in the power supply method, eg a 3.7V type 14500 battery. LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review All of them use 1%, 680? / 470k? resistors, less often with a better reference voltage, and the rest make the software. Such a graphic is also more attractive than a display of 2x 16 alphanumeric characters. The DIY version has open source code and there are often patches or some functions are added and the "Chinese" ones do not show on what version of the software they work; who corrected her. If there are any "bugs" in the software, there is no way to improve it.
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  • #10 16557598
    koala106
    Level 39  
    For me, the accuracy of measurement is - it is sufficient. He treats it as a tester, if the elements are operational - in multimetrs I had, I did not have the large capacity measurement - here 47.000 uF without stuttering. Beta and Rds roughly and quickly determines whether the element is ok. Large distortion on the diodes - a multimeter is something else.
  • #11 16557976
    Stanley_P
    Level 28  
    Kubas wrote:
    where can it be purchased?
    Hello. We just recently acquired a few such ready-made products in the cabinet, as presented on the photo @mozekam, only marked T7. How I suppose a newer version, although it looks the same from the outside. Purchased in Poland, although it is known where they were brought from. I will not advertise the store, everyone has Google. If someone does not care about delivery time, invoice, etc., it can be purchased directly from a Chinese, e.g. on Aliexpress. About $ 30. I may say: I am still impressed. Of course, this is not a superprofessional instrument, but I think it is very helpful for an amateur electronics or a workshop technician. I will even venture to say that it is indispensable nowadays. The more so because the price in relation to the possibility is very reasonable. Banal service: we connect the tested element basically almost in any way, we press Start and ... ready. If I had something like that from 30 years ago, I would probably go on the ceiling with happiness ;) In comparison to the one presented in the first post, this "ready" additionally may: - measure Zener diodes to 30V (I checked: on pins A, K actually appears voltage around 37V), - check the infrared remote controls (IR diode visible on the casing), - has a built-in rechargeable Lion (voltage shown at the device startup), charged by a standard microUSB connector. Therefore, it is not possible to replace the battery, and you can charge from any USB port or adapter "from the cell". Anyway, there are videos on the net that present the capabilities of these devices. Greetings.
  • #12 16558014
    koala106
    Level 39  
    I bought it on Aliexpress - it was 3 weeks, I'm also impressed - the price is less than 30 $ - it has earned itself with a vengeance. Generally, now for Aliexpress, the electronics is a real mine - a mass of interesting devices and ideas, as if I had such a 20 years ago - I would fly like a previous speaker :) but even today it is useful despite less time for picking.
  • #13 16558110
    E8600
    Level 41  
    Mostly it would be useful to make your own coils / chokes as already mentioned. Please correct the error in the table (775%) ??? Because he's hurting his eyes. :)
  • #14 16558318
    Stanley_P
    Level 28  
    Mainly for making coils / chokes? Well, unless someone has such a major hobby ;) After all, toto can detect (!) And measure (!) Almost any discrete elements from the electronics drawer (or repaired customer's equipment). You put a resistor and after a while you have a resistor and capacitor, you insert a capacitor - you have a capacitor and capacitance, diode - there is a diode (you see where A, where K, voltage drop at the connector), transistor - there is a transistor (type, field, bipolar, type connectors eg N, P, detects outputs eg where is BCE, amplification, etc.) - and so on, etc. Obviously, it probably will not recognize everything 100% correctly, eg I tried a FET transistor - it showed S and D depending on the connection (gate is always correct), it will not replace the multimeter or specialized instruments, eg RLC bridges, etc. I will say maybe : this tester will be appreciated by anyone who deals with the workshop electronics. Especially those who started their adventure some 25 or more years ago, not now when almost everything is ... ready. This device, too ;) Greetings. PS Aha, of course, also detects / measures coils / inductance. I checked even on a fast network hit - it detected, measured, EDIT Anyway, not to beat the foam, let anyone who has not seen and interested, with a Polish teacher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmE2hxT4u2o
  • #15 16558485
    E8600
    Level 41  
    link The colleague has already developed and expanded this system. ;)
  • #16 16558624
    MiernikZKauflanda
    Level 20  
    Does anyone know for what period of time will you get that tester and how many pieces will it be?
  • #17 16558649
    vodiczka
    Level 43  
    MiernikZKauflanda wrote:
    Does anyone know for what period of time will you get that tester and how many pieces will it be?
    Do you want to receive this visit regularly shop :) Gulson does not say how many pieces he "throws at the store" and how long it will depend on the demand. The first batch of USB Keweisi KWS-V20 spread within a few days and now they are lying and waiting for the willing.
  • #18 16558658
    Stanley_P
    Level 28  
    E8600 wrote:
    link The colleague has already developed and expanded this system. ;)
    Just to be clear: You are now writing about the device from the first post of the topic. I wrote about a different model, "ready", containing already option to test Zener diodes, IR remotes, battery and USB charging port, color display, and is enclosed in a housing. However, both of them allow to measure inductivity immediately, without any modifications ;)
  • #20 16559049
    TechEkspert
    Editor  
    I did not know that there is a "color" version of this tester :) @mozekam great, the comparison is always useful. @ HD-VIDEO do you have a link to the DIY version of this construction with open source code? E8600 @ I expected that 775% would arouse interest, I compared the absolute difference between the result of the measurement with the multimeter and the tester's indication, where the difference was min. 10x greater than the uncertainty of the measurement with the multimeter I indicated an additional percentage, which determines how many percent of the multimeter indication is the mentioned difference in indications (this kind of error display). It just so happens that the measurement of low winding resistance is fraught with error. An example of a choke according to the multimeter had a resistance of 0.08? +/- 0.06? and the tester indicated 0.62? which is a value over 7x greater than the meter's indication, i.e. 775% :) @Adamcyn the store is not really, more distribution of gadgets, it is empty because everything has been chosen, there were soldering sets, there were also ESP8266: https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3338096.html there is a chance for many other interesting things, details here : https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic1635313-540.html#16522042
  • #21 16559370
    bestler
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    I use an identical tester as in the first thread and for convenience and safety I put it in a practical, convenient and cheap housing with a transparent lid: LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review The original ZIF socket is, let's say, moderate quality, and after a few times the plates are made and the elements are removed from the socket when placed in the socket will not have a good contact. The second problem related to this basis was the inability to place elements thicker than eg 1/4 resistors. In the legs - simply leads with a larger diameter than the legs of the power transistors do not fit and even destroy it. I quickly applied temporary - as it seemed to me at the time the solution, which turned out to be flawless for me and I would rather not change anything. LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review As usual screws, insulating sleeves for transistors, eg TO220, soldered tips, washers and nuts are used. From the outside I placed a piece of laminate in case there was a need to solder the element, however, as so far, and I use a tester in this case, it was not necessary to solder for over a year. All measurements can be successfully performed by holding down the element pressed to visible terminals for a few seconds. In general, I recommend such encapsulation of the tester, cost about 20 PLN that is small, work a small amount, some glue from the gun and we are sure that nothing will damage and the tester will serve us a long time. LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review LCR-T4 electronics components tester ATMega328 - Test and Review The housing used can be found on the auctions by entering in the search engine: HERMETIC SURFACE BOX 120x80x50 S-BOX 216P, there are different sizes and shapes, which makes them applicable also to other devices in my service.
  • #22 16559379
    silvvester
    Level 25  
    I also noticed an error when measuring BF199. The second error is the change in the displayed value depending on the battery voltage. Other inconveniences include poor display resolution of inductance and no measurement below 20 pF.
  • #24 16560341
    Stanley_P
    Level 28  
    TechEkspert wrote:
    It just so happens that the measurement of low winding resistance is fraught with error. An example of a choke according to the multimeter had a resistance of 0.08? +/- 0.06? and the tester indicated 0.62? which is a value over 7x greater than the meter's indication, i.e. 775% :)
    And you checked what the minimum resistance (short circuit) shows? Out of curiosity, I looked in my T7 - it detects a 0.00-0.01? resistor, sometimes it will "jump" 0.03-0.04, I made a short circuit on the hooks supplied in the set. PS Similarly as the pre-writers mentioned earlier, I treat the device more as a tester than a measuring instrument, although in most of the workshop applications I consider it to be sufficiently accurate. I would even say, especially considering the price - amazingly accurate ;)
  • #25 16560366
    @GUTEK@
    Level 31  
    Stanley_P wrote:
    And you checked what the minimum resistance (short circuit) shows? Out of curiosity, I looked in my T7 - it detects a 0.00-0.01? resistor, sometimes it will "jump" 0.03-0.04, I made a short circuit on the hooks supplied in the set
    Did you perform the tester calibration?
  • #26 16560385
    Stanley_P
    Level 28  
    Yes of course. All 3 hooks together, or a jumper included in the kit (I have not even unpacked yet ;) )
  • #27 16561126
    TechEkspert
    Editor  
    @Stanley_P thank you for the hint, I forgot to write about the device calibration. I added calibration information to the material. In the tested unit, the measurement results are shorted as follows: 1-2 0.66? 2-3 0.00? 1-3 0.02?
  • #29 16561381
    Stanley_P
    Level 28  
    TechEkspert wrote:
    @Stanley_P Thank you for the hint, I forgot to write about the device calibration.
    Thank your colleague @@ GUTEK @, he used the word first ;)
    TechEkspert wrote:
    In the tested unit, a short circuit of the measurement leads gives the following results: 1-2 0.66?
    And the problem of "overstated" resistance of the coil of this 0.62? reactor has probably been clarified. Try to repeat the measurements of the same element connected to the other lead combinations (1-3,2-3). Here I will add that in my T7 the measurement of resistance "short circuit" regardless of the chosen combination gives similar results of approx. 0.00-0.01?. Maybe I came across a better stand ;)
  • #30 16561421
    @GUTEK@
    Level 31  
    I remembered one more thing. Only now I will not check because on this software, what I have is different. When the tester is turned on while holding down the button for a few seconds, the display contrast can be set. This probably was not written before.
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Topic summary

The LCR-T4 electronics components tester based on the ATMega328 microcontroller is a versatile, low-power device powered by a 9V battery, drawing 12-15mA during measurement and 20nA in sleep mode. It automatically detects component types and lead configurations, measuring parameters such as resistance, capacitance (up to 47,000µF), inductance, diode voltage drop, transistor type and pinout, and ESR. Calibration involves shorting the test leads and using a known capacitor above 100nF. The tester supports testing of discrete components including resistors, capacitors, diodes, bipolar and field-effect transistors, and thyristors, though it struggles with integrated LM series voltage regulators due to their complex internal structures. Accuracy is generally sufficient for amateur and workshop use, with some noted measurement deviations, especially in low resistance and inductance readings. The device features a white LCD display, with some users comparing it to yellow LCD variants and color display models with built-in batteries. The ZIF socket is a known weak point, prone to contact issues and limited to thin leads; users recommend alternative housings and socket modifications for durability. The ribbon cable connecting the display is fragile and non-replaceable separately, requiring careful handling. The tester is available as a DIY kit with open-source firmware and as ready-made units, purchasable from Chinese suppliers and local Polish sellers, with prices around $30 or 25-40 PLN depending on housing and shipping. Shipping damage to displays has been reported due to insufficient packaging, prompting suggestions for improved protection. Firmware variations exist, affecting features like contrast adjustment and component recognition. The device is highly regarded for its ease of use, broad functionality, and value for money, making it a popular gadget among electronics hobbyists. Community discussions include suggestions for further development, housing designs, and integration of the elektroda.pl logo for uniqueness.
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