Summary of Very Accurate LC Meter based on PIC16F628A using pic microcontroller
This Accurate LC Meter project allows precise measurement of inductance (10nH to 100mH) and capacitance (0.1pF to 900nF) with 1% accuracy, featuring full automatic ranging and a reset function for baseline adjustment. It uses an LM311 IC as a frequency generator and a programmed PIC16F628A microcontroller to calculate values and display results on a 16x2 LCD with backlight. Its high-quality components and auto-ranging capability make it suitable for professionals needing accurate, easy-to-read inductance/capacitance measurements without manual range selection.
Parts used in the Accurate LC Meter:
- 16x2 LCD Display with Green / Blue Backlight
- PIC16F628A Programmed Microcontroller
- LM311 IC
- Accurate LC Meter PCB with red solder mask
- Enclosure
- Gold Plated Machined 18 DIP IC Socket
- Gold Plated Machined 8 DIP IC Socket
- L/C Pushbutton Switch with Black Cap
- Tactile momentary reset switch with Black Cap
- Gold Plated 16-PIN LCD Female Header
- Gold Plated 16-PIN LCD Male Header
- Gold Plated 2-PIN Header
- Gold Plated 1-PIN Header (2 pieces)
- 4.000 MHz Crystal
- High Precision 82uH Inductor
- 5V Ceramic Reed Relay
- LM7805 Regulator
- 10K LCD Contrast Trimmer
- 1000pF High Precision WIMA Capacitor (2 pieces)
- 100nF High Quality WIMA Capacitor
- 10pF High Stability Capacitor (2 pieces)
- 10uF Panasonic Capacitor (2 pieces)
- 10 1% Metal Film Resistor
- 1K 1% Metal Film Resistor
- 6.8K 1% Metal Film Resistor (2 pieces)
- 47K 1% Metal Film Resistor
- 100K 1% Metal Film Resistor (3 pieces)
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This is one of the most accurate and simplest LC inductance / capacitance Meters that one can find, yet one that you can easily build yourself. This LC Meter allows to measure incredibly small inductances starting from 10nH to 1000nH, 1uH to 1000uH, 1mH to 100mH and capacitance from 0.1pF up to 900nF. LC Meter’s circuit uses an auto ranging system so that way you do not need to spend time selecting ranges manually. Another neat function is reset switch that will reset the initial inductance / capacitance, making sure that the final readings of the LC Meter are as accurate as possible. |
Special Edition Accurate LC Meter Kit
Special Edition LC Meter Kit includes top notch high precision components that are only found in premium quality kits. It includes high quality double-sided printed circuit board (PCB) with red solder mask and pre-soldered tracks for easier soldering, LCD display with yellow-green LED backlight, programmed PIC16F628A microcontroller chip, high precision capacitors and inductor, 1% Metal Film resistors, Machined IC Sockets, gold plated header pins, LCD header connectors and all the other components that are needed to build a premium quality kit. Thanks to the use of LCD connectors LCD display can be detached from the main PCB board at any time even after the kit has been assembled. Special Edition Accurate LC Meter is designed for professionals that require unprecedented measurement accuracy and offers great value at low cost. |
How does LC Meter Work?
To be able to determine the value of an unknown inductor / capacitor we can use the frequency formula given below. Note that there are three variables that we can work with; f, L and C (f represents a frequency, L inductance and C capacitance). If we know the values of the two variables we may calculate the value of the third variable. Lets say we want to determine the value of an unknown inductor with X inductance. We plug X inductance into the formula and we also use value of a known capacitor. Using this data we can calculate the frequency. Once we know the frequency we can use the power of the algebra and rewrite the above formula to solve for L (inductance). This time we will use the calculated frequency and a value of a known capacitor to calculate the inductance. Isn’t this amazing? We just calculated the value of unknown inductor, and we may use the same technique to solve for the unknown capacitance and even frequency. |
Applying the Theory to LC Meter’s Hardware
LC Meter’s Switches
Reset Switch – Resets capacitance / inductance readings |
For more detail: Very Accurate LC Meter based on PIC16F628A