as 2 UFO oIGITAL vo VS ‘CAPACITANCE X00 puFO ws » TESTER BY THOMAS R. FOX CAPACITANCE METER Provides digital display of capacitance from 100 pF to 1000 wF. APACITORS are almost as numer- fous as resistors in many electronic circuits. Yet, while most of us have ‘ohmmeters we can use to check resistor values readily, very few have instru- ments that check capacitor values. Al- though, in most cases, the actual capa- citance value is not important, there are some circuits—time bases, oscillators, ‘tc.—whore the actual value of a capa. citor can be very important The Digital Capacitance Meter de- scribed here is a simple, low-cost instru- ‘ment that can be used in much the same manner as an ohmmeter to check the values of capacitors. It has a two-digit display and a measurement range from 100 pF to 1000 pF. Tose it, you simply ‘connect the capacitor to be measured between a pair of binding posts and press a button. The value of the capaci- tor is then indicated in the display. All test potentials are less than 2 volts. The instrument even has a low-baltery alert BB 50 Bigeeke Fig. 1. Block diagram shows basic operation of eapacitance meter. {if it is battery powered); when the po- tential supplied by the battery falls below 4.5 volts the display indicates 00. ircuit Operation. The basic opera- tion is illustrated by the block diagram shown in Fig. 1, while the complete schematic diagram is shown in Fig. 2 Transistors Q1 and Q2 are arranged to form a free-running multivibrator ‘square-wave generator that operates at about 1 kHz. The square-wave output forms one input for a two-nput NAND gate (part of IC7), while the otner gate input comes trom a timer circuit consist- ing of IC6 and two gates of IC2. The length of time that the IC6 output is at "1" is determined by the value of the un- known capacitor connected between binding posts BP ard BP2, and the tim ing (range) resistor selected by one sec- tion of S3. With the timing resistor fixed, the time period is then proportional to the unknown capacitor value. The out- put of the NAND gate drops to zero only When both inputs are positive. Because the 1-kHz square waves are now gated by the timer duration, only the amount of POPULAR ELECTRONICSFip. 2 Transistors Qi and Qe generate the L-kFfe squareavave input to {C1. ‘The other input comes from IC6 and two gates of IC2. The output of decade counter ICS is determined by the Length of the second input. PARTS UST BPI,BP2—S-way binding posts, one wed, one lack C1,C2-0.05,pF Mylar or polystyrene capa- oe 30.005 6 expacior C4,CS--0.01 pF capacitor 6. Leak. DIR-ANGI3 diode orsimilar DISI,01S2—Common-anode 7-sepment LED (SLA Tersimilay ‘gated pulses can be counted by the fol- lowing decade counter [C3. The output of this counter is a gated 100-Hz signal Selector switch $3 allows the choice of bypassing this decade counter when $3 isin the 100-pF position ‘The selected gated pulses are fed toa pair of conventional decade counter/ seven-segment LED drivers, and their associated readouts, The two-digit dis- play can handle a count up to “99", and if the 100th count is reached, the output pulse from ICS is coupled via C3 to a flip-lop consisting of two gates ot ICI. ‘When this flip-flop operates, it turns on the over indicator LED. If desired, this discrete LED can be replaced by one of the colon points in the second decade APRIL 1977 RY megohr, YW rosie ACLICE—Ta00 qual twolinput NAND gate RE—100,000-0hm viminer porentionster ary ‘R9_S000.chra immer potentiometer ACHICAICS-—1490 decade coomer(TTL) RIORI1—1000-ohm, 4-W resistor 15-535 dimer ‘RI2,R13—10,000-hm, 6-W esistor ACTACE—T447 BCD to T-segment decoder RI4—15,000-dhm, Y-W resistor am), 1S through R30—120-ohrn, 84-W resist LEDI—Ros LED ‘S1.S2—spit poshbuton switch Q1,Q2—2N388 transistor or similar S3—3pdt rotary switch URI 2100-shm, 44-W resistor Mise—Suiable enclosure, knob (1), mubber R3R4_15,000-chin, VeW, S& resistor fet (2), Battery holder (if used), line cord IRS.R6—S.anegohm wimmer potentiometer (@ used), mounting hardware, te Fig. 3. Shown are three possible designs for the meter power supply. st——————— MICROPROCESSOR BOOKS UH from ——_’ Osborne & Associates, Inc. ince we published our first AN INTRODUCTION TO MICROCOM- PUTERS in December, 1975, our books on microprocessors have dominated this market place, becoming the standard texts and reference books for the industry. Sales of our three current titles total fifteen thousand books per month and we have had more than three hundred university text adoptions. These are our current texts: NN AN INTRODUCTION TO MICROCOMPUTERS: ) VOLUMES | AND I VOLUME | — BASIC CONCEPTS takes you by the hand, trom elementary ogi and sim- ple binary arthmetic through the concepts which are shared by al microcomputers. tals You how to take an idea that may need @ microcomputer and creste a product that uses ‘ne, This book is complete — every aspect of microcomputersis covered: the logic devices ‘that constitute 9 microcomputer system: communicating with external loge via iterupts, ‘eect memory access, and serial or parle! I/O; microprogramming and macroprogram ‘ming: assemblers and assembier directives; inking and relocation — everything you need 10 know if you are going to select or use a microcomputer. Approximately 400 papes. Order pubscation romber 2001, Price: $7.50, VOLUME 1!—SOME REAL PRODUCTS covers real microcomputers, in considerable etait Every major microcomputer: 4-bit, B-bit or 16-bt, is described, including some soon te be anroinced products. Major chip slice products are also covered. More than 20 microcomputers. in al. Approximately 900 pages. Order publication number 3001 Price: $12.50 N 8080 PROGRAMMING FOR LOGIC DESIGN AND J 6800 PROGRAMMING FOR LOGIC DESIGN These are completely new books on a totaly new subject: implementing digital and com- binatoral logic using sssembly language within an 8060 or 6800 microcomputer system. What happens to fan-in and fan-out? How do you implement @ one-shot? These Books 'Smulate well known digital loge devices using assembly language: next they show you how to simulate an entre schematic, device by device, hening the assembly language simulation as close to the digtal logic as possible. But that isthe wrong way to use a microcomputer these books explain why, then show you the correct way. These books describe the meeting {ground of programmer and logic designer; they are written for both readers. Approximately 4300 pages each. Order pubfestion number 4001 (8080) ar S001 (S800) Price: $7.50 each, 1 For orders of ass than 10 books Osborne & Associates send check oF money order to: Depecement A P.O. Box 2036 Berkeley, CA 84702 1 Price includes Ath class mail dolivery within the U.S. in 3-4 weeks. For faster delvery send ‘$150 extra per book, shipping and handing 1 Calfomia rodents place include appropriate sales tax ‘ Invoicing avaiable on orders greater than 10 books any. For discount pricing information and hinping srangements on large orders contact Osborne and Associates, Department A, (415) 548-2005, «+ Foreign orders from Europe, Japan, Canad, Taiwan and Irae wil be forwarded tothe lcs! ‘dstributor. All other orders should inciade $3.00 axe, $0.50 surface mal shipping charges per book 82 cme oo OF FE WOMEN CRO counter. The system is reset to z*r0 ty pushbutton switch $1. Construction. The basic circuit can be assembled on a small piece of per- forated board using sockets for the IC's and transistors, and point-to-point wir- ing. Arrange the board layout so that the leads to pins 1, 6, and 7 of IC8 are as short as possible between the IC and the front-panel binding posts BP1 and BP2. The two LED readouts, and their as- sociated segment drivers (IC7,IC8) may be mounted on a separate small per- forated board so that they can be posi- tioned behind a “window” cut out of the selected chassis front panel. Select a metal enclosure large enough to accommodate the two elec- tronics boards, plus the power source. ‘The power source can either be a bat- tery sot ina plastic holder, or an ac lino- powered regulated S-volt supply as shown in Fig. 3. The CLEAR pushbutton ($1) and Test pushbutton (S2) switches, along with the range selector switch ($3), power on/off switch, and the two five-way binding posts (with BP1 being black and BP2 red) can be mounted on the front panel along with the readout “window”. The power line cord (if used) can exit via a ‘ern y* ~& BP ape 2 ro Ww he Pers om the font pose are well spread out snd will be sary to wire. Things cre a litle crowded on tho lol Leave tronstormer to last so it won't be in your way. Nolo that tansister QI ts mounted on side of cabinet withepory: photo on next page shows how. the capscitor from the binding posts, SIB shorts the capacitor under test through R7, a low-value resistor, when the checker is switched off Note in the schematic and photographs that M2 is provided with a 100-ma range. While no capaciter you wil test will have 100-ma leakage unless it’s internally shorted, the 100-ma range protects M2 against shorted capacitors and against damage when testing large value capacitors of 100 xf and higher Large capacitors pull a very heavy surge (charge) current when the test voltage is first applied. Construction ‘The tester is built on the main section of a 7x5x3in, Minibox. The layout is not at all critical ‘and just about any arrangement will work: the layout shown in the pictorial, November, 1969 however, makes for easy assembly. Except for TI and M1, make no substi- tutions as the component values are selected for the QI and M2 specified in the Parts List Transformer T1 can be any type with a 40-V. 20-ma (or higher) secondary while MI can ‘be any SO VDC meter. Meter M2 cannot be substituted for as meter shunts R4, RS and R6 are selected for the internal resistance of M2. Resistor R7, the discharge resistor, can be @ Iawatter between 15 and 27 ohms. First step is to temporarily mount the meters and then mack the position for the power-supply components on the left panel. stElectrolytic Leakage Checker ‘The meters must be mounted to insure that there is sufficient clearance for the terminal- strip lugs and C1. Then remove the meters and install alt” cabinet components. The meters may be damaged if you attempt to drill holes with them secured to the panel Double check St's connections before sol- dering the wires to it. When the power ter minals (SIA) are open the discharge termi nals (SIB) are closed. When power is ap- plied the discharge terminals (S1B) open. Meter M2's shunt switch, $3, can be any rotary type that will provide at least three positions; two positions are used for the 10- and 100-ma ranges while the unused teri nal provides the I-ma range—the basic meter range. Transistor QI should be installed with full- length leads. Through Qi can easily handle the dissipation required by capacitor tests it should be protected against a long-term high-current load (such as would be caused by'a shorted capacitor), by heat-sinking its case to cabinet. Cut a section of plastic tape about ¥4-in, square and coat one side with epoxy cement. Place the epoxy-coated side fn the cabinet near QI. Then coat the other side of the tape with epoxy and bend QI down so the top of the case is in the epoxy— the case should be resting against the tape. With a toothpick oF Q-tip, spread the epoxy up the sides of QI's case as shown in the Photo. When the epoxy dries Ql will be cemented and heat-sinked to the cabinet, yet the tape will insulate QL from the grounded scabines greater than 50 VDC to BPI and BP2. Set $2 t0 the 50-V position and $3 to the 100-ma position. Apply power by closing $1. With R1 in the off—full counterciockwise—po: tion, both meters should indicate zero, If either meter indicates anything other than zero there is a wiring error. Slowly advance Ri; both the VOM (or VIVM) and MI should indicate an increasing voltage as RI is advanced, Both meters should indicate the same voltage within the normal tolerance of few volts. There should be no indication fon M2 at this time. If M2 does indicate a current flow shut the checker down instantly and check for a wiring error. Whea RI is full clockwise both M1 and the VOM should in- 1 is comeniad to side of cabinet with epoxy. But ut electrical tape between top of traniator and Cabinet to the translator case won't be grounded. dicate the full test voltage of 50 Y, oF slightly higher depending on the particular T1 you Set RJ 0 off, then S1 to off, Set $2 to the 5-¥ range. Apply power and advance RI ‘The VOM and M1 should indicate a voltage range of from 0 to SV as RI is advanced Again, there should be no indication on M2. Using the Checker tis most important that RI be set to off full counterclockwise—when the checker is turned either on or off. Applyiag power with RI advanced and a capacitor connected to the binding posts can destroy the capacitor if RI is sec to a higher test voltage than the capacitor’s maximum rated voltage. Switeh- ing SI to off with RI advanced can cause ex. cess current through QI and M2 because R7 is switched across BPI and BP2 when SI is set (0 off. Remember, tests are started and completed with RI in’the off position ‘Observing polarity, connect a capacitor 10 BP! and BP2. Set $1 to on and SZ to the correct voltage and $3 to the 100-ma range. Very slowly advance R1 until M! indicates the capacitor’s rated voltage. As voltage is applied MI will indicate @ relatively high current as the capacitor charges—almost 100 ma on very large capacitor. Within a few seconds M2's indication will fall sharply, showing the capacitor has reached Electronics Ilustratedfem Capacitor undo exact vellage, | gp1.8p2—tnsulated binging post BRL—Fuilwave. bridge rectifier 1A, 200 PIV ‘Motorola NEP7E) CIACIB~20/20 pl, 150 V dual electoitic S0'Y DC voltmeter (Emico Model RF-214C, | ied 52 € 6057) M2L04 ‘ma DC millammeter (Emico Model RFZI4G. Aled 82°C 8012) Qunanetds transistor (REA) Fesotors: Me watt 10% unless otherwise ind charge. Then switch $3 to the 10- or I-ma range and note the current, The chart shows the maximum allowable leakage current for commonly-used capacitor values in the 0 to 100-VDC range. If the pacitor under test indicates higher leakage current than the value shown, it should be rejected. After about 20 seconds a good capacitor should setile down and the feakage current will indicate a rock-steady value. If the leak- ‘age current pulses you can safely suspect the capacitor will give rouble at a later date Large value capacitors, however (more than 1,000 uf) have a tendency to pulse very slightly, perhaps one meter scale division, and this should be accepted as normal. Capacitors ean be re-formed by slowly in- creasing applied voltage over a relatively long time period, For example, assume you want to use a 50-V capacitor that has been sitting on the shelf for several years. Con- rect the capacitor to the binding posts and apply a fow voltage, say, 5 V. When the leakage current has settled down to a con- Sant value increase the applied voltage to 10. Again, after the leakage current main- lains a constant value increase the applied voltage further. repeating the procedure until the capacitor’s rated voltage is reached. November, 1969 R2—4.700 ohms R5—470 ohm Re—10 ohms, 5% R539 ohm 59% Re—36 ohms, 5% RY—22 ohm, J watt (e S2—SPOr twnale or slie switen S5—SR triple throw rotary switch (aoe text) fsoped @ 95 ma ialeg 24.6 8733) Note that it is normal for any capacitor to show a large but brief increase in leakage current whenever the applied voltage is in- cereased—no matter how small the increase ‘This current surge is the capacitor charging and not leakage. For example, a 30-af capaci- tor being tested at 10 V might show 0.l-ma leakage. Increasing the test voltage to 12 V ccan cause the M2 indication to rise sharply 1 ima, but it will quickly fall back to the true leakage value, Do not be fooled into thinking the charging-current pulse is the capacitor’s leakage To make using the checker as easy as pos- sible we suggest you cement a copy of the leakage chart below on the side of eabinet.-@- TEAKAGE-CURRENT LIMITS: ‘@-100 VOC) sBY DAVID H. DAGE BUILD AN Autoranging Digital Capacitance Meter Autoranges from I pF to I x F and from 1 wF to 4000 uF. HE DIGITAL-READOUT capaci- tance meter described here is a most useful instrument when one has to determine values of unmarked capaci- tors oF those with unknown codes, or when checking the tolerances of marked components, Its autorange function greatly simplifies what would ordinarily be a measurement chore without ths feature. Moreover, the meter's aceuracy fof over 1% (dependent on the toler- ances of a few passive components) from 1 pF to 4000 4F enhances its util ly. The project is easy on the budget 00, as low-cost 7400 series logic and '555 timer IC's are used throughout, To operate, simply turn on the unit, connect a capacitor to the test terminals, and read the digital value displayed for any capacitor up 10 1 4F. Switching a mode switch from nF to uF extends the autorange function to 4000 wF and beyond, limited only by the leakage characteristics of the test capacitor. How it Works. Traditionally, capaci tance has been measured on an ac bridge by balancing known components against the reactance of an unknown ca- pacitance at a given, fixed frequency. However, instruments are now appear- ing which empioy a different method to delermine capacitance—they measure time, Here's how Mathematically, the vollage across a capacitor discharging through a resistor 8 Updates readings automatically. in a simple RC network can be ex- pressed by the equation’ Vo = Voli — 2“ WRC) where Vo is the voltage across the ca- pacitor when fully charged, the re- sistance in ohms, C the capacitance in farads, t the time in seconds, and e the ‘exponential constant or base for natural logarithms (approximately equal to 2.718). If we let a capacitor that has charged to a known voltage discharge through a fixed, stable resistance to some given voltage, the discharge time will be directly proportional to the com- ponent’s capacitance, which then can bbe readily determined. ‘The meter described here empioys this method of measurement, which readily lends itself to use with a digital readout and eliminates null adjustments. ‘As shown in Fig, 1. the capacitance to be measured is charged through Ra and ig. When the voltage across the capa- citor equals VREF. Comparator A sets the fip:tlop, turning on the transistor. ‘The capacitor then discharges through AA until the voltage across it drops to one-half VREF-. At this point, comparator B resets the flip-flop, which in turn cuts off the transistor. The capacitor then starts to charge up to VreF. and the cy: cles repeated. Areterence oscillator output ata fixed frequency is gated by the flip-flop output signal. The gated reference pulses are counted by a digital counter, decoded, and displayed directly as capacitance. ‘The two comparators, flip-flop, transis: tor, reference voltage sources, and an ‘output driver are all contained in one package—the common 555 timer IC. ‘The meter’s autorange circuit func- tions during a single capacitor discharge cycle, If the three-decade counter over- flows, the reference frequency inout is automatically divided by ten. Simultane- ously, the decimal pointin the digital dis- play is shifted one position to the right. If necessary, the process is repeated once Interior photo of prototype.[HEL Fig. 1, Blockdiagram of the capacitance mater. Cireultdeterminesnkxown | capacitance by measuring | time it takes to discharge | PARTS LIST | (C1-4000-pF, 16-V electoytic capacitor €2,C4,C8 through C16, C23--O.01-pF dise ceramic capacitor | ¢30.0033-yF, 10% Mylar capacitor (C50. uF disc ceramic eapacitor €6,C17-—4 TP, 16-vot ant capacitor 7220446, t6-votelectolytie capacitor C18-0.01-p, 5% polystyrene capacitor €19-820-pF, 58% polystyrene capacitor €20—470-pF, 58% polystyrene capacitor C21 220-pF, 5% polystyrene capacitor 220.005 4F, 10% Mylar capacitor | DI,D2—INano? silicon diode D3 through DS—INA1S4 or HEP ROSHD sili ‘com farecovery diode DIST through DIS}—DL07 common-anode, seven segment LED clsplay FL, F2— Vampere fast blow fase ICLACRACRICIT.ICIB,ICI9— 7490 decade 1C8,IC15—7406 hex inverter 1C5_78125 TriState quad buter 1C6,1C20—855 ner | ICP.IC8,1C22—7400 quad Two-input NAND- pate | 1co.tc10.1C11—7487 BCD to sever-segmemt decoder leeiver| | Icha ser3+7474 dual D edge-riggered fp | hop ICI 1C21.—74121 monosable mulvibeator IC}6-=7493 4. binary counter 1C23LM309K Scot regulator L113. inductor EDI, LED2—20-mA light emiting diode I100,000-0hm pe mount wieumer potent R2—I-megobm, 15 tolerance, $0 ppmy"C ‘etal il resistor or twice, resulting in four automatically selected ranges. Additional overllow pulses are displayed by two LED's locat- (24 io the left ofthe display. Circuit Details. Refer to tne appropri ate schematic (Figs. 2 through 6) for the following dotailed circuit description Free-running 565 timer 1C20 (Fig. 2) is. the basic capacitance measuring circuit, comprising the comparators, relerence voltages, flip-flop, and discharge transis tor described previously. The timers dis- charge period is used 10 measure the component under test. When ove switch $1 is in the ne position, the dis- charge period is determined by 1, 2, and Cx. in the uF position, the interval is, determined by A, Fé, and Cy. FEBRUARY 1978 1100 mount rie ten SS pnt mot ne pe asian fs, as 18: fo—stborms Riven | Feimoasn 0020 ohms ae Sue eemesbo parts, including tested IC’s, cabinet, hard- | 50 ppc Fig. 2. Input stage has free-running 555 timer A second free-running $55 timer, IC6 Fig. 3), is employed in an autocyciing Circuit which automatically updates the capacitance measurement, The refer ence frequency (about 1.4 MHz) is sup- piled by a Colpitts oscilator made up of IC4, Li, and C18 through C27. Signals trom the reference oscillator and timers IC6 and IC20 are combined by dual-D fip-tiops IC12 and 1C13. Ona halt of IC12 synchronizes the output of 1C20 with the 1.4-MHz reference frequency, providing dual-phase (Q and ©) outputs, ‘The other half of [C12 and 1019 select one discharge puise from 1C20 after the output of autocycl timer IC6 goes high The fip-lops disable 1C6 until the dis charge pulse is completed The reference osclitor output is gat fd by 1C7 so that it passes tothe count- ing stages during one discharge period of Cx per measuring interval. Monosta: ble muttivbratorIC14, when triggered by Fig. 8. Oscillator, syne, and reset eireuits, the leading edge of the synchronized discharge pulse, resets decade coun ters [C16 through IC19 and dividers [C1 through IC3. When $1 is In the ne posi- tion, the width of the reset pulse gener. ated by IC14 is convolled by the setting of ZERO timmer potentiometer A10, This allows the user to keep stray capa- citance out of the measurement The gated reference signal is divided by decade counters IC1, IC2 and IC3. Output signais from these counters, at 1/4000th, 1/ 100th, and one-tenth the in put frequency, are applied to Tri-State logic switch ICS (Fig. 5), which passes the appropriate pulse train to decade counter C19. Overtiow pulses from this BCD decade counter are applied to counter IC18, whose overflow pulses in turn are counted by IC17. Binary coded decimal outputs from these three dec: ade counters are decoded by IC9, IC10 48Fig. 4. Display and drivers. and 1C11 (Fig, 4), which also drive sev- an-segment displays DIST, DIS2, and 183, Current imting for each display is performed by esisors R21, 1:2, ASS, 5:4, R4:6, R7-5, and 6:7. (This meth od of identifying the resistors is dis- cussed inthe Construction section ofthe article) Now welll examine the capacitance meters autorange circuitry (Fig. 5). Overflow puises from the last BCD dec: ‘ade counter (1017) are applied to 4-bit binary counter IC16. This IC has four woighted binary outputs, A.B, C, and. which are inverted by IG15. Lines A, A B, and B are decoded by the NAND gates in IC8 to provide contol signals for the TrcState logic switches in IC5 and selection of the proper cisplay deci mal point, Outputs C and C either sink or block currant from overrange indicators LED! and LED2 ‘Assume that counters IC17 through 1C19 have counted 999 pulses and the display reads 999." Upon receipt ofthe next pulse, the decimal point is shifted one positon tothe right and the display reads “0.00.” Tri-State switch ICS then passes the + 10 reference output of C3 to decade counters 1C17 through IC. One-shat [C21 and IC22 then produce a pulse which advances the most signif cant counter ard (leftmost) display by one so that the displays now read 1:00." If necessary, this process is re- peated once or twice, suiting in an au torange function of 1000:1, After he third counting sequence, the overtiow pulses cycle the two overrange LED's to indicate @ count of 1000 pulses. ‘The 7400 series IC's requice +5 volts which is provided by the project's pow or supply (Fig, 6). Transtormer T1 re- 8 duces the line voltage to a convenient value. The low-voltage ac is recttied by DI and D2 into pulsating do and smoothed by C1. A regulated de output at +5 volts is provided by (C23. Ar though the regulator IC can provide a 1- ampere output, the capacitance meter Circuitry requires only about 700 mA, Construction. For the most part, the Circuit is not eritical and any assembly technique can be used to reproduce it However, the measuring circuit compris- ing 1020 and its associated components is critical, and should be properly shield: ed and decoupled from the other stages. Etching and driling and parts placement guides for a suitable printed circuit board are shown in Figs. 7 and 8 The pc board holds all components of feedthrough pads are accessible to the. sides of the sockets, Molex Soldercons: present no problem, as they can be sol- dered on both sides of the board. The 42 feedthrough points are identified by cir les on the component placement guide (Fig. 8) Sockets or Molex Solercons are man- datory for the LED displays and decod- er/drivers. By cutting @ socket length- wise or using Molex Soldercons on the outside pin rows, as shown in Fig. 9A, a trough is provided under the displays ‘and decoder/drivers into which the cur rent-limiting resistors are placed. Num: bering the holes from the center both up ‘and down will allow quick resistor place- ‘ment. For example, the leads of 2:1 ‘occupy the second hole up and the first hole down. (See Fig. 98.) Use small, ¥i- =] Fig. 5. Schematic of meter's autorange cireuit. the capacitance meter, less those in the power supply. Itis a double-sided board (on which many connections must be made between the top and bottom foil patterns. If you cannot make plated through holes, you must use wire feed- throughs to make the necessary con- nections. Component leads must be sol- dered on both sides of the board when pads are available Sockets or Molex Soidercons should be used to hold the integrated circuit and display packages. However, itis impos- sible to solder leads to pads on the com- ponent side of the board when they are under an IC socket, Because of ths, all Fig. 6. Power supply circu haw a voltage regulator IC. watt resistors and, where nec sulate leads with sleeving. ‘The critical components on the board are L1, C18 through 021, which deter mine the frequency of the reference os- cillator, and Fil through 4 which with 1C20 form the basic capacitance mea- suring circut. High-quality polystyrene capacitors and metal-flm fixed resistors with tem. perature coefficients of less than 50 ppm/°C should be used. These compo- nents, together with 1C20, will determine the long-term accuracy of the meter and measurement error as a function of tem- perature. If high-quality components are used and the meter is properly calibrat- 4, is accuracy will be at least 1% at room temperature. ‘sary, in- Checkout and Cali in. A prop= erly functioning unit will respond as fol- ows, and should then be calibrated, Ro- tale AY, A, and R10 fully counterclock- POPULAR ELECTRONICStime. Place $1 in the yr position. The display wil read a similar value, but wil not appear to flicker. Finally, place a 5000-10800. capacitor across tho Cx terminals. Within a few seconds, the display will advance and the overrange LED's will cycle top on only, bottom on conly, both on, both off, and repeat the sequence. The meter is now ready for calibration, “The most direct method of calibration is to measure a reference capacitor whose value is about 0.7 wF.A precision capacitor will be very expensive, 30 i you have access to a precision (0.1% or better) capacitance bridge, measure the value of a good-quality Mylar capacitor On it.I the capacitor is used at approxi- mately the same temperature as the bridge environment, it will be @ suitable reference component ‘The 0.7-uF capacitor will be used as a reference for both the nF and uF switch positions. Setting one point for each po- sition is all that is required, as absolute linearity is provided by the project cir culty. The reference oscillator's mean output frequency is designed to be slightly high when only C18 and C19 are included inthe circuit. If trimmer potenti- meters Ft and AS cannot be adjusted to bring the display reading into agree- ment with the value of the reference component, install C20 and/or C21. Ca- libration is now a matter of merely con- necting the reference capacitor tothe Cx. terminals, placing $1 inthe wF positon, and adjusting 3 until the display Rs Cia Cis / fa Su es Cy By Dy Rs Rr Ds hy Fig. 8 Component placement guide, Numbered circles are feedthroughs. matches the value of the reference com- ponent, Then, $1 should be placed in the nF position and Ai adjusted for the same displayed capacitance. Using the Meter. Apply power to the Doject by placing S1 in the nF position, Zero the display by slowly rotating the shaft of R10 counterclockwise until the display reads, "001." advancing the conta) slightly more until a ".000" read. ing is obtained. Once zeroed, no further adjustments are necessary. The uF po- sition does not require zeroing, Fig. 9. A trough is provided for the ewrrent-limiting ‘resistors as shown in (A). Diagram at (B) shows how nwmbering the holes allows quick resistor placement. Connect the capacitor tobe measured across the Cx terminals, Polarized ca- pacitors must be oriented positive to positive, negative to negative, Do not connect charged capacitors to the pro: ject, Although the input circuitry is pro- tected with clamping diodes and a fuse, charged capacitors might damage the project. Capacitance is displayed in either nF oF uF, depending on the setting of $1 Values greater than 1000 nF should be read in the wF position. Capacitance greater than 1000 jaF is determined by Observing the overrange LED's to the left of the display. Because these «wo LED's cycle every % second, they are easily observed. If the fop LED glows, 1000 uF is indicated; if the bottom LED Glows, 2000 uF: if both, 3000 wr. This sequence will then repeat, with two dark LED's representing 4000 \.F; the top LED glowing, 5000 uF; the bot” tom LED, 6000 uF; both on, 7000 nF; oth dark, 8000 AF; and so on until the cycling stops. Values up to several thous sand microtarads can be measured. The upper limit is determined mainly by ca- pacitor leakage, and to a lesser extent by your patience! Capacitors, with high leakage wili never charge to VREF, and ‘thus will not rigger the discharge cycle When using the capacitance meter with $1 in the ne position, treat the read- ing as if it were in picofarads if the deci- mal point is to the left. That is, ".084” should be read as 84 pF, and ".003" as 3 pF. With a litle experience, you will quickly become familiar with the auto- range function and the behavior of the overrange LED's. ° POPULAR ELECTRONICS.Capacitance Measurement W. Winder Few amateurs have a reliable method for measuring small capacitors. They may have 2 50 Hz bridge, but the reactance of 10 pfs. at 50 Hz is some 320 megohms, which can well be of the same order as the bridge insula- tion, which leads to indeterminate and incorrect results. However if one has an AF. signal generator and a measuring oscilloscope (or a.c. milli voltmeter), one can measure down to 2 or 3 pfs. with quite as good an accuracy 8s more complicated methods using square wave genera- tors and diode pumps. The following very simple circuit is all that is necessary. ‘As long as the reactance of the capacitor is several times larger than. the resistance of R, the output voltage will be directly proportional to the capacitance of C. By supplying a 1.6 voit input signal, the mathematics are simplified, and the output measure- ments are as the table given below, The input wave form should be ac Frequency | Ot 20p 100 kHz 20 t0 200 p 10 kHz 20010 2000p 1 kHz 2000 to 20,000 p 1 kHz 0.02t00.24F 1 kHz fairly good, as any harmonics present are exaggerated by the capacitor, and the shape of the output waveform can Input SCOPE R oR MILLIVOLTMETER Value of R Output iOk ~~*‘10 mV, perp 10k 1 mV perp 10k 0.1 mV per p 1k 0.01 mV per p 100R 0.001 mV per p be anything but a pretty sine wave. However it has to be a poor signal generator that does this. ELECTRONICS TODAY INTERNATIONAL — FEBRUARY 1979 a1Engineer’s notebook. LR oscillator indicates inductance directly bby John Jamieson Technical Analysis Corp, Atlanta, Ga Inductance measurements accurate to within +10% may be made simply if the inductor is connected into the frequency-determining portion of this low-cost LR oscil- lator. Component values have been selected so that the oscillator’s period, in seconds, equals 0.01 times the coil's, inductance in henries, over the range from 0.5 millihenry to at least 10 H. Thus the inductance can be read directly from a period/frequency counter connected to the cir- suit’s output. A; of the TLO84 operational amplifier serves as the integrator in the basic oscillator, with Az a Schmitt trigger having trip points at one sixth and five sixths of the supply voltage and A; a 1-to-20 voltage divider. As derives a voltage reference equal to half the supply voltage for driving A., Az, and Ay ‘Ay delivers a current into Ay of magnitude in (I/L)SVidt, where Vi is the initially negative ouput voltage of A; and L is the inductance under consider- ation. As a consequence, the output of As is a ramp of voltage Vp = RV(I/L, where resistor R controls the gain of the stage, and t is time. Thus V, rises linearly until A's trigger point is reached, whereupon it switches and brings Vi high so that V, begins to decrease linearly. The. cycle is repeated when the Schmitt's lower threshold point is reached. Selecting the period of oscillation to fall in the area of t = 9/4, it is seen that Vy = (RVix)/(4L), or L = (RV.z)/(4V,). Because Vi © V./13, then L © Ry/52. With R adjusted so that R/52 = 100, L = 100r. The preceding analysis assumes that the ohmic resist- ance of the inductor is small. For each ohm of resistance present below 10 , there will be an approximate decrease of 0.1% in the accuracy of the measurement. For inductors with considerable resistance, it will be noted that: i, = (V/L)SVL etd where Ri. is the resistance of the inductor, and so it can be shown that L =(—Rir/4)log.(0.9975R,). Thus to find the inductance, itis necessary to measure its resist- ance, Ru; place the inductor in the circuit; and note the frequency of oscillation, x. L may then be calculated. saree a enor an ween ms he w Fasauency poUNTER Aye TOE [BLL RESISTORS KW, 15, Solf-measuring. Inductance of low-rsistance coils Is measured to within + 10% by nating Irequency of LR oscilator of which the induct is part. Frequency counter may he used to indicate inductance directly, since period of oscillator, in seconds, i 1/100 of the inductance valve In henries. Procedure is sighty modiieg for nductances having high impedance, most of which Is ohmic for Unite having low hysteesis, 170 Electronics /May 8, 1980BY JAMES BARBARELLO AND EDWIN IRIYE Inexpensive, accurate instrument measures inductance from 1 microhenry to 1 henry as well as capacitance “OW you can measure the induc- tance of coils and loudspeaker windings without resorting to expensive laboratory instruments, The Reactance Measuring Set (RMS) presented here will measure inductance from 1 micro- henry to | henry, using any multimeter as a readout device. Furthermore, ca- pacitance from | picofarad to 1 microfa- rad can be determined, ‘Accurate, stable, and easy to build, the RMS project uses @ measurement technique based on the relationships be- tween currents flowing through and voltages appearing across reactive com- BUILD THE ponents. The resulting measurements are not influenced by any effective or internal resistances of the components under test. Moreover, the RMS can be aligned without using @ precision refer- ‘ence standard. As a bonus, it can func- tion as a crystal-tontrolled frequency standard. No batteries are needed, thanks to the presence of an internal, line-powered supply. Moasuring Reactors. The voltage drop across a pure inductance is directly proportional 19 the rate at which the magnitude of the current flowing Keackamee IY ASUENB through it changes with time. Mathe- matically, this is expressed by the differ- ‘ential equation: » = L difds, Lf a cur- rent that has @ constant rate of change flows through the inductor, the voltage drop across it will be constant. Similar- ly, if the waveform of the current that flows through the inductor is a triangle, the resulting voltage is a square wave, ‘The current that flows through a pure capacitance is directly proportional 10 the time rate of change of the voltage across it (i= Cdv/dt). Ifa voltage with fa constant rate of change is applied across the capacitance, a current of con stant magnitude flows through it, Simi- larly, if the waveform of the voltage that is applied across the capacitor isa trian- gle, @ square-wave current flows through it. ‘Now let's look at a block diagram of the RMS ( Fig. 1), A triangle-wave volt- age source is the heart of the measure- ment circuit. It drives both a voltage- dependent current source and a buffer/ voltage-to-current converter stage. The former generates a triangle-wave cur- sent which is applied to an inductance whose value is 19 be determined (Ly). If ‘a value of capacitance is to be measused, 2 triangle-wave voltage is applied acrossreactance measuring. the component under test (C,). Conver- sion of the current through the unknown ‘capacitance into a voltage by the latter stage means that a voltage is applied to the demodulator stage via $3B whether an inductance or a capacitance is being measured, Two basic parameters of the signal generated by the triangle voitage source must be closely controlled if accurate measurements are to be obtained—its amplitude and its period. An age stage ‘monitors the peak-to-peak amplitude of the triangle voltage source's output and. Benerates a control signal to suppress undesirable variations, To keep the peri- od of the voltage source's output stable, 2 crystal-controlied clock and a series of frequency-divider stages are employed ‘The output of this portion of the RMS is, ‘4 square-wave voltage whose frequency is determined by the setting of RANGE Switch SY and which governs the fre~ quency (and hence the period) of the triangle voltage source’s output. When the component under test is driver by the triangular test signal, a complex voltage is presented to the WW uid RMS demodulator stage. This wave- form comprises a square wave, which is due to the reactive portion of the imped- ance of the component under test, and ‘an added, triangle wave which is due to the resistive portion of the impedance of the component under test. (An ideal reactor contains no resistance, but prac- tical inductors and capacitors do.) To prevent any resistive element of the component from influencing the meas- urement, the triangle-wave portion of the signal presented to the demodulator is averaged out. ‘The demodulator responds only to the square-wave portion of the signal 2p- plied to it and generates a do output voltage. A scaling amplifier processes this voltage and presents a dc level to the output terminals of the RMS. This level, which is monitored by means of an ex: ternal de voltmeter, is scaled so that the voltage reading represents the actual value of the reactor under test. About the Circuit. The schematic diagram of the RMS appears in Fig, 2 ‘A quartz-crystal oscillator comprising Fig. 1. Block alagram of the Reactence Measuring Set ‘A measurement is performed by synchronous demodulation of the square-wave voltage that appears across the component being tested. Q!, Q2, Q3 and their associated passive components generates a 2.0-MH2 out- put signal. This signa is conditioned and Its frequency divided by a factor of two by fipslop ICIB, which provides a 1.0- MHz square wave to decade dividers 1C2 through IC5. One of the five de- cade-counter output frequencies (1 Miiz, 100 kel, 10 KF, I kHz o 100 Ha) is selected by SIA to drive che active voltage divider comprising. R7, RIB and O14. The diver is part of the age stage Capacivor C¥ couples a portion of the diving signal to the teiangle-wave gen= erator comprising Q5. 06, and Q7 and their associated passive components ‘This circuit is «bipolar constant-current source which alternately charges. and discharges the triangle-gencrating ca- pacitor selected by 1B that is appro- Priate for the frequency selected. by Sic. The triangle-wave volage that ap- pears across this capacitor is monitored by that portion of the age circuit com- prising 073, 014, IC7 and their ass0- Ciated passive components. “The input signal to this portion of the co POPULAR ELECTRONICSage stage is frst buffered by Q/3 and then peak-detected by DS and DS. This detected signal is then filtered and com- pared by 1C7 toa reference provided by Voltage divider R2/R22. The output of 1C7 isthe bias applied 10 the gate of O14 that determines the channel resistance of the FET, As a result, the amplitude of the crystal-derived square wave pro- vided to the triangle-wave voltage source is maintained such that the am- plitude of the triangle-wave voltage sig- nal remains constant. Owing to possible differences in de- vice and circuit parameters, an imbal- ance between the charge and discharge cycles could result. This would in turn cause a net buildup in charge across the triangle generating capacitor, eventual- ly leading to saturation. A modified Phase inverter comprising Q3, R10, R20, R24, RI, and C36 is utilized to prevent. this. The out-of-phase (180° Phase-shifted), voltage that appears at the collector of Q5 is ac-coupled and ad ded to the in-phase, de-coupled voltage that appears at the emitter of QS. Any tendency for the dc voltage to build up (@s a result of differences between the parameters of complementary transis- tors Q6 and Q7) will automatically change the bias of both Q6 and Q7 10 stabilize the cireuit, ‘The output of the triangle-wave gen- erator drives both the voltage-controlied current source and the buffer/voltage- to-current converter. The voltage-con- trolled current generator comprises Q8, 09, Q10, and their associated passive Components, and is similar to the trian- ale-wave generator. It converts the vol Age waveform to an out-of-phase (180° phase-shifted) curseat which is applied to the inductor to be measured, When the component under test isso driven, a square-wave voltage whose amplitude is directly proportional to the inductance appears across it. The bulfer/current-to-voltage con- verter (Q12, et al) is a common-base amplifier with an extremely low input impedance. From the viewpoint of a ca- pacitor whose value is to be measured, the node R29Q12 emitter is effectively at ground. Therefore, the magnitude of the current flowing through the capaci- tor under test depends only on the ca- Pécitance and the voltage waveform ap- plied to it. The output impedance of Q/2 Is very high, like that of a constant-cur- rent source, and the collector current of QI2is therefore a replica of the transis tor's base current, This arrangement lows the capacitor to “see” an effective ground and simultaneously allows Q/2 to monitor the current flowing through the capacitor under test. The square- ‘wave collector current of Q/2 gives rise to 2 corresponding square-wave voltage MARCH 1981 drop across R34. This square-wave volt age is buffered by Q/3 and presented to the synchronous demodulator via S3B. The square-wave voltage passed by ‘S3B is synchronously demodulated by 1C8, Synchronous demodulation re- quires the reference signal supplied to the demodulator to be in phase with the signal from the component under test. However, the square wave generated by the buffer /current-to-voltage converter is 180° out of phase with respect to the voltage generated across an inductor un- der test. To compensate for this, in the induetance-measuring mode, the refer- ence signal supplied to the demodulator is inverted by NAND gate /C9C. The triangle-wave voltage source provides the required 90° phase shift to ensure that the signal generated by the compo- nent under test is in phase with the ref- erence signal Details of the synchronous-demodula- tion process follow. The square-wave voltage passed by S3B is simultaneously provided to two of the four bilateral switches in JC8. During the positive por- tion of the squace-wave input, the signal flows from the input of bilateral switch A (pin 1) to the output of that switch (pin 2). This happens because the refer- cence signal applied to switch A's CoN. ‘TROL input (pin 13) is positive. During this interval, the phase-inverted signal applied to the CONTROL input of bilater- al switch B control is negative. This causes the input-to-output channel re- sistance of switch B to become very high. On the negative portion of the square-wave input, switch B turns on and switch A turns off. Therefore, the negative portion of the input square wave appears at the output of switch B (pin 3). The two switch outputs are summed and scaled by 1C6. Calibration of the RMS does not re- quire precision inductors and capacitors. A resistor of specific value serves as the calibrating component. Transistor Q4 and flip-flop ICIA generate a 10-kHz square wave shifted 90° in phase with respect to the signal that appears at the output of counter 1C3. During calibra- tion, the signal generated across the cal- ibration resistor, which is connected to the terminals to which the component under test is normally attached, and the output of C/A will be in phase. This allows the demodulator to produce @ specific output voltage. The calibration procedure will be described later. Power for the circuit is provided by the supply shown schematically in Fi 3. The power supply utilizes IC voltage regulators to produce the +12 volts de required by the circuit. A grounded (three-wire) line cord is used for safety Purposes. The 6.8 volts supplied to 1CB and 1C9 are derived by zener diodes D7 and D8. Because C8 and 1C9 must generate bipolar output voltages, this Tower supply potential was selected so that the 15-volt maximum differential supply-voltage rating of the CMOS de- vices would not be exceeded. Construction. Use the full-size etch- ing-and-drilling guide shown in Fig. 4 to make a printed-circuit board, and mount all the fixed resistors shown in the parts placement guide given in Fig, 5, Next, inssall the diodes, transistors, ICs and jumpers and capacitors. ‘When all on-board companents have been mounted, wire rotary switeh SI. In the authors’ prototype, S7 was mounted above the board using stiff, solid-con- ductor wire and capacitors C10 through C13 to give mechanical support. We connected one lead of each capacitor to the pe board. Without shortening the leads, the free end of each capacitor was soldered to the appropriate switch lug. Next, We connected pe-board points ‘S1B2 through S1B5 to the correspond- ing terminals of S/ using stiff, solid-con- ductor wire. Wire lengths equalled lengths of the capacitor leads soldered to lugs on the opposite side of S/ so that switch was supported securely above the peboard. Finally, weconnected the rotors of SI toappropriate pe foil pads. ‘You might choose another method of. mounting S/ above the 3 board. In any event, once the rotary switch has been interconnected with the board, make the necessary connections between the rinted-circuit board and the remaining switches, LEDI, and binding posts BP! through BP6 using suitable lengths of stranded hookup wire. Then intercon- rect lugs 3 and 6 of SI and S/B. Transformer TI, the fuscholder for F1, power switch S4 and the line cord should be interconnected and mounted in the project enclosure so as to fit in the large pe-board cutout. Once the trans- former has been mounted, the secondary leads of T/ can be connected. The enclosure should be machined as necessary 10 accept all switches and binding holes should be drilled to allow casy adjustment of trimmer potentiome- ters R34, R39 ané R47 after final as- sembly. When all switches and binding posts have been installed and connected to the rest of the circuit, the pe board ‘can be mounted in the enclosure using standoffs and suitable hardware, Calibration. Begin by soldering two lengths of stranded hookup wire to the lugs of a 1000-ohm, linear-taper potenti- ‘ometer so that it will act as a variable resistor. The use of a multiturn potenti ‘ometer will simplify matters, but a stan- dard potentiometer can be employed. Utilizing a 31/-digit multimeter, adjust °the potentiometer for « resistance of 856 them to binding posts HP3 and BP4. Ap- _nect its probes to binding posts BP3 and obms = [%. ply power to the project, place SJ and BP4. Adjust trimmer R39 for a meter Taking care not to disturb the setting 52 in their CALIBRATE positions and $3 reading of 0 volt. Next, remove the ‘of the potentiometer, disconnect its in its L position. Switch the multimeter probes from BP3 and BP4 and connect leads from the meter probes and connect to its de-volts operating mode and con- them to BPS and BP6 and adjust trim- i POPULAR ELECTRONICSmer R47 for a reading of +10 volts. This completes the calibration of the i ductance-measurement function. Fashion a capacitance-calibration network by connecting one lead of a 10- * pARTS 7 BP through BP8—Binding posts 61,02,68,05,C7,016,017,C21,029,028, €30,037—0.1-4F, 60-V disc ceramic capacitor (C4~68-pF, 60-V disc coramic capacitor 6,08,C18,C18—47 uF, 16-V, radia-lead ‘lectrottic capacitor 09—22-pF, 60-V dise ceramic capacitor C10—0.001wF, 50-V, 20%, Mylar oF ‘monolithic ceramic capacitor C11,C43—O.01 uF, 6O-V, 20%, Mylar or ‘monolithic ceramic capacitor C12—0.1-uF, 60-V, 20%, Mylar or mono: lithe coramic capacitor (©13,035.038 through C42—14F, 16-V, ‘2096 tolerance tantalum capacitor 614,C20.036—22-uF, 16-V, racial-load slectroitic capacitor C15 —6.84F, 16, ras capacitor €22—100-uF, 16-V, radiaLioad eivctrolyt- ie capacitor (€24—47-pF, 50-V diac ceramic capacitor €25,026— 100-pF, 50-V diac ceramic ca: ad electrolytic pacitor €27,028—104F, 16, radiatlead elec: {ralytic capacitor (€31—100-4F, 60-, radiaHead electroyt- ic capactior 632,639,C44— 1000 uF, 25, axiaHioad ‘electrolytic capacitor 634—10-uF, 16-V tantalum capacitor Dr through G4—1N4001 rectitior ance 1981 uF nonpolarized electrolytic capacitor to ‘one side of a 2000-ohm, linear-taper po- tentiometer that is wired to act asa vari- able resistor. If a nonpolarized electro- lytic capacitor is not available, use two D5, D6—1N914 oF 1N4148 ailcon ewiteh- ing diode 7,08—8.6-V, 1-W zoner diode (1NS235 ‘or equivalent) F1—veampere fast-blow fs Ie1—CD4027 J tipo G2 through IC5—CD4017 decade counter 68, 1C7—wA741CV operational ampliior 1C8—CD4016 quad bilateral switch 'C8—CD4011 quad 2input NAND gate IC1O—LM340T-12 + 12volt regulator (Gx\—LM320T-12 — 12-volt regulator LED1—Red light-emiting diode 1,02,05,07,08,010,011,013,015— £2N5 128 np silicon transistor (03,06,09—2NS 139 pp silicon transistor Q4,012—2NO18 npn slicon transistor (014—2N5457 n-channel JFET ‘The following, unless otherwise spectted, ‘are éW, 10%, carbon-composition fixod resistors, Ri,RA— 1000 R2;RS,RIO.R14,AS3,R97 R48,RA0,AES— 9,R13.A16,R25,R36,98,R43, R45, REO— 10ko Ri1.R12,R27,R28,R92,RAI,RA2—4700 RiBA17— 100 i RiB.R24,A91,RAO—0.2 KO R20—3.3k2 R227 Wa R20—5.1 ko R34,RG0— 100, tnesr-taper trimmer po- tentiometer RaS—5.6 Ke F44,Ra6—30 KS Ra7—200-K0, tne ‘ometer 5222 kot ‘S1—Two-pola, si position rotary switch ‘S2—Spat toggle switch 'S9—Dpat toggle switch ‘S4—Spst toggle switch Ti— 28.2, SOO-mA, contertepped step- down transformer XTAL—2.0-Mbz quartz orst Mise.—Printed-circuit board IC sockets of Molex Soldercons, tusehoider, line cord, _ Sutable enclosure, strain reli, pe stand: offs, suitable hardware, hookup wie, Per trimmer potent 'BNB Kins, 72 Cooper Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07784: Kit of parts including all components and stched and ciled brintec-crcult board but not ncluding en Closure, No. RMS-1, for $129.98 post aid in U.S; etched and drilled printed Gircuit_ board only, No. RMS-PC, for ‘$21.96 postpaid in USA New Jersey residents, add state sales tax. 10-uF, 16volt tantalum or aluminum clectrelytic capacitors connected back- torback (negative plate to negative plate) instead. Solder a short length of stranded hookup wire to the free lead of the nonpolarized capacitor and another to the uncommitted side of the potenti ‘meter. Connect the probes of the mult meter across the potentiometer and set the meter to read resistance. Adjust the potentiometer for a reading of 1200 ohms 1%. Remove the obmmeter robes. Taking care not to disturb the setting of the potentiometer, connect the leads of the capacitance-calibration network to binding posts BP/ and BP2, Set the multimeter to read de volts and connect its probes to BPS and BPO, Set the mul- timeter to read de volts and connect its probes to BPS and BPO. Apply power to the project, place switch $3 in its c posi- tion, and piace S/ and S2 in their CaLt RATE positions. Adjust R34 for a meter reading of +10 volts. This completes the calibration of the capacitance-meas- urement function. Using the RMS. The equivalent cir- cuit of a typical inductor (Fig. 6) con- tains shunt capacitance and series resist- ance as well as inductance. Thus, the frequency at which an inductance meas- urement is performed can influence the reading obtained. Therefore, it should be as close to the actual frequency the inductor will “see in use as possible. ‘The RMS test frequencies were chosen to meet this requirement for typical ap- plications. Relatively low-value, air- ‘wound coils are generally used in high- frequency applications where stability is important. Ferrite-core inductors are of- ten employed when small size is impor- tant. They are usable from dc to approx- imately 100 MHz, depending on the fer- rite mix employed int the manufacture of the core Ina core inductor, the magnetic char- acteristics of the core, which include hysteresis and saturation, should be con- sidered, especially if the core has high permeability. Such a component's effec- tive inductance can be affected by the amplitude of the applied signal and any de bias current flowing through it. Un- der test conditions, the peak signal volt- ‘age applied across Ly is approximately three-tenths of the project's de output voltage. Under normal conditions, the RMS will apply no de bias to the induc- tor under test and will not apply a large enough signal voltage to cause a typical core to saturate. If inductance-value variation caused by the test signal is suspected, switch to the next higher inductance ‘range. A large increase in measured inductance suggests that the core might have been (Continued on page 78)Zontinved hom page 71) ehaving nonlinearly. Occasionally, itis sirable to de bias the inductor under ext. This can be done by placing a de nilliammeter across the Ly terminals orior to connecting the inductor, and ad- usting DC BALANCE potentiometer R39. This potentiometer controls the bias of complementary transistors OY and @/0 and allows them to provide to the induc- tor under test a de bias of up t0 5 ma. To make accurate measurements of inductances less than 10 uit, i is best 20 use a differentia! technique. Wind or find a coil whose inductance is approxi- mately 30 to 50 ult (exact valve not critical), Measure its inductance and re- cord it for reference purposes. Next, connect the fow-ralue indvetor to be Fig. 3. Schematic diagram of the power supply which tarnishes the bipolar 12 volts de required by the orc. Fig. 4. Fullsize etching and driing guide of the project prnted-cicult board. POPULAR ELECTRONSveasured in series with the reference in- uuctor and measure the inductance of he series combination. Subteact the re- forded inductance of the reference in- uctor from this new value. The remain- der is the value of the unknown, If rea- sonable care is taken, this technique will yield good results and offer resolution to 0.1 uHl. Keep in mind, however, that, at such low levels of inductance, the prox- imity of a metallic object, your body, or the effects of mutual inductance can Sig- nificantly influence measured velues. ‘The equivalent circuit of a typical ca- pacitor is shown in Fig. 7. Although practical capacitors whose values lie Within the measurement range of the RMS more closely approach the ideal than inductors do, itis worth noting two of their peculiarities During the charge/discharge cycle, a portion of the applied charge is retained by the dielectric. This dielectric absorp- anch 1981 Fig. 6. The equivalent crcut ‘of 8 typical inductor containg inductance, series resistance ‘and shunt interwinding capacitance. Fig. 7. The equivalent circuit of a capacior consists ofthe capacitance ‘and parallel leakage resistance in ries with lead and fol-windiag ‘inductance and lead resistance. rt Fig. 5. Component placement guide for a ‘me Reactance Measuring Set pritec-orcut ‘board. Callouts rater to components and the lugs of switches that aro ‘not munted on the board. tion increases with frequency and re- duces a component's effective capaci- tance, It is generally not separately specified but lumped with other loss ‘components. Capacitors, too, have self-resonant frequencies. This is due to stray induc- ‘tances contributed by foil windings and lead inductances. The self-resonant fre- quency is really a figure of meri. Uf the frequency at which the measurement is performed is near the self-resonant fre- quency, misleading data will result. The RMS will provide sufficient ac curacy for most applications. If you have an inventory of bargain-basement capacitors, you might notice that the voltmeter reading will not settle or will appear to drift. Either condition indi- cates that the capacitor is unstable and should be used only in the most noncrit cal applications. To measure small val- tues of capacitance, the use of a differen- 7* Let onCo: tingbe gitide to Ear Rod it ‘onCompating is the new McGraw-Hill querterly thet tells ‘what's ahead — without talking over your head — in the 1980's with personal computers. conComputing puts you on target with all the applications that go beyond your imagination. Personal computers in the home, 1 Classrooms, 1 They bring computer music. 5 Electronic mail Robots They manage your personalized investment. The list goes on and on in onComputing If you're a beginner with personal computers, get the most understood magazine on computers, onComptting And even if you're an experienced computer user, ‘onCompating has the information you need in today's fast- growing personal computer market. Get onto onComputing, Call 800-258-5485. 1 caCompating Subscription Dept P.O. Box 307, Mertinsvlle, NJ O8836 1 1 pontestic subscription rte 1 [ree Tee ease Beso casas tease) @ 51000 al | rote expe are pase ts ind i I ‘Europe (and all other countries, except above), | Ye. @ $12.00 — surfece delivery. a Votive animehep Bm Ane il 1 —— -at bem — I! ——_ — 4 ley — ream te ——— | L_ ast] ee TN ‘CIRCLE NO. 82 ON FREE INFORMATION CARO reactance. tial measurement technique similar to the one described for inductors is recom- mended. Measure and record the value of a reference capacitor of about 30 to 50 pF. Then place the unknown capaci- tor in parallel with the reference capaci- tor and measure the capacitance of the combination. Subtract the previously re- corded reading from this new reading. ‘The remainder is the value of the un- known. Due 10 che good linearity of the RMS within its useful range, this meth- od will yield an accurate reading with resolution of 0.1 pF. Keep in mind that proximity effects can have great in- uence on measurements, Ifthe value of the capacitor under test is completely unknown, always start measurement at a range which is muck higher than a reasonably expected val- ue, The RMS can give a misleading ca~ pacitance reading in an extreme over- range condition. Another Use. The RMS can be a handy frequency standard. The crystal oscillator and its associated divider stages will provide five decade-related frequencies from 100 Hz to | MHz (on the 100 mH /volt to 10 ufi/volt ranges, respectively). For example, to use the RMS to provide marker frequencies spaced 100 kHz apart on a shortwave radio, place switeh S7 in its 1 wH/VOLT position and connect an 800-yH induc- tor to BP3 and BP4. Couple the inductor to the r-f input stage of the receiver by placing it closer to that portion of the receiver enclosure directly above that stage. If the strength of the marker sig- nals is too great, decrease either the val- ue of the inductor or the coupling be- tween it and the receiver Basic accuracy of the RMS is conser~ vatively rated at +5% of its reading, except on the lowest range, where the accuracy is approximately + 10% of the reading. Therefore, if a 3¥:-digit DVM is used with the RMS, an the project’s lowest range, ateasurements will be re solved to the nearest 0.1 pF or O.1 nH. Reliance should be placed, however, aly on the two most significant digits displayed, The _differential-measure- ‘ment technique will permit resolution to 0.1 pF or 0.1 wH with the 10% accuracy of the lowest range. Accuracy could be improved if you have access to precision (£0.1%) inductors and capacitors, but, 8 a practical matter, such accuracy is rarely needed. ‘The RMS permits fast, convenient, and unambiguous measurement of i ductance and capacitance over a wide range of values. Understanding its limi- tations and the nature of components it ‘measures, you will find it a valuable ad- ition to your test bench, ° POPULAR ELECTRONICSIt’s fast, accurate and not too fancy. This Month’s Digital Capacitance Meter is easy to build and will become one of the most used items in your workshop. ‘A GLANCE through an electronics catalogue soon shows that most of the cheaper multimeters do not measure capacitance. A few may measure values in the microfarad range, but not many measure in the nanofarad or picofarad ranges. This low-cost meter will, therefore, be very Useful it covers vaiues from 100pF to ‘9800uF with two digit accuracy and it's cheap and easy to build. It also provides a good indication for values in the 10-100pF range but, in general, the main ranges will satisfy the re: Quirements of most hobbyists. Many types of capacitors are manufactured to about 10% tolerance, yet for building filters, tun- 4 circuits, timers and the like, it is often important to be able to know the precise value of a capacitor. Elec- trolytic capacitors, for example, are notorious for having very wide tolerance and for changing capacitance with age and use. Then there are all those look-alike polystyrene capacitors, which are marked in Ink that seems specially prone to rub off at the first handling (their physical size is no real guide to thelr value, by the way). Finally, there are the bargain packs, containing an assortment of imported capacitors whose markings bear no recognisable relationship 0 any known classification system. When using these, the perplexing question is: “What have we here?”. So, a capacitance meter is a distinct asset for these and many other cir- cumstances. The Circuit ‘The circuit uses the 556 dual timer IC in two common configurations. One 92—MAY—1983—ETI half, IC1b is an astable multivibrator used to produce a square wave at either of two fixed frequencies. The pulses from the astable are counted by IC3, which contains two complete decimal counters. The first counts units and its output carries over to the second, which counts tens. The display drivers, IG4 and ICS, convert the BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) out- puts from the counters to provide the outputs required for driving the 7-segment displays, “The counting action is controlled by the other half of the timer, ICta, connected as a monostable multivibrator; when triggered, this mo murtpaeRs. seats ‘The DCM measures an unknown capacitor by counting the number of clock pulses which occur during the period of a gating pulse, produced by the monostable. The pulses triggered by operating a push bu ton switch (the trigger circuit ensures. a clean start othe pulse) and its width s pro: portional ofthe value ofthe tet capacitor, ‘which is connected into the RC timing net ‘work of the monostable “The gate pulse ‘enables’ the display drivers and the counters, which then begin to register pulses from the astable — 1" i \et 4 ‘multivibrator, At the end of the monostable te pulse, the display drivers are locked and a two digit number is displayed. The counters are reset t0 2et0, ready t0 begin & new count. ‘The DCM has eight ranges, produced by changing the frequency of the astable multivbrator and by controlling the width ‘of the monostable pulse by using different resistors in combination with the. test capacitor. This is described more fully in the text,gives a single positive pulse. As the pulse begins (rises), the counters and display drivers are ‘enabled’ and pulses from the astable are counted. ‘As the pulse ends (fails), the display drivers are latched to ‘hold’ and the count is displayed. The counters are reset to zero at this time, ready to restart the count at the ‘next high pulse, but the display ‘holds’ the count. The display is returned to zero by the enable puise at the beginning of each run and counting begins im- mediately. The length of the pulse from the monostable, IC1a, is proportional to the capacitance of the test capacitor, the greater the capacitance, the longer the pulse and, therefore, more pulses from the astable are counted. The tworfigure display is read accor- ding to the format indicated by the range-setting knob. The period of the monostable is set by the test capacitor and whichever resistor, R3, R4 or RS, is selected by SW2a. The frequency of the astable, 1C1b, is set by the timing capacitors C2, C3 or G4 and resistors 8, PRI, R7 and PR2. By selecting the appropriate combination of timing components, the meter provides sight decade ranges from 100pF up: wards. struction Most of the circuit is accommodated ‘on the printed circult board, It is best to begin construction with the display circuit. The two 7-segment LEO displays are soldered to the board first; make sure the iron Is hot and work quickly, so as not to overheat the LEDs. It is better to solder a few pins, then wait a few minutes for the heat to escape before continuing; the decimal point pins (dp) do not need to be soldered. Next, mount R9.22 (or you could use two 14pin DIL. resistor arrays, if you wish) ‘Wher you have mounted the displays and resistors, make the bat- tery connections and test the display. Temporarily join the positive line to each of the resistors in turn and check that the correct segments light up on the display. WARNING — the current must go through a resistor before it goes to a segment. The two segment-drivers, 1C4 and ICS, are wired in next. The counter, C3, completes the display section’ of the meter. To check its operation, connect a pulse generator to pin 1 of IC3; the displays should show a regular count up to 99, return- ing to 00 and repeating. If you do not ol ey) EE 4 Fig. 1 The circult of the Digital Capacitance Meter. ETI-MAY~1983—33Digital Capacitance Meter size ther individual resistors (as shown) or 14-pin DIL. sway TEST SOCKET Fig. 2 The component layout; note that R9-1S and R16-22 can bo have a generator, you can use the out put from IC1b which, with its associated components, is the next section of the circuit to be completed, When the pulse generator (or astable) circuit is complete, connect the power supply. When pin'4 of IC2c is taken law (to OV), the display should count rapidty at about 1 kHz, When It is taken high, the couat freezes at its current value. The rate of counting Is too fast to see properly {the display will appear to show a steady ‘8), but you can slow it down by temporarily wiring a large value capacitor (Say, 10uF) in parallel with C2, This will let you check that the ‘counters are working properly. Finally, complete the monostable and trigger circuits, IC1 and IC2, and the remaining com- ponents. You will need to make off- board connections to SW2, PBI and the capacitor test sockets before this part can be tested. It is probably best The foil side of the printed cireuit board. to mount the panel components and complete all the off-board wiring now. Determine the orientation of SW1 and SW2 and drill the registration holes 34-—~MAY—1963—ETLDigital Capacitance Meter accordingly. If PB1 and the negative capacitor test socket are correctly positioned, the tag of the socket can be soldered directly to one of the lugs of PB1. The power comes from four penlite cells in a battery holder, which can be held in place by double: sided tape. To test the complete cir- cuit, mount a capacitor in the test sockets; it is useful to have a pair of test leads, with 4 mm plugs at one end and crocodile clips at the other, for short-iead and otherwise ‘difficult! capacitors. Remember to observe polarity, when testing electrolytic or tantalum capacitors. You are now ready to switch on and. .. the display should immediate- ly show a valve. If nothing happens when you switch on, check that the trigger circuit, which normally has a high output (IC2b, pin 11), goes low for an instant (about 1 mS) when PB1 is pressed, The output of 1Cta (pin 5) should normally be low, going high for an instant when PB1 is pressed. If you use a 100 uF test capacitor with SW2 at Xin, the output should stay high for about 10 seconds and, during this time, the display will run from 00 to 99 several times. ICta is a monostable oscillator that controls the period for which the display counts pulses from IC1b. The Period, t, is equal to 1.1RC, where C is the vaiue of the test capacitor and 2 is the value of whichever resistor (R3 to RS) is switched into circuit. For ex- ample, if the test capacitor is 10 nF and we use R4 (100K), t = 1.1 x 100 x 10? x 10 x 108 = 1.1 mS. During this brief period the counter has to count 10 pulses from IG1b so that the display shows “10° at the end of the counting period. Now 19 pulses in 1.1 mS is equivalent to a frequency of 9,09 kHz, and this fs the frequency to which IC1b is set when PRI and RB are short-circuited Out of the timing chain by SW2b. If the test capacitor is. 100 nF, the period becomes 11 mS; the display must again court 10 pulses, to show ‘10’, so the frequency of IC2 must be reduced to 0.909 kHz by switching PR1 and Ré into cirouit. To calibrate the instrument we simply have to adjust PR1 and PR2 to give frequencies of 9.09 kHz and 0.909 kHz. The easiest method is to use an oscilloscope. Switch SW2 to position 1, bypassing PR1 and Ré; Monitor the output from pin 9 of IC1b and adjust PR2 until the period of the signal is 1.1 mS (9.09 kHz). Now switch SW2 to position 2 and adjust PAI until the period Is 11 mS (0.909 36—MAY—1983—€T1 ‘ToBoAROR? a casrap.e) ‘components. Check against the circuit to Tok Re 3K0 3 1K0, 1% oF 2% Ra 100, 1% oF 2% FS 40M, 10% FB 320K 4K 450R (or two 14-pin DIL, thick flim resistor net- works) Potentiometers PRI2 47% sub-miniature horizontal trim pots, Capacitors — a ud 38V tantalum G2 10n polyester 3 10 polycarbonate cas 100n polyester Semiconductors 556 dual timer 40118 quadruple 2input NAND 45188 dual decade counter 4511 7-segment decoder! drivers, iscettansous Pet push button switch SW1,2 _2-pole &-position rotary switches. POB, two T-sogment LED displays (common cathode 0.5"); ABS case 190 mmm x 110 mm x 60 mm, knobs for SW12, 2x T4pin, 3.x 1epin DIL sockets; 4 mm terminal sockets (1 red, 1 blue’: battery holder for 4 x AA cells: 4.0 mm. terminal pins; self-adhesive fest; connecting wire; solder, et. Fig. 4 Internal view of the completed DCM. Continued on page 86Digital Capacitance Meter ————$ $$ Continued trom page 36 kHz) ~~ do not re-adjust PR2 at this stage. ‘The astable is not calibrated for the two slow frequencies, which are used with test capacitors over 100 uF in value. Additional timing capacitors, C3 and C4, are simply ad- ded to the timing chain by switching them in via SW1. With C4 in circuit and SW2 in position 6, the frequency becomes 90.9 Hz; with C3 in, it becomes 9.09 Hz. The accuracy of these two ranges depends on the tolerance of 3 and C4. The polyester capacitors recommended have a tolerance of 10%, which is clase enough for this end ‘of the range. You could, of course. purchase several of the same nominal value and test them (using this meter!) to find two closest to the specitied values. If you have no oscilloscope, the ‘only method of calibration is to put a close tolerance capacitor in the test socket and adjust the astable circuit until the correct reading is obtained. Itis better not to do this on the lowest range, for stray capacitance may bias the results. Use a 47 nF polyester capacitor on the X1 nF range and ad- just PR2 to get a reading of '47" almost every time {you may occ: sionally get ‘46 or '48', but errors should be no greater than this). Then use a 4n7 polystyrene capacitor on the X100 pF range and adjust PRI un- til 47" is obtained. The meter should then be correct for all the other ranges. Using The Meter _ Plug the test capacitor into the socket and select the required range. If in doubt, select a range greater than the one you expect the capacitor to lie in. Switch on, and press PBI. The value will be displayed instantly (though it actually takes a few milliseconds to get there). On all ranges, the displayed figure is multiplied by the display range and the scale factor. For example, if the display switch, SW2, is set to xtu, the scale switch to X10 and the display reads '26', the value of the capacitor is 26 x 10x 1u = 260UF. If the tens digit is zero, switch to the next lower range and press PB1 again. For the two highest ranges; SW2 must be in position 6 (xu) and SW1 tured to X10 or X100, as necessary. ‘Switch the meter off when it is not in use, since the display con sumes considerable power. In use, however, the meter works s0 quickly that the reading can be taken in a couple of seconds and the battery will last for many months.LC resonance meter LJ Gi ‘This circuit is intended to perform the same function as @ conventional grid-dip meter ie ‘measurement of the tesonant frequency of LC-tuned circuits. Unlike 2 normal grid-dip meter it is not, in itself, a complete instru- ‘ment, but can be used in conjunction with a frequency counter to give a direct reading of yesonant frequency. The circuit consists of a difference amplifier comprising T] to T4 and a pair of coils L1 and L2. These coils are wound on the same former but are spaced apart so that, when the circuit is not coupled to an EC Circuit, zo spontaneous oscillation occurs. When the coils are brought close to an LC circuit then oscillation wilh occur at the resonant fre- quency of the LC circuit, und this frequency can be measured by feeding the collector signal of T3 to a frequency counter. No direct connection tothe LC circuit is required, It must be stressed that this is a design idea that bas not been fully developed but is printed here for the benefit of the exper- imenter. In consequence no constructional details are given for L1 and L2.Millifaradometer Project An ingenious, unusual and reliable way of measuring large-value capacitors. By Ray Bold ‘THIS instrument is capable of measuring ‘capacitors in the range 1uF to 100,000uF,, y y and was inspired by the purchase by the 4 author of a goody bag containing a huge See number of unmarked clectrolytics, and the prospect of a long tedious exercise us- volte ing a bridge to measure them. A handy electromechanical counter and some development work led to the construction, of a prototype instrument from which this, design derives. volte ‘Construction is straightforward. The ‘meter uses a bench supply rated at 12V DC and the full load current is in the Fig. 1. Charging time between voliage mits region of 200mA. Proportional 10 capacitance under constant current conditions. ‘Theory If a capacitor, which is initially discharg- ced, is charged from a constant current source, the voltage across it will change linearly with time. The time taken to charge to a given voltage will be depen- dent on the size of the capacitor and the magnitude of the charging current. Ex- pressed mathematically, cv t=cvl If we fix V and then T, then t will bea function of C, and if we then arrange to measure t, we will also be measuring C. In this design, a constant current of cither UA, 90uA, '900uA or 9mA is sup- plied to the capacitor under test (CUT). The voltage across the capacitor is monitored by a window comparator and, Fig, 2. while the voltage window comparator, a counter operates at approximately 10Hz to give an indica The circuit diegram of the within the limits of the Mliaradomerer, A Meare of tion of the capacitor’s size. Figures 1 and constant current source with the current _is opened the capacitor charges at a cons- 2 help to illustrate the theory. being selected by SWI. The capacitor tant current and its voltage increases . under test is connected to the terminals linearly with time. Since the relationship is, Circuit Description marked CUT. SW2 and R2 remove any CV = It, for a given current, the voltage The circuitry around Ql (Fig. 3) forms a initial charge on the capacitor. When SW2 _will rise between two limits over a time a Electronics Today January 1988,determined by the value of the capacitor. ICI, IC2 and associated components form a window comparator whose output goes low when the voltage across CUT lies within certain limits. The limits can be ad- justed by RVI, providing a means of calibration. The window comparator gates the astable built around IC3 which counts at the rate of approximately 10Hz, driving the counter via Q2 and Q3 as long ait is gated on. D3 and Cl decouple the supply to the sensitive parts of the circuit and protect, them from the interference generated by the counter. D4 suppresses the spikes generated by the counter. Figure 3 shows the voltages at various parts of the circuit during a measurement cycle u Fig. 3. Voltages at key poinis inthe circu, Construction The printed circuit overlay is shown in Fig. 4 and is mounted using two of the mounting posts in the case, drilled 3mm. ‘The board is drilled 3.5mm and 3mm se serews are used. Another 3mm set screw, with nut and spacer is inserted just above Icl ‘Take care to mount polarized com: ponents and semiconductors correctly, and solder in the semiconductors last. Component values are not critical but if 3 to R6 are close tolerance so much the better. Electrolytics have large tolerances which vary with age and temperature, so extreme accuracy is unnecessary. Electronics Today January 1986 Millifaradometer Project Ag. 4. The component overay “Flying leads are used to connect the instrument to the bench power supply or 12V battery Setting Up Find a capacitor between 10 and 20 uF. If possible, measure it accurately on a piece of commercial equipment. Reset’ the counter to zero and connect the capacitor. With SWI on the X1 range switch SW2 to test. The counter should operate. Note the reading and repeat the procedure ad- justing RVI to give consistently accurate results. With large value capacitors there isa delay before counting begins while the bottom of the window is reached. 4 RT Be W Alternate Time Base imultaneaus Trigger View 2 nsidiv, Max Sweep 1 Mutimode Display P-P Auto Thi 60 MHz... . $1,550 Reese 514-336-0902 613-726-4888 Steeri3e20 608-430-1410 Cirele No. 14 on Resdor Service Cara 33Millifaradometer Project Parts List Resistors (All Y4w 5M carbon film) RI aka R2 isk RS 220k 22k 22 2208 180% 15k RIO 3M) RIL 490k RZ 10k RVI 10k horizomat ‘skeleton preset, Capacitors a ow 16v ‘lesteoytic © 1001 polyester Semiconductors Ich? 3140 In Use fin doubt about the value of a capacitor, set the range switch to a high range. The counter may count a couple of times or fail to count at all, which will indicate that a lower range is required. Starting on a ow range may mean watching the counter for an excessive time until it stops. When counting finishes, simply add the number 4001 285087 2Ns401 indoor 207 dOomW zener diode Miscellaneous Swi Single-pole 4 way rotary switch swe SPST togale switch Counter, 12V, 10 impulses per sevond with sel; case (comole type); PCB; terminals; pointer knob; red and black mm plugs connecting wire; set screwy nuts, washers, transfer. For the counter, try getting one sutplus. If this is a no-go, Blectro Sonic Cat. #G0:875-106-3 should be ok. Electro Sonic, 1100 Gordon Baker Rd., Willow. ale, Ont., M2H 3B3 (416) 494-1355. of zeros indicated by the range switch and that is the value of the capacitor. To test another capacitor, switch the test switch up, replace the tested capacitor with the one to be tested, zero the counter and select a likely range. Then switch the test switch to test and watch. ‘After finding the value of a capacitor (bearing the +50%/-20% tolerance in ‘mind) it is frequently possible to find the voltage rating by referring to catalogues, aas these often give data including the physical size of capacitors. The Millifaradometer can also be ed to check electrolytics in faulty equip- ment, It should be remembered that a capacitor which is very leaky will charge slowly and seem to have a large value because of the current shunted through its own internal resistance. Capacitors which behave in this way should have their leakage checked with a multimeter set on resistance, Fig, 5. Front panel layout of the ETI Milifaredometer, ... the [@fessional Electronics Today January 1The pattern for the Millifaradometer board. How It Works ‘The Millifaradometer consists of four basic sections, ) A constant current generator based ‘on QI and associated components, by A window comparator built around ICI and IC2, ©) A gated astable multivibrator around IC3a and 1C3b, @) A counter and driver transistors Q2 and Q3. With SW2 closed, the capacitor 10 be measured is connected across the terminals marked CUT, The switch and ISR resistor ensure that the capacitor is discharged at the outset. When SW2 is opened the capacitor ccharges up via Ql, and the voltage in- creases linearly at 3 rate dependent on the current and size of the capacitor When the bottom of the window (et by the divider chain R7, R8, R9, RVI) is reached, the output of the wine dow’ comparator goes low, galing on the astable multivibrator IC3a and b. ‘This runs at approximately 10H2 and drives the counter via Q2 and Q3. After a time, determined by the value of the charging current, the size of capacitor and the width of the window (Get by RVD), the output from the com- parator goes high and the counter stops. ‘The charging currents and win- dow width are so arranged that on range I the voltage across a capacitor of 10uE will change by IV/s and dur- ing this time the counter will count to 10. A capacitor of 20uF will take twice as tong and count to 20 in 2 seconds on range 1. On the X 1000 range a capacitor of 47,000uF will take 4.7 seconds to change its charge by 1V and the counter will register 47. 7 scope at an ‘Amateur” price Philips’ oa Electronics Today January 1986 Philips PM 3206. ‘You'll never get more scope for your money! ‘Among soope users, the difference between ‘pro and “amateur” has lays been clear. But now you neetint choose between big performanoe and litle money. With Philips’ PRO-AM you car hhave both! In a professional-quality scope that's been over the “torture trai”. its § mV sonsitiity over 1S MHz already puts it in the “pro” class. (ecle No. 16 on Reeder Service Card 38Use your scope as a capacitance NEW IDEAS ren cia handy litle circuit that allows your os- cilloscope to be used asa precision capac- itance meter. Basically the device is un R- C oscillator and a wave shaper. Figure | shows the schematic for that circuit. As you can see, it consists of tree IC's along, ‘with some resistors and capacitors ‘The circuit shown is powered by 37- to 15-volt DC-supply. (A 9-volt transistor battery works just fine.) The supply con- sists of ICI (a 78L05 voltage regulator) and two filter capacitors. Next, look atthe oscillatorshaper circuit that circuit con- sists of IC2 (a MCI454I oscillatortimer) ‘and IC3 (a 74LS38 quad Nanp buffer) along with some resistors and capacitors. There are several IC’s that might have ‘been used but those were chosen because of their availability, ‘To calibrate the device, first connect your scope tO Vou» Then put the cat! TEST switch to the calibrate position and adjust the 5-kilohm potentiometer Re un- til a -millisecond cycle is generated. That’ it; easy, isn't it? The next step is t0 try tour using a known-valued capacitor, To find the value of the capacitor sim= ply conaect the component leads fo the points labeled Cy. in the schematic, With the scope still connected to Voy, set the scope’s attenuation to (typically) 2 vols. Now, adjust the sweep of the scope until you See 3 eyeles or $0 on the screen, At Fig.t that point, measure the time between two identical points on the trace (one com- plete cycle) and multiply that value by 100. That calculated valve is the capaci- tance value in microfarads. It should be pretty close to the specified value of the capacitor. If so, you can how find the value of an unknown capacitor. ‘The precision of the device, as well as the value of the smallest capacitor it can ‘measure, is limited by the Scope and the calibration capacitor C.. Typically, the device can be calibrated 10 2% or better without difficulty by using @ capacitor good to 1% or better. Those capacitors are generally more expensive, bul we're sure you'll find that they're worth it Jeff C Verive First Ogg invented the wheel, then he discovered fire. Now he’s rying to build a receiving dish for satellite TV.”RADIO-ELECTRONICS to get the most out of using Part 2 pices behind the LC meter. Now we build and align the meter so that you'll have fa very accurate instrument to add to your lab. Construction The instrument is assembled on a double-sided printed-circuit board for which templates are provided in PC Service. Altemately, a PC board hav- ing plated-through holes is available from the source given in the Parts List. The component placement is shown in Fig. 3. Note that the’ four display drivers, IC8-IC1L, are mounted under the liquid-crystal dis- play (DSP). The display must be mounted about @ inch off the PC located directly AUT Tos LC METER ‘ This month we show you how to build the inductance/capacitance meter, and show you how a a NEIL W. HECKT board if it is to be reasonably close to the front panel of the specified Pactec HPL-9VB cabinet. Three layers of low: profile 40 pin IC socket- halves plugged together will provide the clearance. On the other hand, both the kitand the finished unit spec- ified in the Parts List contain some Samtee 0,56-inch sockets. ISI, $2, and $3 are IT's Cannon- type switches, they mount directly on the PC board. However, the switches supplied with the kit are from a ferent manufacturer and it is neces- sary to mount them off the PC board in such @ manner that less than "A2- inch of the longer leads protrude through the board on the solder side. Ineither case, the correct mounting so the push-button switches will fit von Pe | a FIG. 3“THE PARTS LAYOUT for the PC board. Four integrated circuits, ICBCH, are under the display module (DSP1). Binding pos through the enclosure to spacers on the PC hoard. BPI and BP2 mount through the holes in the cabinet is for the center line of the switeh shalts to be "Ax inch above the component side of the PC board. (Note: The switches in the Kit are supplied pre-installed.) The PC board provides for two 4- pole double-throw switches and one 2-pole double-throw switch. ‘The ex- {ra contacts aren't used The LM7805 voltage regulator, ICI2, lies flat on the bourd and must have a small piece of plastic electrical tape between it and the PC board to prevent shorting the case of the reg- ulatorto the circuit traces, Of course a standard mica insulator ean also be used. Heat is not a problem as the unit draws only 17 mA, Binding posts BPS and BP2 are ‘mounted in a somewhat unusual way directly to the PC board. Drill clear ance holes for two 8-32 screws at the two binding-post locations shown in Fig. 3. Pass the screws through from the bottom of the board and secure Yi- inch 8-32 metal spacers at each loca- tion. When the cabinet is assembled. BPI and BP2 are passed through the cabinet cover into the spacers, mak- ing the electrical connections and se- curing the cabinet ‘The completed unit, with the cover removed, is shown in Fig, 4. Notice that no binding posts are shown. In- stead, there are threaded spacers in the binding-post locations on the PC board. When the cover is installed thebinding posts pass through the cover and are screwed into the spacers: thereby securing the cover while providing electrical connections to the meter. FIG. 4—THE COMPLETED METER. Fivo IC's are installed on the PC board directly under the display module, which is raised otf the board approximately ¥ inch so It Will be flush with the enclosure's window. ‘The battery isin a separate compartment that is moulded into the bottom of the en- closure. Alignment All that’s needed to align the unit is a frequency counter and a capacitor of approximately 68,000 pF who's value isknown to an accuracy of at least 1%6 That capacitor is much larger than the F standard capacitor in the tank circuit, making the standard capacitor insignificant when adjusting the stan- dard 70.5-wH inductor. Ignore the display during the initial alignment because it might be do some pretty wild things if the PLL is not in lock. (That particular adjust- ment will be made after the oscillator alignment.) Connect the frequency counter to pin 14 of IC3. The frequen- cy at that location is the oscillator frequency/I6. First calculate the oscillator fre~ quency when your known capacitor will be in the cireut: PARTS LIST All resistors ¥-watt, 5%, unless otherwise noted. Ri, R2, A7—100,000 ohms 3, RS—47,000 ohms 41000 ohms R6—1 Megohm 825,000 otis, trimmer potenti ‘omotor, 0.1" x .2" spacing 94700 ohms Capacitors: 1, C310 uF; 10 volts, tantalum €2, C4, C5,C9, C10, G15—0.4 uF, 50 volt, ceramic disc ‘C6—not used 71500 pF; 100 vol, Mylar C822 uF, polystyrene (Panasonic ECQ-1225KQ, S11 O18 SORE: poli ronaior ‘propo! *C13—12-70 pF; trimmer capacitor \(vouser ME242-1270) “C14, C16—3-10 pF. timmer capaci- ‘or (Mouser ME242-2710) Semiconductors (ctM3ttn Ic2—cD4046 '67—270256 special programmes [EPROM (see ordering note below) Ica—cp4054 Ic9-tc11—cososs: (ci2—.ze0scT ‘yOSP1—four digit LCD display, AND E0202 Inductors *LI—89 wH, variable inductor (Toko. 154ANS-T10162) 2-33 wH (J. W. Miller 8230-56) 9130.39 yH (J.W. Miller 8230-10) *L4—0.33 nH, variable inductor fae xx V(TOSE-6 x (C, + TOBETI6 where Cx is your known capacitor in pF (2 should be about 4500 Hz.) Connect Cy across the test jacks, depress Cx, switch $3, and adjust Li to obtain the calculated frequency 10 Hz, Release $3 and set coarse- adjustment C13 (12-70 pF) and fine- adjustment C14 (3-10 pF) to obtain a frequency of 44,582Hz +100 Hz. You may want to repeat the entire pro- cedure several times because there is some interaction between the adjust- ment of LI and the capacitors. Finally, set R8 to the center of the adjustment range that produces 0000 Other components, Bi—9aolt battery TBP SER Sy Bialig pas with 8 +81, $2, S3—DPOT ahemate action ‘switch (CTT Schadow 5128) 3—pushbuttons for 1-83 2-AGD sockets +2832 x Yelnch threaded spacer ‘with mounting hardware "28.32 scrowe anid star washers “1omtory terminal clip !t—socket for DSPI, Samtec ESQ.420-12-7S 1endosure, Pactat HPL-OVB Note: The following parts and kits ‘are avallable from Almost All Digital Electronics, 5211 117th St. ‘SE, Bellevue, WA 88008. ‘A complete kit containing all ‘components in the parts listwith the extéption of the EPROM, dis- play kit, enelosure, and the PC board: $69.95. A kit of hard-to- locate parts consisting of those Indicated in the parts list with the * symbol: $28.98, The pro- grammed EPROM: $19.95. The display kit consisting of those parts indicated in tie parts list with a f symbol: $18.95. The e closure, with all holes machined and a front panel decal: $19.95. The PC board with plated- through holes: $10.95 Aconiplele sbmi-kit{the switth- 8 ate mounted atid soldered) consisting of allot theebove and a “standard” capacitor for cak Ibration; $149.95. The compltay assess toa: ed, and calibrated unit: $169.95. ‘Add $5 for shipping and ha per total ordor. Washington. ntsmustadds% sales tax. onthe display. The lock range is fairly large so the adjustment isn’t critical ‘The center of the range will provide the best long-term stability rather than any immediate benefit The 9-volt battery-terminal clip cannot be installed until the PC board is installed in the cabinet because the clip cannot fit through the opening to the cabinet’s battery compartment Alternately, you can cut away part of the battery compartment’s wall so the clip can then slide through into’ the compartment. After final assembly, the only re- 961 asnonyRADIO-ELECTRONICS. 8 Philips ECG’s Master Guide J 3 gives you all the replacement semiconductor information you'll ever need. For speed, accuracy and ease-of-use, nothing beats the eee Pris Cc * Master Cuidel * SAC () Contains technical data for 4000 Philips ECG SBSH semiconductors that replace over 240,000 industry partnumbers Contains the most acurate cross-references available i New edition has 13,000 additional cross-references and 230 new devices All this, alin one book. Contact your Philips ECG distbutor or call 1-800-225-2326. Iejast might be the smarcest call you make all week The Smart Choice. PhilipsECG ‘Aer Ararcan PrilpsCamoany ECG’ DM-76 Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter: The smart choice for value! ECG DM76 Multimeter is accurate, priced right and packed full of features. Here's what you get: Auto or manual range selection 1 05% basic accuracy 1 8% digit LCD with range indicator Cl Data hold C1 20megohim fll scale Ci Transistor hpE Cl Diode Vg Ci Audible continuity test ‘Accuracy! Value! All the Features you need! Cont your ECS pratt cal 800.225.6526 jst might be the smartest call you make all Philips! ‘Nar Arrcan Piles Comeony Keep equipment in top shape with Philips ECGs top of the line ‘Audiol Video products. The best performance from any piece of equipment. The lineup that Gelversitlooks Tease snd gst gen response of audio tape decks, the AR2O frequency response cassette 1 To accurately adjust audio tape running speed and record/playback head lignment, the AR30 qpoet and adjsumentcasene To observe tape travel path in the VCR, the Video tape path View cassette 1 To measure torque in play or fast forward/rewind modes, the Video torque meter cassettes The Smart Choice. fy Contact your Philips ECG distributor or - PhilipsECG yy i, call 1808-225-8326. It just might be the stares cll you make all week ‘CIRCLE 68 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD maining operation is to adjust the zero-trimmers for the binding posts Use a non-metallic alignment tool for the adjustments. With nothing connected to the binding posts, depress switch $3 and adjust C16 for a 0.00 pF reading, The adjustment will be somewhat because the 3-10 pF trimmer tor is very tiny and has only a Ys-turn range. Next, place a piece of braided sol- der wick (which is about as close to zero inductance as you can get) across the binding posts and depress switch 82. Adjust inductor L4 for a reading of 0.00. Note: The C16-adjustment reading is hard to maintain because the effect of your hand's capacitance is well within the range of the instrument Rather than habitually make the zero adjustment, or when using test leads, ‘we suggest you measure the open cir cuit capacitance and/or short-circuit inductance as described above— in- cluding test leads if any, and subtract those values from the final reading. The range of the zero adjustments is, too small to compensate for test leads anyway. ‘The offset drift of the zero adjust ments is usually only +0.01-0.02 BH, and therefore becomes insignifi- cant (1% to 2%) when measuring components with values greater than 1 hH or 10 pF, Accuracy Using 31 inductors ranging in value from 0.1 KH to 6800 wH, and 35 capacitors ranging from 2.7 pF to 0.1 uF, the average error for inductance ‘measurements, compared to the mea- surements of a I-MHz digital HP4275A laboratory-type LCR bridge was 1.58%. Percentages for values below 0.1 Ht lose meaning because the 0.01-pH resolution would cause a minimum percentage error of 10%, degrading to 100% at 0.01 pH ‘The average error for capacitors was 0.78%. Percentages for values below 1.0 pF lose meaning because the 0.10-pF resolution would cause a minimum percentage error of 10%, degrading to 100% at 0.10 pF When the same components were measured on an HP4274A digital LCR bridge, at 100 kHz the-average error between the two laboratory in- struments was 10.17% for inductors and 7.12% for capacitors RE+ input, Digital Gapacital ‘Meter to your workbench that lets you check the value of un- marked and suspected ca- pacitors. BILL WILSON AND BILL OWEN* CAPACITOR VALUES FROM | pF TO 9999 aE are easily measured using this digital capacitance meter. A quartz timebase, precision resistors and a premium IC timer yield 1% + count accuracy. Story begins in the September issue. Construction The ntodel CM-1000 is constructed using two double-sided plated-through slass-epoxy PC boards. The display board Contains a complete four-digit counter and requires only power, ground, clock Tatch enable, and three decimal point connections. This arrangement greatly simplifies the building, testing and interfacing of the display and main counter boards. The remaining circuitry with the exception of the fuse and line cord is installed on the main counter board. The POWER/RANGE switch module solders directly to the main counter board climinating almost all of the point-to- point wiring, The electronics assembly bolts in place in the custom black ano- dized heavy-gauge aluminum enclosure. The front panel is cut out for the push- button switch module and has a window with a high contrast lens for the LED digits. The front panel controls are la- beled with a two-color silk screen. The instrument top is extended forward to protect the LED digits from direct over- head light and the instrument bottom has fa tilt stand for angled viewing. Four machine screws recessed in each side allow easy removal of instrument covers. “Proauet Engineers, Optoaleetrones, ne ‘An exploded view of the meter assembly is in Fig. 3 Bogin construction with the two PC boards. Figures 4 and 5 are foil patterns for the bottom and top sides of the master board while Fig. 6 shows the component layout. Similarly, Figs. 7 and 8 are foil patterns for the display board while Fig. 9 shows parts placement. All components, with the exception of the POWER/RANGE switch and trimmer capacitor C2, mount ‘on the component screened side of the PC board. Refer to Figs. 5 and 6 for compo- nent placement. Use a 20- to 25-watt small-tipped soldering pencil and. small diameter solder. Be careful not to for solder through the plated-through holes as shorts can result from solder pools on the component side of the PC board. Do not install the IC's at this time. ‘The POWER/RANGE switch assembly is installed using No. 4 “rinchethick fiber ‘washers next to the PC board. See Fig. 3 for assembly details. Assemble the front and rear panels and side rails using hard- ware provided. Set the assembled PC boards in place on the chassis. The main ‘counter board bolts to the side rails at four locations. When the two PC boards realigned there are cight mating pairs of foil fingers that will be soldered to con- rect the two boards. Place a I-inch piece cof excess component lead in the hold in the third finger from each end of the display board. With the component lead wires centered in the display board as shown, solder to the foil finger and bend ‘each side of both wires down to align with 2261 UIEWAAONRADIO-ELECTRONICS DISPLAY 80, MOUNTING SOUTER i) PATCHING PADS use cur nBSisTOR LEAD WIRE FORBRACINGAT | ‘SRO CONTACT FROW EACH omen SUHrING MOUNT sw rT OW CORNER PINS From ‘TRANSFORWER ato FIG. EXPLODED VIEW of the model CM-1000 digits. the kit Use this a ule it you bul your met Gy Flase Washers ‘ThansroaMer: FUSE HOLDER: Lune con — REAR PANEL WIRING kK ff 4 To ote "To rowenou 1 2 EDEN ES risen SIA nan nue < 2=-WYLON SCREW DecinaL | 9 oun ‘APPLY HeaTSIN wounTing CoweDuKo To BoTH o1.2.3) ) Sioes or mica oR THSULATOR. —\ Tas ~~ cariove Resistors are 10%, % watt untess. ‘otherwise noted 1—249,000 ohms, metal fm, 0.25%. Ym watt R2— 11,800 ohms, metal flim, 0.25%, % ‘watt Ra-—2490 ohms, metal film, 1%, Ys watt 4220 ohms, 8% 5, RB, R21— 100 onms, carbon potentiometer, 1 watt R6—243 ohms, metal film, 1%, R7—33 ohms, 5% 9, R11— 10.000 ohms 10-3900 ohms. R12, Ri4—330 ohms 136.8 megonms 168.2 megohms R16—180 ohms Ri7-R19—2200 ohms. 201000 ohms F22—11 megohms 23-R26— 100 ohms. R27, R28—4700 obs C147 oF NPO disc. (C2 16-60 pF, ceramic trimmer PARTS LIST €9, 619. 619, 623~0.47 sf 50 volts G4, 63-5 348 tomtahirn 600 ue 67,68, 68.13, 012, C14, 617, 20, or, Cob 0 ne crore Ste— 02 nF 21-2400 gf, 16 vos, electrommie Goa220 uF. 25,0Re, ectoiytle 24-33 pFNO dise ©25—82'pFNPO dice e670 pF aac Bi-04—1ht00e slicon retier ead Iey-—856 ua timer 162164, 1642, lea, 1616, 6X8 7ALS90 otade courtier lose 74.570 tp top 166-400" quad NOR gate Ier—7aL.Sos nex verter 168, 1C8—74L.S00 quad 24rput NANO at IcO-SE555 precision timer 1611 —votage regulator, 7805 IG, 1C15, 1617 Ie 454 BOD to ‘segment decoder/siver DIS1-DIS4—MAN-6680 7-segment LED display XTALI—quartz crystal, 3.579 Miz '81-S5—5-gang SPST pushbutton switch ‘T1—power transformer, 117 VAG primary, 10 VAC secondary Jt, J2—Insulated banana jack Fi 120-volt, 125-mA fuse Miscellaneous: PC boards, 1 8-pin IC socket, 4 16-pin IC sockets, 14 14-pin IC socket line cord, hardware The following parts are available from Optoelectronics, Inc., 5821 N.E. 14 Ave> nue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334. (CM-1000K Complete Kit $129.95 CM-1000WT Factory Wired & Tested 179.95 eM-1000 8 Boards Oniy 24.95 P-1000K Cap. Counter Probe Kit 2.95 P1000 Assembied Probe. 6.95 ‘Add 8% shipping, handling and insurance, for foreign orders add 10%. Florida resi- dents add 4% State Sales Tax. holes in the main counter board. Insert the wire ends in their respective locations fon the main counter board and push the display board down until the foil finger pairs touch. Check alignment to sec that the display board is at right angles to the counter board and that the fol fingers are perfectly aligned. Solder the wires to the main counter board and after rechecking alignment solder the matching foil fin- ‘gers together. Feed 6 feet of the AC line cord through the back pane! and secure using plastic strain relief. Mount the transform= er, fuse holder, using hardware provided on the back panel where indicated, Wire ‘one side of the AC line through the power switch to the transformer primary as shown. The other side of the AC line runs to the other side of the transformer primary through the fuse holder.ao ie for the bottom ( Fig. S—COMPONENT. SIDE follpatern. Board supplied in kit has plate-hrough holes. CompensateRADIO-ELECTRONICS Before installing (C's into sockets, per- form a simple test by plugging in the AC power cord and depressing one of the range switches. Connect a voltmeter be- ‘tween the negative input terminal on the front pane] and test point 1 (TPL). It should be possible to measure 5 volts DC bby adjusting R21. If the voltage checks, ‘then install all 1C°s in their sockets mak- ing sure that the notch on the IC is aligned with the outline on the printed circuit board. FIG. 6 COMPONENT LAYOUT forthe main board. Trimmer capacitor C2 is mounted on underside of board. Ge text on Put and R2. INTERIOR VIEW of the Optoetectronics mace! (CM1000 aigital capacitance meter. Calibration ‘With IC’s installed, reapply power and adjust TP! for +5 volts referenced to ‘ground. Depress the R1/PF switch and use small bladed screwdriver to turn the ‘ZERO ADJUST control (lrimmer capacitor C2) until a reading of 0001 is observed. Continue to turn the control until the “1” turns to “0.” Be sat adjust any further. The next step requires the use of an accurately known capacitor. The parts kit su SOLDER SIDE FIG, 7—BACK SIDE OF DISPLAY PANEL Is etched with this fl pattern. f ~ Tc 6% CcomPoneNr sine oS FIG. 8—FOIL PATTERN for tho component font side of the display PC board ‘ee out as shown. Decade counters an driver IC's are of ind tow capacitors and re AI. includes a calibrated capacitor with its value marked on the package. Connect this capacitor across the input terminals and depress the Ri/aF switch. Adjust trimmer RS to produce a reading equal to the value given, Use a low-leakage capacitor between 10 and 22 uF to calibrate range R4/sF with trimmer R8 by comparing its read- ing to that observed on the previously calibrated 3/aF range. RECAPACITANCE-METER ERRORS In the capacitance-meter article in the July 1989 issue of Radio-Elec- tronics, Fig. 3 shows pin 7 of IC3 (the 555 astable) connected to R13. or R14 via switch $3-b, with both potentiometers grounded. Figure in the sidebar on page 40 shows pin 7 connected to the collector of an internal NPN transistor. Also, pin7 of ICI and IC2 (the 555 mono- stables) is tied to +5V. Even if a555 astable could function with pin 7 grounded, your schematic shows pin 2 tied to pin 4. Checking on a breadboard shows that there’s no way for 2555 to function with pins 4 and/or 7 grounded. RICHARD P. MARQUISS Wheaton, MD You're right. The bottom termi- nals of R13 and Ri4 (connected to switch $3-b in Fig. 3 on page 39), and pin 4 of IC3 should be tied to +5V, not ground. However, pin 6 is correctly connected to C6. Al- though wrong in the schematic, the PC board and Parts-Placement diagram are correct. We also found several errors in the sidebar on pages 40-41 that you didn’t notice. The two “PRES- ENT/ABSENT” labels in the upper left-hand corner of Fig. 1 in theoooops: ‘There are errors in the schematic of the

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