Agilent Technologies U1731C User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent U1731C, U1732C,
and U1733C Handheld
LCR Meter
User’s Guide

II U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2011–2012
No part of this manual may be reproduced in
any form or by any means (including elec-
tronic storage and retrieval or translation
into a foreign language) without prior agree-
ment and written consent from Agilent
Technologies, Inc. as governed by United
States and international copyright laws.
Manual Part Number
U1731-90077
Edition
Seventh Edition, November 28, 2012
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
5301, Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051 USA
Warranty
The material contained in this document is
provided “as is,” and is subject to change,
without notice, in future editions. Further,
to the maximum extent permitted by the
applicable law, Agilent disclaims all war-
ranties, either express or implied, with
regard to this manual and any information
contained herein, including but not limited
to the implied warranties of merchantabil-
ity and fitness for a particular purpose.
Agilent shall not be liable for errors or for
incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing, use, or
performance of this document or of any
information contained herein. Should Agi-
lent and the user have a separate written
agreement with warranty terms covering
the material in this document that conflict
with these terms, the warranty terms in
the separate agreement shall control.
Technology Licenses
The hardware and or software described in
this document are furnished under a license
and may be used or copied only in accor-
dance with the terms of such license.
Restricted Rights Legend
U.S. Government Restricted Rights. Soft-
ware and technical data rights granted to
the federal government include only those
rights customarily provided to end user cus-
tomers. Agilent provides this customary
commercial license in Software and techni-
cal data pursuant to FAR 12.211 (Technical
Data) and 12.212 (Computer Software) and,
for the Department of Defense, DFARS
252.227-7015 (Technical Data - Commercial
Items) and DFARS 227.7202-3 (Rights in
Commercial Computer Software or Com-
puter Software Documentation).
Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a haz-
ard. It calls attention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the likes
of that, if not correctly performed
or adhered to, could result in dam-
age to the product or loss of impor-
tant data. Do not proceed beyond a
CAUTION notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and
met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the likes of that, if not correctly
performed or adhered to, could
result in personal injury or death.
Do not proceed beyond a WARN-
ING notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood
and met.

U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide III
Safety Symbols
The following symbols on the instrument and in the documentation
indicate precautions which must be taken to maintain safe operation of
the instrument.
Direct current (DC) Off (supply)
Alternating current (AC) On (supply)
Both direct and alternating current Caution, risk of electric shock
Three-phase alternating current Caution, risk of danger (refer to this manual
for specific Warning or Caution information)
Earth (ground) terminal Caution, hot surface
Protective conductor terminal Out position of a bi-stable push control
Frame or chassis terminal In position of a bi-stable push control
Equipotentiality
Equipment protected throughout by
double insulation or reinforced
insulation

IV U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide
Safety Considerations
Read the information below before using this instrument.
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all
phases of operation, service, and repair of this instrument. Failure to
comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this
manual violates safety standards for design, manufacture, and intended
use of the instrument. Agilent Technologies assumes no liability for the
customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.
CAUTION
•Disconnect circuit power and discharge all high-voltage capacitors
before testing.
•When measuring in-circuit components, first de-energize the
circuits before connecting them to the test leads.
•This device is for indoor use at altitudes of up to 2000 m.
•Always use the specified battery type (listed in “Product
Characteristics" on page 76). The power for the meter is supplied
with a single standard 9 V battery. Observe the correct polarity
markings before you insert the battery to ensure proper insertion of
the battery in the meter.
•Line operation is also possible using a 12 V AC to DC adapter. If a
power adapter is selected, please be sure it meets the safety
requirements of a relevant IEC standard.

U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide V
WARNING
• Use this meter only as specified in this manual; otherwise, the
protection provided by the meter may be impaired.
• Do not use the meter if it is damaged. Before you use the meter,
inspect the case. Look for cracks or missing plastic. Pay
particular attention to the insulation surrounding the connectors.
• Inspect the test leads for damaged insulation or exposed metal.
Check the test leads for continuity. Replace damaged test leads
before you use the meter.
• Do not operate the meter around explosive gas, vapor, or wet
environments.
• Never use the meter in wet conditions or when there is water on
the surface. If the meter is wet, ensure that the meter is dried only
by trained personnel.
• When servicing the meter, use only the specified replacement
parts.
• When using the probes, keep your fingers behind the finger
guards on the probes.
• Connect the common test lead before you connect the live test
lead. When you disconnect the leads, disconnect the live test lead
first.
• Remove the test leads from the meter before you open the battery
cover.
• Do not operate the meter with the battery cover or portions of the
cover removed or loosened.
• To avoid false readings, which may lead to possible electric shock
or personal injury, replace the battery as soon as the low battery
indicator appears and flashes.

VI U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide
Environmental Conditions
This instrument is designed for indoor use and in an area with low
condensation. The table below shows the general environmental
requirements for this instrument.
Environmental conditions Requirements
Operating temperature Full accuracy from –10 °C to 55 °C
Operating humidity Full accuracy up to 80% RH (relative humidity)
Storage temperature –20 °C to 70 °C
Storage humidity 0% to 80% RH non-condensing
Altitude Up to 2000 meters
Pollution degree Pollution degree II
NOTE
The U1731C/U1732C/U1733C Handheld LCR Meter complies with the following
safety and EMC requirements:
•IEC61010-1:2001/EN61010-1:2001 (Second Edition)
•IEC 61326-1:2005/EN 61326-1:2006
•Canada: ICES/NMB-001:Issue 4, June 2006
•Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS CISPR11:2004

U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide VII
Regulatory Markings
The CE mark is a registered trademark
of the European Community. This CE
mark shows that the product complies
with all the relevant European Legal
Directives.
The C-tick mark is a registered
trademark of the Spectrum
Management Agency of Australia. This
signifies compliance with
the Australia EMC Framework
regulations under the terms of the
Radio Communication Act of 1992.
ICES/NMB-001 indicates that this ISM
device complies with the Canadian
ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est confomre a la
norme NMB-001 du Canada.
This instrument complies with the
WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) marking
requirement. This affixed product label
indicates that you must not discard
this electrical or electronic product in
domestic household waste.
This symbol indicates the time period
during which no hazardous or toxic
substance elements are expected to
leak or deteriorate during normal use.
Forty years is the expected useful life
of the product.

VIII U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC
This instrument complies with the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) marking
requirement. This affixed product label indicates that you must not discard
this electrical or electronic product in domestic household waste.
Product Category:
With reference to the equipment types in the WEEE directive Annex 1, this
instrument is classified as a “Monitoring and Control Instrument” product.
The affixed product label is as shown below.
Do not dispose in domestic household waste.
To return this unwanted instrument, contact your nearest Agilent Service
Centre, or visit
www.agilent.com/environment/product
for more information.

U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide IX
Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
The Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this instrument is available on the
Agilent website. You can search the DoC by its product model or
description at the web address below.
http://regulations.corporate.agilent.com/DoC/search.htm
NOTE
If you are unable to search for the respective DoC, please contact your
local Agilent representative.

X U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide
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U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide XI
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
About This Manual 2
Documentation map 2
Safety notes 2
Preparing Your LCR Meter 3
Check the shipment 3
Install the battery 3
Turn on your LCR meter 5
Automatic Power-Off (APO) 6
Enabling the backlight 6
Selecting the range 7
Adjusting the tilt stand 8
Connecting the IR-USB cable 9
Power-on options 10
Your LCR Meter in Brief 11
Dimensions 11
Overview 13
Keypad 15
Display screen 18
Input terminals 22
Cleaning Your LCR Meter 23
2 Features and Functions
Making Measurements 26
Auto Identification (Ai) function 26
Measuring inductance (L) 29
Measuring capacitance (C) 31
Measuring resistance (R) 33
Measuring impedance (Z) 35

XII U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide
Measuring dissipation factor/quality factor/phase angle
(D/Q/θ) 37
Changing the test frequency 37
Selecting parallel/series circuit mode (P/S) 37
Setting the standard reference tolerance (Tol%) 38
Enabling ESR measurements 39
Enabling DCR measurements 39
Additional Features 40
Freezing the display (Hold) 40
Enabling the static recording mode (Rec) 40
Setting the high/low limit comparison (Limit) 42
Making relative measurements (Null) 45
Performing the open/short CAL 46
3 Setup Options
Using the Setup Menu 52
Editing numerical values 53
Setup Menu Summary 54
Setup Menu Items 56
Changing the initial power-on behavior 56
Changing the Ai function’s phase angle condition 63
Changing the power-on limit category and set 65
Changing the user high/low limit values 66
Changing the baud rate 68
Changing the parity check 69
Changing the data bits 70
Changing the beep frequency 71
Locking the push buttons 72
Changing the auto power-off and backlight time-outs 73
Resetting the Setup items 74

U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide XIII
4 Characteristics and Specifications
Product Characteristics 76
Specification Assumptions 77
Electrical Specifications 78
Impedance/Resistance/DCR specifications 78
Capacitance specifications 79
Inductance specifications 80
Phase angle of impedance specifications 81
Dissipation/Quality factor specifications 82
Test signal specifications 83
Source impedance of impedance/resistance
measurement 84
Source impedance of capacitance measurement 85
Source impedance of inductance measurement 86
SMD Tweezers Specifications 87
Electrical characteristics 88

XIV U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide

U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide XV
List of Figures
Figure 1-1 Installing the batteries 4
Figure 1-2 Power-on button 5
Figure 1-3 Tilt-stand adjustment and IR cable connection 8
Figure 1-4 Agilent GUI Data Logger Software 9
Figure 1-5 Width dimensions 11
Figure 1-6 Height and depth dimensions 12
Figure 1-7 Front panel 13
Figure 1-8 Rear panel 14
Figure 2-1 Using the Ai function 26
Figure 2-2 Inductance measurement with Q factor 29
Figure 2-3 Measuring inductance 30
Figure 2-4 Capacitance measurement with D factor 31
Figure 2-5 Measuring capacitance 32
Figure 2-6 Resistance measurement 33
Figure 2-7 Measuring resistance 34
Figure 2-8 Impedance measurement with theta 35
Figure 2-9 Measuring impedance 36
Figure 2-10 Component above setting tolerance 38
Figure 2-11 ESR measurement with theta 39
Figure 2-12 DCR measurement 39
Figure 2-13 Using the Hold function 40
Figure 2-14 Using the Rec function 41
Figure 2-15 Using the Limit function 43
Figure 2-16 High and low limit values 44
Figure 2-17 nGo and Go indications 44
Figure 2-18 Using the Null function 45
Figure 2-19 Using the Cal function 47
Figure 2-20 Open calibration and short calibration prompts 48
Figure 3-1 Changing the power-on measurement type 57
Figure 3-2 Changing the power-on test frequency 58
Figure 3-3 Changing the power-on secondary parameter and
measurement mode for inductance (L)
measurements 59
Figure 3-4 Changing the power-on secondary parameter and
measurement mode for capacitance (C)

XVI U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide
measurements 60
Figure 3-5 Changing the power-on secondary parameter and
measurement mode for resistance (R)
measurements 61
Figure 3-6 Changing the power-on open/short CAL 62
Figure 3-7 Changing the Ai function’s phase angle condition 64
Figure 3-8 Changing the power-on limit and category set 65
Figure 3-9 Changing the user high/low limit values 67
Figure 3-10 Changing the baud rate 68
Figure 3-11 Changing the parity check 69
Figure 3-12 Changing the data bits 70
Figure 3-13 Changing the beep frequency 71
Figure 3-14 Locking the push buttons 72
Figure 3-15 Changing the auto power-off and backlight
time-outs 73
Figure 3-16 Resetting the Setup items 74
Figure 4-1 U1782B SMD tweezers 87

U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide XVII
List of Tables
Ta b l e 1 - 1 Battery level indicator 5
Ta b l e 1 - 2 Power-on options 10
Ta b l e 1 - 3 Front panel parts 13
Ta b l e 1 - 4 Rear panel parts 14
Ta b l e 1 - 5 Keypad functions 15
Ta b l e 1 - 6 General annunciators 18
Ta b l e 1 - 7 Measurement units display 21
Ta b l e 1 - 8 Input terminal/socket connections 22
Ta b l e 2 - 1 Auto identification phase angle rules 27
Ta b l e 2 - 2 Auto identification series/parallel rules for resistance
measurements 27
Ta b l e 2 - 3 Auto identification series/parallel rules for capacitance
measurements 28
Ta b l e 2 - 4 Auto identification series/parallel rules for inductance
measurements 28
Ta b l e 2 - 5 Available test frequencies 37
Ta b l e 2 - 6 Factory default high and low limit values 42
Ta b l e 3 - 1 Setup menu key functions 52
Ta b l e 3 - 2 Setup menu item descriptions 54
Ta b l e 3 - 3 Auto identification phase angle rules 63
Ta b l e 3 - 4 Default user high/low limit values 66
Ta b l e 4 - 1 Impedance/Resistance/DCR specifications 78
Ta b l e 4 - 2 Capacitance specifications 79
Ta b l e 4 - 3 Inductance specifications 80
Ta b l e 4 - 4 Phase angle of impedance specifications 81
Ta b l e 4 - 5 Dissipation/Quality factor specifications 82
Ta b l e 4 - 6 Test signal specifications 83
Ta b l e 4 - 7 Source impedance of impedance/resistance
measurement 84
Ta b l e 4 - 8 Source impedance of capacitance measurement 85
Ta b l e 4 - 9 Source impedance of inductance measurement 86
Ta b l e 5 U1782B SMD tweezers electrical characteristics 88

XVIII U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide

1
U1731C/U1732C/U1733C Handheld LCR Meter
User’s Guide
Agilent Technologies
1
Introduction
About This Manual 2
Documentation map 2
Safety notes 2
Preparing Your LCR Meter 3
Check the shipment 3
Install the battery 3
Turn on your LCR meter 5
Automatic Power-Off (APO) 6
Enabling the backlight 6
Selecting the range 7
Adjusting the tilt stand 8
Connecting the IR-USB cable 9
Power-on options 10
Your LCR Meter in Brief 11
Dimensions 11
Overview 13
Keypad 15
Display screen 18
Input terminals 22
Cleaning Your LCR Meter 23
This chapter teaches you how to set up your LCR meter for
the first time. An introduction to all the features and
capabilities of the LCR meter is also given.

1 Introduction
About This Manual
2 U1731C/U1732C/U1733C User’s Guide
About This Manual
The descriptions and instructions in this manual apply to
the Agilent U1731C, U1732C, and U1733C handheld LCR
meters (hereafter referred to as the LCR meter).
The model U1733C appears in all illustrations.
Documentation map
The following manuals and software are available for your
LCR meter. For the very latest version, please visit our
website at: http://www.agilent.com/find/hhTechLib.
Check the manual revision on the first page of each manual.
• User’s Guide. This manual.
•QuickStartGuide.Printed copy for outdoor use,
included with shipment.
• Agilent GUI Data Logger Software, Quick Start Guide,
and Help. Free download at the Agilent website.
Safety notes
Safety notes are used throughout this manual (see the
“Safety Notices” section for format examples). Familiarize
yourself with each of the notes and its meaning before
operating your LCR meter.
More pertinent safety notes for using this product are
located under the “Safety Considerations” section.
Do not proceed beyond a safety notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and met.