It's worthwhile having a good LCR meter on the bench. That Matrix unit looks great, with a lot of useful features that would have easily found the fault that I had. I had a faulty German industrial switching supply to repair. A pair of 470n poly caps measured fine when using a Fluke handheld multimeter. My Keysight LCR meter showed that at 10kHz and above, the capacitance dropped to 6nF, and ESR increased to well over 10 Ohms. The power supply worked when these caps were replaced. High ESR is a common failure mode in electrolytic caps, but I haven't seen it in a poly cap before, and I don't know what internal failure could cause it and why a normal multimeter missed it. It must be the different measurement techniques that they use.
I'm at the 13 minutes mark, and I just noticed something. You have the model which goes up to maximum 100khz, yet it allows you to select frequencies up to 200khz, weird.
Very nice meter, but quite a bit out of my price range and more functionality than I need. I bought a DER EE DE-5000 High Accuracy Handheld LCR Meter TL-21 TL-23 Set Tools for about $104 which included shipping. I like it and it takes care of my needs. Test frequency: 100/120/1 k/10 k/100 kHz (0.5 Vrms, sine wave) Not as elaborate, but does show many of the same variables and seems fairly accurate. I've collected the parts I need to be able to use BNC connected probes like the ones that came with your meter, and also tweezer probes so I can interchanges them as needed. I believe as a hobbyist I'm set.
That's a great buy and all most of us need. I wanted something to compare those things with so I can somehow judge the accuracy and compare functions;)
The meter front and the model capabilities eliminate the 200 kHz. Looks like it has the 200 kHz frequency oscillator, but try to indicate that it does not provide usable readings! As to the resistances at different frequencies, the choke name plate mentioned R-DC. The skin depth with the normal magnet wire of your choke size starts causing resistance to go way up from 10 kHz. And, obviously you get meaningless numbers at 200 kHz!
Hey, how is it that that MCR-5100 goes up to 200 kHz? Spec sheet says top end is 100 kHz. But the MCR-5200 does go to 200 kHz.... The video shows "MCR-5100 100 kHz" sticker on the front of the meter. What gives? Is that really a MCR-5200? EDIT: I purchased the MCR-5100 and I received it today. After reading the manual (reads more like a datasheet) I checked the frequency selections from the front panel and found the MCR-5100 does in fact go to 200 kHz 😲 The 150 kHz and 200 kHz options are both there. So, pleasantly surprised. And now I'm wonder what the MCR-5200 is capable of?
Hey Eddie! Awesome new LCR meter!!! FYI; I bought a Matrix 300W programmable DC Load unit for my private, at home bench, a few years back and its accuracy honestly impresses me. BK Precision makes a very similar unit, but for double the cost... so it was an easy decision for me! In my opinion, Matrix builds some really good equipment. Also, I have an old Sencore LC102, which I bought off of eBay roughly ten years ago, for LCR measurement. Not exactly new, but it works pretty well. I know that you will enjoy the new Matrix toy!
The large port on the back is not for printers but rather instrument control via standardized GPIB hardware and software. There are some GPIB to USB adapters but first look into software availability unless you want to develop your own. The manual will likely detail the commands. :)
Hi Mr. Eddie, did I read it correctly that your MCR-5100 goes up to 200 KHZ ? ( at 16:44 minutes) I happen to have the MCR-5200, wich goes up to 200 KHZ. Would it then only make a difference in software? And have you installed the software version of the MCR-5200 on your MCR-5100 ? Best regards, Ray
I just noticed this as well. The range for the 5100 is 100KHz. I just bought the 5200 to get a higher range (200KHz) and now wonder if my purchase was the way to go. (EDIT) Looks like I should have kept reading, lots of comments about this.
What a coincidence! I've been looking for a nice LCR meter to buy for days (also watched your reviews today). I was very unsure about this one, I might buy it if you say its worth the money!
Thanks! I've only just begun to play with it - but at this point I am very happy. I'll compare it with my Omicron Bode meter which is much more expensive;)
The companies website does not inspire confidence. ZERO software available for ANY device they sell. User manual does not even have a table of contents, lacks detail - for example there is an rs232 interface but NO commands for it are detailed. Therefore you cant write your own software to control it for example to create graphs of impedance vs test frequency... under the service tab on the website, warrantee is a dummy entry, FAQ is a dummy entry, operation guide is a dummy entry.... under download data sheet only has two devices, software is a dummy entry, only catalogue and user manual have links to actual downloads. Given the price of this device I would seriously question the lack of software and documentation. There are also no service or calibration manuals, no firmware updates. under News on the website the ONLY entry says that they have upgraded the company logo.... and that entry is dated April 1st 2020...
This kind of meter would be very useful for example when comparing wah pedal inductors etc. It would be very easy to tell if specs of reproductions of those mythical vintage coils are even close to original ones. Probably not... 😁 Very nice video.👍
Hey guys - my views really drop off when I do the JAT501 videos. I wish those that like them would hit the like button and comment, but there's little activity, so it makes me think I need to do other videos and mix in a JAT501 video once in awhile. I watch the statistics and try to make the many happy;)
I’ve had this same meter in my cart for several days now. After this video I went ahead and purchased the meter. Thanks for the review. How were you getting the meter to go to 200k? I thought the mcr-5100 was only to 100k and the mcr-5200 was the 200k meter?
Thanks for the great question. And great eye for detail;) I didn't want spend too much time talking about the 200k, and I didn't want the company to change this;) I think it is basically a firmware thing and it is turned on for both machines. Not sure but I hope it stays that way for others;) Please let us know what you think. I love it.
i have a question that i cant find an answer too. i have a bench lcr meter and it has 4 connections for the kelvin clip test leads. the meter's test lead connections are marked Lcur, Lpot and Hcur,Hpot. which two connections does the positive test lead connect to? i cant find which test lead goes to which two terminals anywhere.
Thanks for asking. My guess would be that the Hcur is red test and Hpot is red sense, and Lcur is black test and Lpot is black sense. Does that make sense?
HI Eddie, Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed, you make this easy to understand. Nice Video, thank you 👏😄
Thank you so much! I appreciate you!
It's worthwhile having a good LCR meter on the bench. That Matrix unit looks great, with a lot of useful features that would have easily found the fault that I had.
I had a faulty German industrial switching supply to repair. A pair of 470n poly caps measured fine when using a Fluke handheld multimeter.
My Keysight LCR meter showed that at 10kHz and above, the capacitance dropped to 6nF, and ESR increased to well over 10 Ohms.
The power supply worked when these caps were replaced.
High ESR is a common failure mode in electrolytic caps, but I haven't seen it in a poly cap before, and I don't know what internal failure could cause it and why a normal multimeter missed it. It must be the different measurement techniques that they use.
I'm at the 13 minutes mark, and I just noticed something.
You have the model which goes up to maximum 100khz, yet it allows you to select frequencies up to 200khz, weird.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. Wrong software?
Thanks for noticing! It is funny - I totally missed that;) I wonder if they are all like this;)
Very nice meter, but quite a bit out of my price range and more functionality than I need.
I bought a DER EE DE-5000 High Accuracy Handheld LCR Meter TL-21 TL-23 Set Tools for about $104 which included shipping. I like it and it takes care of my needs.
Test frequency: 100/120/1 k/10 k/100 kHz (0.5 Vrms, sine wave)
Not as elaborate, but does show many of the same variables and seems fairly accurate.
I've collected the parts I need to be able to use BNC connected probes like the ones that came with your meter, and also tweezer probes so I can interchanges them as needed.
I believe as a hobbyist I'm set.
That's a great buy and all most of us need. I wanted something to compare those things with so I can somehow judge the accuracy and compare functions;)
The meter front and the model capabilities eliminate the 200 kHz. Looks like it has the 200 kHz frequency oscillator, but try to indicate that it does not provide usable readings! As to the resistances at different frequencies, the choke name plate mentioned R-DC. The skin depth with the normal magnet wire of your choke size starts causing resistance to go way up from 10 kHz. And, obviously you get meaningless numbers at 200 kHz!
Hey, how is it that that MCR-5100 goes up to 200 kHz? Spec sheet says top end is 100 kHz. But the MCR-5200 does go to 200 kHz.... The video shows "MCR-5100 100 kHz" sticker on the front of the meter. What gives? Is that really a MCR-5200?
EDIT: I purchased the MCR-5100 and I received it today. After reading the manual (reads more like a datasheet) I checked the frequency selections from the front panel and found the MCR-5100 does in fact go to 200 kHz 😲 The 150 kHz and 200 kHz options are both there. So, pleasantly surprised. And now I'm wonder what the MCR-5200 is capable of?
Hey Eddie! Awesome new LCR meter!!! FYI; I bought a Matrix 300W programmable DC Load unit for my private, at home bench, a few years back and its accuracy honestly impresses me. BK Precision makes a very similar unit, but for double the cost... so it was an easy decision for me! In my opinion, Matrix builds some really good equipment. Also, I have an old Sencore LC102, which I bought off of eBay roughly ten years ago, for LCR measurement. Not exactly new, but it works pretty well. I know that you will enjoy the new Matrix toy!
Thanks so much.... If you look at the BK - are you sure it is there's - or is it a white labeled Matrix?? I don't know - but I have my suspicions;)
I've been pining one of those for years, but could never justify it. ...looking forward to the rest of your video (just started watching) :)
It does seem to be a great meter - especially for the price of a benchtop LCR meter that can do these frequencies!
The large port on the back is not for printers but rather instrument control via standardized GPIB hardware and software. There are some GPIB to USB adapters but first look into software availability unless you want to develop your own. The manual will likely detail the commands. :)
Thank you Alex - I am sure that you are right. This instrument can be used in production and automated;)
Hi Mr. Eddie,
did I read it correctly that your MCR-5100 goes up to 200 KHZ ? ( at 16:44 minutes)
I happen to have the MCR-5200, wich goes up to 200 KHZ.
Would it then only make a difference in software? And have you installed the software version of the MCR-5200 on your MCR-5100 ?
Best regards,
Ray
I just noticed this as well. The range for the 5100 is 100KHz. I just bought the 5200 to get a higher range (200KHz) and now wonder if my purchase was the way to go. (EDIT) Looks like I should have kept reading, lots of comments about this.
What a coincidence! I've been looking for a nice LCR meter to buy for days (also watched your reviews today). I was very unsure about this one, I might buy it if you say its worth the money!
Thanks! I've only just begun to play with it - but at this point I am very happy. I'll compare it with my Omicron Bode meter which is much more expensive;)
The companies website does not inspire confidence. ZERO software available for ANY device they sell. User manual does not even have a table of contents, lacks detail - for example there is an rs232 interface but NO commands for it are detailed. Therefore you cant write your own software to control it for example to create graphs of impedance vs test frequency...
under the service tab on the website, warrantee is a dummy entry, FAQ is a dummy entry, operation guide is a dummy entry....
under download data sheet only has two devices, software is a dummy entry, only catalogue and user manual have links to actual downloads. Given the price of this device I would seriously question the lack of software and documentation. There are also no service or calibration manuals, no firmware updates.
under News on the website the ONLY entry says that they have upgraded the company logo.... and that entry is dated April 1st 2020...
This kind of meter would be very useful for example when comparing wah pedal inductors etc. It would be very easy to tell if specs of reproductions of those mythical vintage coils are even close to original ones. Probably not... 😁
Very nice video.👍
Thanks so much! It would be great to compare inductors;)
wow great look 👌
Thank you 😊
Not bad piece of kit, it would have been nice to see some comparisons with your other meter's. looking forward to seeing the JAT501 PSU...cheers.
Maybe they will bury it with us at the rate Eddie is going hahaha.
@@jstro-hobbytech Lol !!
Thanks! I will do follow up videos comparing meters;)
Hey guys - my views really drop off when I do the JAT501 videos. I wish those that like them would hit the like button and comment, but there's little activity, so it makes me think I need to do other videos and mix in a JAT501 video once in awhile. I watch the statistics and try to make the many happy;)
@@KissAnalog I get ya. You need to get something back too for the time you put in.
Hi, did you receive a software CD? after saving file into .LCR file how to open this?
Is there a way to calibrate the leads?
I wanna review or model number of the multimeter shown in the review behind the lcr meter with the auto feature plz
Love it, but, I hate the way it does RS. I want RS to be DC RS not entangled with impedance.
I agree Steven, I wish there was an Rac and Rdc so we could see the components, but changing through the frequencies helps show the differences.
@@KissAnalog Helps, but still annoying. Maybe there is a setting that helps with this ???
I'm using 14usd LCR
That's great! How has it worked out? Which one is it?
Hi old man how are you??
I'm good for an old man:)
@@KissAnalog hahaha I like you
Yeah, lead inductance is a bitch!
Twisting the cables is something that should have been obvious to me, but I completely missed that. Thank you! :)
Thanks Steven - this was a Cool way to show how twisting the wires makes a difference.
I’ve had this same meter in my cart for several days now. After this video I went ahead and purchased the meter. Thanks for the review.
How were you getting the meter to go to 200k? I thought the mcr-5100 was only to 100k and the mcr-5200 was the 200k meter?
Thanks for the great question. And great eye for detail;) I didn't want spend too much time talking about the 200k, and I didn't want the company to change this;) I think it is basically a firmware thing and it is turned on for both machines. Not sure but I hope it stays that way for others;) Please let us know what you think. I love it.
i have a question that i cant find an answer too. i have a bench lcr meter and it has 4 connections for the kelvin clip test leads. the meter's test lead connections are marked Lcur, Lpot and Hcur,Hpot. which two connections does the positive test lead connect to? i cant find which test lead goes to which two terminals anywhere.
Thanks for asking. My guess would be that the Hcur is red test and Hpot is red sense, and Lcur is black test and Lpot is black sense. Does that make sense?
@@KissAnalog yes it does, thank you
That’s great!