Quick Start Guide - DC1000 + HP / Agilent HP4284
Using the test leads that were supplied with your DC1000 and with your LCR meter, it is easy to setup your 4284A for testing any inductor under real DC bias loading.
1, SET-UP AND WARM-UP
As with any measuring equipment, allow both the DC1000 and your LCR to
warm up for 30 minutes to ensure stable readings.
Enable the DC1000 by fitting your interlock system to the Interlock IN port on
the rear of the unit, or use the Interlock Override plug provided with the unit.
Open circuit compensation: set-up
1 Remove any UUT (unit under test)
2 Try to keep all test leads in the same position as when the UUT is present
3 Turn the DC1000 ON
4 Set the DC1000A to 0.00A, using the rotary knob if needed
5 Set DC1000 output to ON (press “output” button)
6 Leave the wiring set up like this and proceed to the next step
Open circuit compensation on the HP4284A
1 On the HP4284A, press the MEAS SETUP button
2 Use the soft keys to the right of the display to select CORRECTION (see
right image)
3 Using the Arrow keys, move the cursor down to OPEN
4 Press the soft key next to ON to enable the HP4284A open circuit correction
5 Press the soft key next to MEAS OPEN and wait
6 The compensation process can take 60-120 seconds, during which the HP
will compensate over all frequencies.
7 At the end of this process the HP will display “OPEN measurement
completed” at the right part of the screen
Short circuit compensation: set-up
1 Fit a short between all leads. A bus bar or thick copper wire is ideal for this,
as it will give good contact to all four clips. Try to keep all test leads in the
same position as when the UUT is present
2 Turn the DC1000 ON
3 Set the DC1000A to 0.00A, using the rotary knob if needed
4 Set the DC1000 output to ON (press the “output” button)
5 Leave the wiring set up like this and proceed to the next step
Short circuit compensation on the HP4284A
1 Move the cursor using the arrow keys down to SHORT
2 Press the soft key next to ON to enable the HP4284A short circuit correction
3 Press the soft key next to MEAS SHORT and wait
4 The compensation process can take 60-120 seconds, during which the HP
will compensate over all frequencies
5 At the end of this process the HP will display “SHORT measurement
completed” at the right side of the screen
Measuring under load: set-up
Once you have compensated the LCR for the leads and DC1000 you are ready
to make measurements under load.
1 Turn the DC1000 output OFF
2 Add your UUT back into the circuit, attempting to keep the test leads in the
same position as when compensating)
3 Select the DC bias current you require using the rotary knob
4 Enable the DC bias current by pressing OUTPUT
Performing measurements
1 Press DISPLAY FORMAT on the HP4284A to return to the main screen
2 Using the cursors move down to FUNC and select the parameters you
wish to measure using the soft keys. In this example we have selected Ls
(Inductance) and Rs (Resistance)
3 Move the cursor down again to FREQ and then enter the frequency you
require. If using the number pad to enter a frequency, remember to press
ENTER to accept the frequency. Here we have selected 200Hz
4 Move the cursor down again to LEVEL and enter the voltage required. In this
example we have selected 1.00V
5 Adjustments can be made to the DC bias level in real time with the DC1000
output enabled, and while the HP4284A is measuring, using the rotary knob
on the DC1000
6 In our example (right image), the inductance at 0A DC bias is 12.29mH
7 Once the DC bias level rises above the saturation point of the core, the
inductance of the transformer drops (see right image, 512uH @ 3A DC)
