HP / Agilent 4284A Precision LCR Meter, 20 Hz to 1 MHz

The HP/Agilent 4284A is a precision LCR meter engineered for accurate impedance and admittance characterization from 20 Hz to 1 MHz. This instrument delivers 0.05% basic accuracy on |Z|, C, and L measurements, with dissipation factor accuracy of 0.0005. It measures 20 parameter combinations including impedance, capacitance, inductance, resistance, quality factor, phase angle, and deviation from programmable reference values across measurement ranges spanning 0.01 mΩ to 99.9999 MΩ (impedance) and 0.01 fF to 9.99999 F (capacitance).

Test signal levels range from 5 mVrms to 2 Vrms in voltage mode and 50 µArms to 20 mArms in current mode. The instrument supports both series and parallel equivalent circuit modes with selectable integration times (short, medium, long) and averaging from 1 to 256 measurements. Four-terminal pair measurement terminals enable accurate component testing. Standard DC bias options include 0 V, 1.5 V, and 2 V, with fixed test cable lengths at 0 m and 1 m.

Measurement speed varies by integration setting: 39 ms/190 ms/830 ms at 1 kHz for standard measurements, with high-speed capability at approximately 15 ms. Q measurements require 75 ms to 1.5 s. Auto and manual ranging modes accommodate diverse impedance values. Programmable delay times from 0 to 60.000 s in 1 ms steps support automated test sequences. Trigger options include internal, external, BUS (GPIB), and manual control.

The optional 4284A-001 amplifier module increases AC signal to 20 Vrms / 0.2 Arms and provides variable ±40 Vdc bias with 0.1% accuracy. Option 4284A-006 adds selectable cable lengths of 0 m, 1 m, 2 m, and 4 m. IEEE 488.2 GPIB interface enables remote instrument control and data transfer. Power requirements: 100/120/220 Vac ±10% or 240 Vac +5%/−10%; 47–66 Hz.