I'm evaluating the purchase of a used LCR meter and am looking at a 4286A that does not include a Test Head or test stand/fixture. What product part numbers could be used in place of the missing test head? My goal is to measure the inductance of wire wound inductors in the 5nH to 350nH range and SMD capacitors from 2pF to 150pF up to 1GHz.
Thanks and I agree. I have an 8753es and have made rough measurements with my own cabling and compensation, which is too difficult to make accurate measurements. I won't build one myself because that test head was already perfected after years experience. No re-inventing the wheel here.
I'm looking for guidance for form fit compatible part numbers of test head products that would work with the 4286 instrument given the instrument does not come with one and I cannot locate the test head individually. The only instruments I am seeing available with a test head are not USA based.
My company has insufficient capital to invest in your recommendation or the other newer replacement products, but I wish...
First a correction on my part. It seems the 4286A uses a 3.5 mm connector, not 7 mm. But it does not get away from the fact you need a test head.
With an 8753ES there are a lot of differences
* Both 85046A and 85047A test sets are readily available on the used market.
* You can make accurate measurements using an external bridge - it is inconvenient, but a test set is not essential.
With the 4286A, I think you have basically zero chance of being able to do anything with it, without the correct test head.
I don't know what your budget is, but there's a 4291A on eBay, with cal kit, tons of options, both test heads, the test station. The cost is $7150 or offer. The actual fixtures that allow one to put surface mount devices on, are readily available for reasonable cost. You will see some sellers asking $1500, but can buy them for 10% of that.
BTW, if you actually need measurements done now, and don't have the hardware, I can do them for you. I have all the equipment needed for what you want to do. Drop me an email at drkirkby@kirkbymicrowave.co.uk
Dave
I don't work for keysight, and have never seen a 4286A, so take my comments with a pinch of salt if you wish.
I think the 4286A will be effectively useless without the test head. From the fixtures it uses, I believe the test head will have an APC7 connector.
I have a 1.8 GHz 4291B impedance/material analyzer, which has a test station and one can fit one of several test heads in. All have the APC7 connector. Basically the test head is a RF-IV fixture. It measures the current and voltage. It is not something you can make yourself.
I would be 95% sure the 4286A works in a similar way to the 4291A and 4291B, in that they are RF-IV devices.
You might want to consider if an 4291A or B is a better choice, as the LCR meters tend to have fixed frequencies, whereas impedance analyzers can step in 1 Hz steps.
Anyway, I would be very skeptical or buying such an item without the test head, as they are not easy to find. The fixtures that go on the test head are easy to find on eBay, so I would not worry about getting one of them, but without the test head, I think it will be useless.
Dave