Building a Radio: LCR Meters and Multimeters

[Odysseus]

This might be a stupid question, but here goes. I'm trying to build my first radio and I want to know if LCR meters are capable of measuring current and voltage or if I have to purchase a separate multimeter to perform those measurements. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Averagesupernova]

Some DVMs have these functions built in.

 

[berkeman]

I have a B&K handheld meter that I use for LRC, and my Fluke DMM has a capacitance measuring capability. I haven't seen the L measuring function on simple DMMs, but they could exist. You might try a Google Images search on DMM + LCR.

 

[berkeman]

So why do I ever doubt Averagesupernova...

http://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...2&bih=818&q=DMM++LCR&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

Lots of them!

 

[Odysseus]

Thanks guys.

 

[Averagesupernova]

Berkeman, you doubt me sometimes? Well, I never...

 

[berkeman]

Berkeman, you doubt me sometimes? Well, I never...

 

[jsgruszynski]

This might be a stupid question, but here goes. I'm trying to build my first radio and I want to know if LCR meters are capable of measuring current and voltage or if I have to purchase a separate multimeter to perform those measurements. Any help would be appreciated.

LCR meters are typically specialized for impedance measurement (via measuring AC voltage and current). Specially the LCR measuring portion is not a general voltmeter/ammeter like a DMM.

However has others have stated, you can get low cost "LCR-like" capabilities in in relatively low cost hand-held DMMs. The circuitry to do this is usually separate from the DC measurement circuity but it's cheap enough to implement both so all's good. For typical hobby and low-ish accuracy work, they work great.

If you need high accuracy, extreme values (e.g. femto-farads), or phase-related factors like dissipation factor or Q, then often you need a more dedicated LCR meter. Which can get pricey.