Click to enlarge

Click to see more pictures:    Front Panel     Rear Panel    Probes    Chip Capacitor Measurements

Specifications
Range                      2.000 pF to 200.0 nF
Resolution                0.001 pF to 0.1 nF
Display                    3 1/2 Digit LCD
Accuracy                 +/- (0.1% of rdg. +2 digits)
Power                      9V alkaline (NEDA 1604A) or external battery eliminator

The Model 3000 Digital Capacitance Meter is the first commercially available low cost, high accuracy instrument designed exclusively for the measurement of very small value capacitors and capacitors whose size and shape are not conveniently handled by conventional sockets, clamp fixtures, or alligator clip leads. The Model 3000 is particularly useful for measurement of chip capacitors whose small size precludes the use of identifying marks. Other uses include measurement of the capacitance between the traces on a printed circuit board, thin film capacitors, MOSFET gate capacitance, microstrip or stripline capacitance, etc. Complete specifications can be found in the Operating Manual.

The Model 3000 employs a unique, patented* switched capacitor circuit and a ratio-metric measurement technique to eliminate errors due to stray capacitance-to-ground. The patented circuit provides high common-mode rejection and eliminates errors due to changes in the reference voltage from temperature, aging, etc. This unique circuit allows the capacitor under measurement to be remotely connected to the meter by two, miniature, shielded probes or by coaxial cables without affecting the zero, accuracy, or resolution of the instrument.

Although the resolution of the Model 3000 display is limited to 3 1/2 digits, much higher resolution can be obtained using the low noise, 0 to 200 mV analog output signal on the back panel. When the analog output signal is connected to an external high resolution DVM such as an HP 34401A or Solartron 7061, the ulimate resolution and reading-to-reading noise of the Model 3000 is less than 10 ppm as shown in this plot.

Direct digital data is available at the USB port. Digital output provides the user with additional resolution and the ability to log data to a file. The USB port is fully supported by LabVIEW®. USB drivers and a LabVIEW® demonstration program are available for the Model 3000 Digital Capacitance Meter. The Model 3000 LabVIEW® demonstration program is a standalone executable file that requires only the LabVIEW® runtime engine to load and run. When LabVIEW® demonstration program is launched, a virtual Model 3000 front panel is displayed along with additional functions that include plots of the meter readings and histogram, offset adjustments, sample rate, and data logging to disk file. A screen shot of the LabVIEW® demonstration program can be found here. For many users, the demonstration program maybe all that is needed to acquire and store data. For users who wish to customize the demonstration program or write their own vitual instrument program, we provide a complete set of LabVIEW® VI's. The Model 3000 LabVIEW® demonstration program, USB drivers, LabVIEW® VI's, and software installation instructions are provided on the application CD shipped with each instrument, or they can be downloaded here. We currently support LabVIEW® versions 7.1, 8.2, and 8.5. A factory installable upgrade with all of the digital I/O featurues is available for most older instruments. Upgrade prices start at $149. Contact sales@glkinst.com for details.

The basic accuracy of the Model 3000 is +/- (0.1% of rdg. +2 digits). Each unit is calibrated using capacitor standards maintained by GLK Instruments. These standards are compared to our primary GR 1404-A Reference Standard Capacitor. Taceability to NIST is provided at no extra charge.

*United States Patent No. 4806846, LabVIEW® is a registered trademark of National Instruments www.ni.com

Return to top of page

Operating Manual and Complete Specifications

Current 2008 Price List

Operating Manual and Complete Specifications (Adobe PDF format)

Current 2008 Price List (Adobe PDF format)

Click here to get latest Adobe PDF reader

Return to top of page

We accept checks drawn on a US bank, wire transfer (bank fees apply, usually $25), money orders, company purchase orders, and PayPal. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal. Our PayPal email address is: sales@glkinst.com. If using PayPal, we will glady generate a PayPal invoice for your convenience in paying by credit card or other funds. We are a verified member of PayPal.

Note: International PalPay users add 1.5% to total (including shipping).