Data Sheet
40,000-Count Dual-Display Handheld LCR Meters
Models 878B, 879B, and 880
Features & Benefits
n
40,000
counts resolution on primary and
10,000 counts resolution on secondary display
n
L,
C, R and Z (879B & 880 only) primary
calculation of secondary parameters
measurements
n
Automatic
D, Q,
θ,
ESR (θ/ESR for 879B & 880 only),
DCR (880 only)
n
Accuracy
up to 0.1% and selectable test
frequencies up to 100 kHz (880 only)
n
Fast
auto range design for rapid, easy
detect mode for automatic component
component measurements
n
Auto
type identification and measurement type
selection (880 only)
n
Relative
n
Visible
n
Data
n
USB
mode
and audible tolerance mode
Hold and Min/Max/Average recording
(Virtual COM) interface
compliant commands for remote
for datalogging and front panel
power-up-states
Full Featured Handheld LCR Meters
The 878B, 879B, and 880 40,000-count
handheld LCR meters measure inductance,
capacitance, and resistance quickly and precisely.
The 879B and 880 also measure impedance,
Theta, and ESR. Additionally, the 880 offers
capabilities typically only found in bench LCR
meters such as a 4-terminal configuration, basic
measurement accuracy up to 0.1 %, test
frequencies up to 100 kHz, selectable test signal
levels and measurement rate.
Fast auto ranging and quick measurement
configuration such as measurement parameter
and test frequency selection make these meters
very simple to operate. The meters also include
handy functions such as data hold, Min/Max/
Average recording, tolerance sorting, and relative
mode.
Measurement data can continuously transfer to
a PC via the meter’s mini USB interface, using
either the provided data logging software or SCPI
commands sent from a custom program.
ESR Measurements
Models 879B and 880 have the ability to measure
the ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) of
capacitors. ESR is the sum of in-phase AC
resistance of a capacitor and used to rate a
capacitor’s quality. An ideal capacitor would be
lossless and have an ESR of zero. A capacitor
could measure the correct capacitance value, yet
still be defective, due to the component’s
excessive in-phase AC resistance. The 879B and
880 would be able to detect this faulty
component.
n
SCPI
communication
n
Software
emulation available as free download
n
Configurable
n
3 year warranty
Applications
n
Passive
component troubleshooting
assembly
control (component sorting)
n
Electronic
n
Quality
Specifications
Measurements
Basic Accuracy
Test Frequency
Test Signal
Backlit Display
Auto Detect Mode
Tolerance Mode
Measurement Rate
878B
L, C, R, D, Q
0.5%
120 Hz, 1 kHz
0.6 Vrms
-
-
1%, 5%, 10%
1.5 readings/sec
879B
L, C, R, Z, D, Q,
θ,
ESR
0.5%
100 Hz, 120 Hz,
1 kHz, 10 kHz
0.6 Vrms
√
-
1%, 5%, 10%, 20%
1.5 readings/sec
880
L, C, R, Z, D, Q,
θ,
ESR & DCR
0.1%
100 Hz, 120 Hz,
1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz
0.3 Vrms, 0.6 Vrms, 1 Vrms
DCR: 1 Vdc
√
√
1%, 5%, 10%, 20%
4 readings/sec (fast),
1.5 readings/sec (slow)
Technical data subject to change
© B&K Precision Corp. 2016
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40,000-Count Dual-Display Handheld LCR Meters
Models 878B, 879B, and 880
Easy Front Panel Operation
Calibration function for improved
measurement accuracy
Secondary display mode D/Q/θ/
ESR, selectable test level
Primary display mode L/C/R and Z (879B only)
Secondary display mode D/Q,
θ/ESR
(879B only)
878B & 879B
880
LCD protective visor
10,000-count
secondary display
40,000-count
primary display
Backlight function
(879B & 880 only)
Selectable test
frequencies
Primary display
mode L/C/R/Z/DCR,
single push auto detect
function
Standard mini
USB port
Guard terminal for
better noise immunity
2-terminal test socket plus guard terminal allows for direct
measurement of leaded components or use with test fixture
Calibration function for improved
measurement accuracy
4-terminal test socket plus guard terminal allows for direct
measurement of leaded components or use with test fixture
Selectable measurement rate
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40,000-Count Dual-Display Handheld LCR Meters
Models 878B, 879B, and 880
Powerful Features
Flexible Operation
A tilt stand provides position flexibility for
viewing and operating the meter. The
over-molding rubber case protects the meter for
better durability. A single 9 V battery (16 hours
with alkaline battery) or the included 12 V power
adapter (with model 879B & 880) can be used
to power the meter, giving the user options for
portable or bench-top use.
Model 880 includes a rechargeable Ni-MH
battery that can provide up to six hours of battery
life.
Four-terminal shielded configuration
(880 only)
The 880 provides a 4-terminal socket with
separate sensing and current leads plus guard
terminal, a configuration typically only found in
bench LCR meters. When using the included
4-terminal Kelvin test leads, this configuration
can reduce the effect of lead impedances and
contact resistance. This minimizes measurement
errors and improves accuracy especially in the
lower impedance range.
Faster Auto Range
The advanced auto range circuit design allows for
faster measurements without the need to manually
select ranges.
Increase Productivity with PC
Connectivity
Free downloadable software is available for your
handheld LCR meter. View and log measurements
and setup and configure the instrument’s
measurement parameters.
Dual Display
The dual display allows multiple measurements to
be conveniently displayed at once.
Auto Detect Mode (880 only)
With the push of a single button, the Auto detect
function will automatically identify primary
parameters L, C or R and related secondary
parameters, and set the suitable series/parallel
equivalent mode and range.
Accessories
AC adapter
USB cable
Kelvin clip test leads (TL8KC1)
Shorting plate
Model
878B
879B
880
Alligator test leads
Alligator test
leads
●
●
●
SMD tweezer (TL8SM)
AC adapter
-
●
●
USB cable
●
●
●
Shorting plate
-
-
●
Kelvin clip
test leads
-
-
●
SMD tweezer
-
-
●
“
●
“ Included
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40,000-Count Dual-Display Handheld LCR Meters
Models 878B, 879B, and 880
Specifications
General
Model
Measurement Parameters
Test Frequency Setting
Actual Frequency (±0.02%)
Tolerance Mode
Backlit Display
Test Signal Level (Typical)
Measuring Circuit Mode
Basic Accuracy
Ranging Mode
Measuring Terminals
Measurement Rate
Response Time (Typical)
Auto Power-Off
Operating Temperature
Storage Temperature
Low Battery Indication (Typical)
Battery Life (Typical)
Power Consumption (Typical)
Power Requirements
Dimensions (L x W x H)
Weight
Safety
Electromagnetic Compatibility
3 terminals with sockets
1.5 readings/sec (auto range search not included)
680 ms
5, 15, 30, 60 minutes, none
32° F to 104° F (0° to 40° C); 0-70% R.H.
-4° F to 122 °F (-20° to +50° C); 0-80% R.H.
6.8 V
16 hours using alkaline battery (at 1 kHz with 100
Ω
DUT, backlight off), 6 hours using Ni-MH (880 only)
28 mA (under full power battery) for operation/ 2 µA (11 µA 880 only) after power-off.
9V battery or Ext. AC adapter*: DC 12 Vmin –15 Vmax. (load 50 mA Min.)
7.5” x 3.5” x 1.6” (190 × 90 × 41) mm
0.767 lbs (348 g) without battery
EN61010-1:2001, EU Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC
Meets EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, EN61326-1:2006
32° F to 104° F (0° to 40° C);
≤90%
R.H.
-4° F to 104° F (-20° to 50° C); 0-90% R.H.
0.5%
Auto
3-terminal, 5-terminal with sockets
LCRZ: 4 readings/sec (Fast), 1.5 readings/sec (Slow)
DCR: 3 readings/sec (Fast), 2.5 readings/sec (Slow)
878B
L/C/R/D/Q
120 Hz, 1 kHz
120.048 Hz, 1 kHz
1%, 5%, 10%
None
0.6 Vrms
879B
L/C/R/Z/D/Q/θ/ESR
100 Hz,120 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz
100 Hz, 120.048 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz
880
L/C/R/Z/DCR/D/Q/θ/ESR
100 Hz,120 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz
100 Hz, 120.048 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz
1%, 5%, 10%, 20%
Yes
0.3 Vrms, 0.6 Vrms, 1 Vrms.
DCR signal: 1 Vdc
Series mode / Parallel mode
0.1%
Three-Year Warranty
Standard Accessories
Banana-to-alligator test leads, 9 V battery, mini USB interface cable,
manual, AC adapter* (879B only)
Banana-to-alligator test leads, Ni-MH 9 V battery, mini
USB interface cable, Quick Start insert, AC adapter*
shorting plate, four-terminal shielded Kelvin clip test
leads (TL8KC1), SMD tweezer (TL8SM)
* The 879B and 880 include a 120 V AC adapter. For a 230 V AC adapter, order model 879B-220 V or 880-220 V. The AC adapters are optional accessories for the 878B.
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40,000-Count Dual-Display Handheld LCR Meters
Models 878B, 879B, and 880
Specifications (cont.)
Accuracy Specifications
Accuracy is expressed as ±(% of reading + number of last significant digits) for readings falling within 10% to 100% of full scale of range.
Valid after 30 minutes of warm up time, operation at 23 °C + 5 °C, <75% R.H. and slowest measurement speed.
880 only: When selecting a test signal level of 0.3V, the measurement accuracy is twice the accuracy listed in the table.
Range
1000 H
400 H
Max
Display
1000.0 H
399.99 H
39.999 H
3999.9 mH
3.9999 H**
399.99 mH
39.999 mH
3.9999 mH
100.00 H
39.999 H
3999.9 mH
3.9999 H**
399.99 mH
39.999 mH
3999.9 µH
3.9999 mH**
399.99 µH
1000.0 mH
399.99 mH
39.999 mH
3999.9 µH
3.9999 mH**
399.99 µH
39.99 µH
399.99 mH
39.999 mH
3.9999 mH
399.99 µH
39.999 µH
3.999 µH
Lx Accuracy
(878B & 879B)
1.5% + 3 digits
0.7% + 2 digits
0.7% + 2 digits
0.5% + 1 digits
0.6% + 2 digits
0.9% + 2 digits
2.8% + 3 digits
1.5% + 3 digits
0.7% + 2 digits
0.7% + 2 digits
0.5% + 1 digits
0.6% + 2 digits
0.9% + 2 digits
2.8% + 3 digits
1.5% + 3 digits
0.7% + 2 digits
0.5% + 1 digits
0.6% + 2 digits
0.9% + 2 digits
2.8% + 3 digits
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Lx Accuracy
(880 only)
1% + 3 digits
0.35% +2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.45% + 2 digits
1.40% + 5 digits
1% + 3 digits
0.35% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.45% + 2 digits
1.4% + 5 digits
0.8% + 3 digits
0.35% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.3% + 2 digits
0.45% + 2 digits
1.4% + 5 digits
1.5% + 5 digits
1.5% + 2 digits
0.5% + 2 digits
0.5% + 2 digits
0.8% + 5 digits
2.5% + 10 digits
DF (Dx <0.5)
(878B & 879B)
1.5% + 50 digits
0.7% + 50 digits
0.7% + 50 digits
0.5% + 50 digits
0.6% + 50 digits
0.9% + 50 digits
2.8% + 50 digits
1.5% + 50 digits
0.7% + 50 digits
0.7% + 50 digits
0.5% + 50 digits
0.6% + 50 digits
0.9% + 50 digits
2.8% + 50 digits
1.5% + 50 digits
0.7% + 50 digits
0.5% + 50 digits
0.6% + 50 digits
0.9% +50 digits
2.8% + 50 digits
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
DF (Dx <0.5)
(880 only)
1% + 3 digits
0.35% +2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.45% + 2 digits
Not Specified
1% + 3 digits
0.35% + 3 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.45% + 2 digits
Not Specified
0.8% + 3 digits
0.35% + 2 digits
0.1% + 2 digits
0.3% + 2 digits
0.45% + 2 digits
Not Specified
1.5% + 5 digits
1.5% + 2 digits
0.5% + 2 digits
0.5% + 2 digits
0.8% + 5 digits
Not Specified
Measurement
Mode
Parallel
Parallel
Series/ Parallel
(Parallel)**
Series
Series/Parallel**
Series
Series
Series
Parallel
Parallel
Series/ Parallel
(Parallel)**
Series
Series/ Parallel
Series
Series
Series
Parallel
Series/ Parallel
(Parallel)**
Series
Series/ Parallel**
Series
Series
Series
Parallel
Parallel
Series/ Parallel
Series
Series
Series
100 Hz*/120 Hz
40 H
4000 mH
4 H**
400 mH
40 mH
4 mH
100 H
40 H
4000 mH
4 H**
1 kHz
400 mH
40 mH
4000 µH
4 mH**
400 µH
1000 mH
400 mH
Inductance
10 kHz*
40 mH
4000 µH
4 mH**
400 µH
40 µH
100 mH
100 kHz**
40 mH
4 mH
400 µH
40 µH
4 µH
* = Models 879B & 880 only, ** = Model 880 only
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