Siborg has added new Fine and Extra-Fine Pin Probes for LCR-Reader/Smart Tweezers Kelvin Probe Connector in the LCR-Reader Store.
There are two new available probes.
The Extra-Fine Pin Probe is a 73 mm
The Fine Pin Probe is 124 mm
Both Pin Probes connect using the 4 mm jack plugs included with the Kelvin Probe Connector.
False measurements are when the device shows a measurement while not being in contact with a component. The device will stop showing a measurement value when the tips are removed. False measurements will cause the device to continue displaying a measurement and not turn off, leading to the battery being drained.
There are a few reasons as to why the device is showing a false measurement. This could include the tips being misaligned or shifted during transportation or if the device has been dropped or mishandled. Replacing the tips with a new set may also cause false readings. Generally, these false measurements are caused by metal or plastic debris caught between the tips and arms of the device and can be fixed with these easy steps:
NOTE: Removing the flex cable will damage the glue and may cause issues when re-adhering the flex cable which can impact the accuracy of the measurements.
If these steps do not remove the false readings, please contact Siborg Systems Inc.
Siborg is hosting an end-of-January sale with up to 20% off devices and accessories i nthe LCR-Reader Store and Amazon Sales Channels. The sale begins on January 18th 2017 at 12:00 AM and end on January 31st at 11:59 PM EST. The sale includes LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers (including Smart Tweezers with Bluetooth) devices and task kits, as well as LED Test Tweezers, Kelvin Probe Connector for Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader, and SMD Multimeter Test Tweezers.
Go to the LCR-Reader Store or Amazon Sales Channels in USA, Canada and Europe before the end of January for your chance to take part in this sale!
Starting December 26th, 2016 at 12:00 AM Siborg is offering a discount on LCR-Readers, Smart Tweezers and up to 20% off task kits in the LCR-Reader Store and Amazon Sales channels in USA, Canada and Europe. The sale will end at 11:59PM on December 31st. This sale includes the new LCR-Reader Pro Plus and Smart Tweezers Pro task kits that include the Kelvin Probe Station.
Until September 30th, 2016, Siborg is offering their LCR- and ESR-meters and Test Tweezers devices for 10% off in their online sales channels, including the LCR-Reader Store, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and Amazon.co.uk.
This sale includes all LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers task kits, as well as the other tweezer-like devices like LED Test Tweezers, SMD Multimeter Test Tweezers and LCR-Reader Probe Connector.
The new model of Smart Tweezers, the ST5S-BT that allows users to connect and remotely record their measurement values in real-time over Bluetooth connection is also on sale.
Now is the perfect chance to pick up an LCR-Reader Professional Kit. This kit includes a pre-calibrated LCR-Reader, NIST traceable calibration certificate, charger and micro-USB cable, spare bent tweezer probes, an extra battery (only available in the LCR-Reader Store) and manuals.
Visit the LCR-Reader Store, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.ca for your chance to get Siborg’s devices at a discount from now until September 30th, 2016.
Siborg worked with the Institute of Automation and Electrometry at the Russian Academy of Sciences in creating a new calibration fixture for the newer models of Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader. The previous fixture was unable to handle the full measurement range of the devices.
After completion, Siborg sent the calibration fixture to one of Canada’s leading calibration houses for verification. With this verfication, Siborg was able to begin issuing NIST Traceable Calibration Certificates for LCR-Reader; the ability to periodically calibrated LCR-Reader was an issue with professionals that require their test equipment annually.
Now, Siborg is offering certificates with every LCR-Reader in the LCR-Reader Store.
Siborg has also added the LCR-Reader Professional to their growing list of task kits. The LCR-Reader Professional comes with a pre-calibrated device, calibration certificate, spare bent probes, an extra battery and charger.
The LCR-Reader Store has lots to offer for customers; LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers task kits: pre-bundled devices and accessories that offer customers a deal compared to buying each piece separately.
Siborg Systems Inc. is now offering Smart Tweezers Bluetooth enabled ST5S-BT in the
LCR-Reader Store.
The Smart Tweezers ST5S-BT is a Bluetooth enabled ST-5S model with the same features and functions with the added function of remotely recording measurements in real-time. The ability to record measurements is efficient for those who require to record all measurement values and to create a quick reference of previous measurements.
The ST5S-BT connects to computer using a Bluetooth USB receiver stick, or using Android. Eventually, there will be dedicated apps for iOS, Windows and Android. Currently, the receiver stick is needed to connect. Any communication software can receive data, including NI LabView® and Tera Term free software. (Note: the receiver stick is needed when using NI LabView®)
When connected, the receiver stick opens a virtual port that the data is sent over in a string of comma separated values that show exactly what was on the device’s display at the time of the measurement. This string is as shown:
C1.398nF,R3.461kR,10kHz,0.5,S,,,,;
This is explained as the main impedance value and its typle (Capacitor 1.398nF), secondary value and type, test frequency, test signal level, measurement mode (S for serial) and 4 reserved values. The attached photo shows Tera Term software receiving the data. The data sent can be saved into a file or, when using NI LabView®, saved into a database to be processed later.
The ST5S-BT is based on the the ST-5S model and offers the same features as the latter.
Features Include:
Siborg is offering two different packages for the ST5S-BT in the LCR-Reader Store, one with the USB receiver stick and one without . Please note when ordering, the USB receiver stick is required for use with computers and NI LabView®.
Siborg has recently added the LCR-Reader Probe Station to their LCR-Reader Store inventory.
The LCR-Reader Probe Station allows LCR-Reader LCR- and ESR- meters to preform full PCB probing and measure components outside of the tweezers’ allowed sizes.
The 60 cm shielded two-wire connection virtually eliminates parasitics from the wires, is easy to install and comes with seven attachments. Including a spade connector, alligator clips, long and short pin-probes, and 4 mm multimeter jack plugs.
Easy to install and simple to use; remove one of LCR-Reader’s gold-plated tweezer probes and replace with the small PCB on the connector cable, making sure that the gold strips on the flex cable and the connector match up. Tighten the screws, select the best attachment for the task at hand and start measuring. The attachments screw into the Probe Station’s universal connector.
The Probe Station works with LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers models with removable tips.
The device is now available in the LCR-Reader Store for $24.99 US.
Around mid-May, Siborg Systems Inc. will begin offering a new model of Smart Tweezers, the ST5S-BT.
This new model allows users to record measurements remotely and in real time using Bluetooth technology. The ST5S-BT is based on the ST-5S and will offer the same features, functions and 0.2% basic accuracy.
The Bluetooth feature allows connectivity to the NI LabView® environment, with the eventual capability to connect to Windows, iOS and Android compatible apps. The ability to connect and record results will allow users to be more efficient and control past measurement values.
The Bluetooth connection is provided by a USB reciever stick that establishes a virtual serial port. Each measurement value are sent as a string of comma separated values, ie: C1.398nF, R3.461kR,10kHz,0.5,S,,,,,;
This string of values represents the device’s display when the measurement was taken: “C” impedance value type (capacitor) and its value (1.398nF), “R” secondary impedance (R) and its value (3.461kR), the test frequency (10kHz), at the test signal level of (0.5V), followed by the measurement mode (S for serial), and 4 reserved values. The information is then sent to the port and can be recieved by any communication software, such as free Tera Term software.
This image shows the Tera Term terminal receiving data from the ST5S-BT. This data can be save into a file or documented as neededd. With the LabView software, the computer would be able to process and store the data in a database.
The ST5S-BT will be available in mid-May 2016 in the LCR-Reader store and possibly Siborg’s amazon sales channels in the future.
Siborg has been working over the past year with the Institute of Automation and Electrometry at the Russian Academy of Sciences in creating a Calibration Fixture that will allow periodic calibration of all models of Smart Tweezers, and, most importantly, the LCR-Reader. The calibration fixture was then sent to Navair Technologies in Toronto, Canada to be verified. With this verification from Navair, Siborg will soon be able to include calibration certificates with LCR-Reader, which was a main hindrance in companies using the device.
The calibration unit utilizes a 4-wire connection which has been found to reduce noise between connections and the PCB within the calibration fixture.
Previous calibration fixtures used a 2-wire connector which worked well for older models of Smart Tweezers, including the ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3. The 2-wire connector was not able to handle the measurements within the LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers measurement ranges. Due to parasitics, it could not measure lower values of capacitance and inductance and higher values of resistance. Therefore, the 2-wire calibration fixture was only able to measure mid-range values.
The calibration fixture uses 14 known components that lay within the range of measurements. When a device is connected, the fixture will signal a different component with each button push. The measurement values are instantly displayed on the LCR-Reader or Smart Tweezers‘ display which can then be compared to the known values of the components to determine accuracy.
“The new fixture makes it much easier to provide periodic traceable calibration now that it has been certified by Navair Technologies. We have now completed two versions of the calibration fixture using both 4-wire and 2-wire connections. The 4-wire is best suited for newer models, including the recent LCR-Reader. The 2
-wire is best for the older models, including the ST-1, ST-2, ST-3 and STIC. These older models used a 2-wire connection in the handles of the device and could not be properly tested with the 4-wire terminal. This new calibration unit will allow all models to be tested and calibrated.” says the Director of Research and Development at Siborg, Michael Obrecht.
Soon, the calibration certificates will be available in the LCR-Reader Store; there will be 2 types to choose from: a basic calibration certificate that ensures the device has been calibrated, or a more detailed format that shows the measurement results compared to the known values.