HP / Agilent 4263A and 4263B series LCR meter.

LCR meters and bridges are commonly used in power conversion and AC circut applications. This bench meter able to measure lot of parameters in frequency range from 100 Hz to 100kHz, with base accuracy 0.1% at 1kHz frequency. It’s compact size allows both workbench and portable use on site. HP/Agilent 4263A is older model (Detail on vendor site) without voltage/current monitor and less informative segment LCD screen. It was replaced by 4263B with much better 40×2 character backlit LCD. This article covers only 4263B, but A-version likely to have same analog front end and measurment board.

Front panel interface and controls

It’s worth to check technical brief prior to controls evaluation.

Back I/O interfaces

User menu settings

Probe setup

All BNC shields should be connected on probe side, as it’s used as return path for signal generator and measurement circuits.

Cheap LCR probe from eBay

Measurements check

Polycarbonate capacitors

Polyprolypene capacitors

Ceramic capacitors

Electrolyte capacitors

Ferrite bead

Power inductors

Transformers

Internal construction

Repair

Firmware / ROMs

Options and hacks

Fully enabled 4263B with firmware version 1.06 power on message:

Performance check

HP 4263B with non-modified LCR eBay probe:
(Keithley 2002, 4W resistor with AVG filter, 10 NPLC, Nulled Rel, Math * 1000, so reading is in milliohm)

Cement 5W 0.1 ohm wirewound 5% (5W0.1RJ)

Vishay VCS101 0.02 ohm 1% 1W

Appendix

Schematics for module Mx-Mx

LCD replacement to negative FSTN