The Keysight HP 4278A is a high-speed, precision 1 kHz/1 MHz capacitance meter designed for rapid, highly reliable component testing and quality control of low to medium value capacitors.

Specifications

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesHP-IB (GPIB) standard; Handler interface (optional), Scanner interface (optional)
DisplayLCD (40 characters x 2 lines with LED backlight)
Memory BackupNon-volatile memory for storing instrument setups

Physical

ParameterValue
Power Supply90 V to 132 V / 198 V to 264 V, 47 Hz to 66 Hz, <= 150 VA
Operating Temperature0 to 55 °C
Dimensions (W×H×D)426 mm × 177 mm × 498 mm
Weight15

Measurement Capabilities

ParameterValue
Primary Measurement ParametersCapacitance (C)
Secondary Measurement ParametersDissipation Factor (D), Quality Factor (Q), Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), Conductance (G)
Equivalent Circuit ModesSeries, Parallel
Capacitance Measurement Range (1 kHz)0.001 pF to 200 µF
Capacitance Measurement Range (1 MHz)0.00001 pF to 2663 pF

Test Signal Specifications

ParameterValue
Test Frequencies1 kHz, 1 MHz
Test Signal AC Voltage Range0.1 V to 1 V
AC Signal Level Resolution0.1 V steps

Accuracy and Speed

ParameterValue
Basic Capacitance Accuracy (1 kHz)0.07% (at 21 ms integration time)
Basic Dissipation Factor Accuracy (1 kHz)0.0005 (at 21 ms integration time)
Basic Capacitance Accuracy (1 MHz)0.5% (at 21 ms integration time)
Basic Dissipation Factor Accuracy (1 MHz)0.0002 (at 21 ms integration time)
Measurement Speed (Fast)6.5 ms
Measurement Speed (Medium)10 ms
Measurement Speed (Slow)21 ms
Measurement Resolution6 digits
Dissipation Factor Resolution0.00001

Correction and Compensation

ParameterValue
Correction FunctionsOpen, Short
Cable Length Compensation Settings0 m, 1 m, 2 m

Comparator and Binning Functions

ParameterValue
Comparator BinningBuilt-in 10-bin sorting

Environmental and Compliance

ParameterValue
Operating Humidity Range<= 95% RH at 40 °C
Storage Temperature Range-40 °C to +70 °C

DC Bias

ParameterValue
Standard DC Bias Levels0 V, 1 V, 2 V
Optional DC Bias Range (Option 001)0 V to ±40 V
DC Bias Level Accuracy±(1% of setting + 2 mV)

Test Signal

ParameterValue
Test Signal Frequency Accuracy±0.01%
Test Signal Level Accuracy±10%
Output Impedance20 Ω or 100 Ω (range dependent)

Measurement Ranges

ParameterValue
Dissipation Factor (D) Measurement Range0.00001 to 9.99999
Quality Factor (Q) Measurement Range0.1 to 99999.9

Measurement Features

ParameterValue
Measurement Terminal Configuration4-terminal pair

Power

ParameterValue
Power Consumption≤ 150 VA
Line Voltage Options90-132 V AC / 198-264 V AC (selectable)
Line Frequency47 Hz to 66 Hz

Measurement Control

ParameterValue
Trigger SourcesInternal, Manual, External (BNC or Handler interface), GPIB

Interfaces & Connectivity

ParameterValue
Standard InterfacesGPIB (IEEE-488)
Optional InterfacesHandler Interface (Option 002), Scanner Interface (Option 301)

Performance

ParameterValue
Optional Cable Compensation4 m cable compensation (Option 101)
Ranging ModesAuto, Hold
Deviation Measurement ModeDeviation (Δ) and Percent Deviation (Δ%) from a reference value
Comparator Sorting Bins9 bins for primary parameter (C), 1 bin for secondary parameter, 1 out-of-limit bin
Optional DC Bias Resolution (Option 001)10 mV steps (0.00 V to 9.99 V), 100 mV steps (10.0 V to 40.0 V)

Technology

LCR / Capacitance Meter

Applications

Production line sorting, incoming inspection, and quality control of film and ceramic capacitors

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