Contents
How do you test inductance?
The best way to measure inductance for an inductor like a coil (solenoid) is to use an inductance bridge or meter. If you have neither, a more indirect way is to use an oscilloscope. Connect a resistor of known resistance and the coil in series with the sine wave oscilloscope.
How does RLC meter work?
An LCR meter is used to measure the inductance, capacitance and resistance of a circuit. Hence, the name LCR meter. When there is a change in the current flowing through a conductor, a corresponding change is induced in the voltage in it and in conductors surrounding it.
How to measure inductance and ESR of the coils?
I have a LCR meter and multimeter at hand, but am unsure of how exactly to measure it. If I measure the resistance of the coils (L1, L2, L3 or L4) with a multimeter I get around 5.5Ohms, if I do the same with the LCR meter set at 10kHz or 100kHz, I get like 500Ohm and 450uH. How should I measure inductance and ESR of the coils?
Do you ignore the RLC meter AC resistance measurement?
Ignore the RLC meter’s AC resistance measurement. The DC value should be close enough. Use the lowest available PWM frequency that still maintains continuous current flow in the coil at the lowest PWM ratio you intend to use. Thanks for contributing an answer to Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange!
How does the RLC meter work on a stepper motor?
Your RLC meter assumes that the parameter you select is the only significant attribute of the item being measured, so when you tell it to measure R it assumes that the stepper motor coil is a pure resistor with no inductance or capacitance. In reality the coil has significant inductance which will increase the reading.
What is the inductance of a PWM coil?
In reality the coil has significant inductance which will increase the reading. At 10kHz the coil’s impedance is mostly inductive, so the L reading should be fairly accurate but the R reading won’t be. For PWM current control the inductance value isn’t critical – it just has to be high enough to keep current ripple down to an acceptable amount.