chcugedmorequkklythanahgeone.
the frequency with a small capacitance
is higher than with a large one.
~ceachtransit from charging to dis-
Based on an idea of Dr KC. Rohwer charging. the logic level at the output
of IC1 changes. This means that the
AMV generates a rectangular signal.
Based on a simple measurement principle and an whose frequency diminishes when C,
inexpensive digikl voltmeter (~v~)'module, a simple increases. Since IC1 is a CMOS type. the
capacitance meter is described that can measure, with level of its rectangular output signal
better than average accuracy, capacitances readily reaches the level of the supply
voltage when the output load is small.
from 1 pF to 1 pF in two ranges The supply voltage is derived from the
U= A A A A A -+
Fig. 1. Block diagram of the capacitance meter Fig. 2. Output signal waveforms of the AMV.
with integral digital-voltmeter module. integrator and half-wave rectifier.
- - P
Fig. 3. Circuit diagram of the capacitance meter with integral digital-voltmeter module
ELEKTOR ELECTROMCS OCTOBER 1995
TEST & MEASUREMENT
\, ~V r\
double-pole switch S2 then serves as
on/off switch. Wire bridge JPI is not POWER
needed, but RI6 is: it scales down the
/o~v ~~
0-2 V output voltage range of the mea- OFF
suring circuit to 0-0.2 V at the DVM
input.
Construction
Populating the printed-circuit board
shown in Fig. 4 should not present Fig. 6. Suggested front panel layout for the capacitance meter.
t,,, = 2 R C l n 2 R5C, T
and Thus. since C = C,:
= RCln2.
The peak value of the output voltaqe of RIn2
The priod of the output signal is then the integrator is rr,, = C, . -U,
I?R,C,
In xvords: the output roltage of the
and the frequency of the output siqnal meter is directlv a n d linearly pro-
is: portional to the capacitance C,.
f = 1/3RCln2. Substituting numerical ralues in
the last eqllation:
Since the operating voltage. U,,. nf the R5 = 100 kR
timer is equal to the reference voltage. C5 = 10 )IF
U,. the output voltage. Lr,. providing In2 = 0.693
the load is small, is U,= 3.3 v:
DVM. Note t h a t it takes the display a RI6 = 1 kR (see text) J P 1 = wire bridge, see text
few seconds to stabilize (owing to time RI7 = 5 6 kn S1 = 4-pole. 3-position rotary switch
constant RI 1-C7). RI8 = 10 kn for PCB mounting
Next. connect a l nF. 1% poly- RIS = 10 R Sz = 2-pole toggle switch
styrene capacitor to the C, terminals. RzO= 3.3 kR BT1.. Bt?- = 9-V (PP31 battery with
select the lower measuring range and PI = 100 kR multiturn horizontal connection clips
adjust PZ to give a reading of 1000 on preset DVM = 3i/2 digit LCD DVM for 9 V
the display or DMM. Pz = 50 kn multiturn horizontal preset operation. measuring range
Finally. if a t all possible, connect a 0-199.9 mV (see text)
1 pF. 1% polystyrene capacitor to the Capacitors: PCB not available ready made
C, terminals, select the upper measur- Cl. CS. C9. CI2 = 10 nF, polypropylene Front panel foil not available ready
ing range. a n d adjust Pz to give a Cz = 10 pF trimmer capacitor made
reading of 1000 on the display or C3 = 22 nF. polypropylene [9500911
DMM. C4 = 10 pF. 10 V. vertical
C6. C, = l pF, polypropylene
C8 = 470 pF. 1 6 V. vertical
Parts list C l o = 100 pF. ceramic
Resistors C I I = 100 pF. 10 V
RI. R3 = 2.00 MR. 1%
R 2 Q = 2.00 m. 1% Semiconductors:
R5 R7 = 100 W2 D1. D2 = BAT85
Rg=lMR
RB-RIORI5 = 10 m Integrated circuits:
R l l = 220 kR ICI = TLC555
RI2 = 270 kR IC2 = TLC274
RI3 = 10 MR IC3 = LM385LP2.5
RI', = 18 kR Miscellaneous: