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Simple 1.5 V Inductance Meter Circuit

Last Updated on by 11 Comments

Here a simplest yet quite accurate inductance meter is presented, which can be built within few minutes. Furthermore, the circuit can be powered-up with a single 1.5V cell. However, a frequency meter would be required to work-out the inductance.

Designed and Presented by: Abu-Hafss 

Using Cross-Coupled NPN BJTs

The circuit is pretty straight forward wherein, two NPN transistors are cross-coupled to form a flip-flop oscillator. The values of R1 and R2 could be anything between 47 - 100R. The frequency of the oscillation is inversely proportional to the inductance and it can be calculated with the following formula:

Frequency (kHz) = 50,000 / Inductance (uH)

CALIBRATION:

Initially the circuit has to be calibrated using a known inductor, as described below:

Suppose, we have an inductor of 100uH. Putting the value of inductor (100uH) in the above formula, we get 500kHz.

Connect the inductor cross point A & B and power on the circuit. It will start oscillating.
Connect the frequency meter at point A or B and ground.
Adjust the POT until the meter reads 500kHz. Now the circuit is calibrated.

INDUCTANCE MEASUREMENT:

Connect an unknown inductor across A & B.
Power on the circuit and read the frequency at point A or B.

The above formula can also be written as:

Inductance (uH) = 50, 000 / Frequency (kHz)

Putting the value of frequency in this formula, the value of the inductor can be found.

 

Waveform Image:

 




About Swagatam

I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials.
If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!

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  1. Federico says

    Hi a question, how did you get the 50000 constant figure in the frequency calculation? Is that a bc546 characteristic? What if I use another npn such as n2222 or others? Does that constant change?
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Swag says

      Hi, I am not very sure since it was not written by me.

      However for a square wave frequency the standard formula seems to be like this IL = Api / 16fL

      where IL is the current through the inductor, A is the RMS amplitude of the square wave frequency, pi= 22/7, and f is the applied frequency

      Reply

      • Swag says

        you can use any similar small signal transistor, it is definitely not critical…2N2222 will work without any issues.

        Reply

        • Federico says

          Thanks!

          Reply

  2. Abu-Hafss says

    Hi Robin

    Please note that each time the circuit is powered on, it does need to be calibrated. Otherwise, we might get variation in readings.

    Reply

    • vishal sutar says

      Hi Abu Hafss,

      Its a simplest one…thanks for sharing.

      I have some question
      1. Does the calibration depends on cell voltage.
      2. If so then can i give a fixed 5v supply to this circuit.

      Reply

    • Abu-Hafss says

      Hi Vishal Sutar

      1. Yes.
      2. Yes.
      3. Please take note of my post of Nov. 5, 2014.

      Reply

  3. Abu-Hafss says

    Hi Robin

    Here is the waveform of the oscillation

    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/20969135/Waveform%20Ind%20Meter.png

    The frequency of oscillation depends on the L/R time constant comprising the inductor and resistors R1 and R2. The time the waveform takes to change its state is directly proportional to the inductance. In the waveform we see, the time taken for one complete cycle is 2µs for a 100µH inductor.

    In other words, inductance (100µH) = Time period (2µs) x 50 ……….(A)

    And we know, Frequency = 1 / Time Period OR Time Period = 1 / Frequency

    So replacing Time Period in Formula (A), we get

    Inductance (µH)

    = 50 x (1 / Frequency) OR
    = 50 / Frequency (Hz) OR
    = 50 x 1000 / Frequency (Hz) x 1000 OR
    = 50,000 / Frequency (kHz)

    Please note, that this circuit is quite sensitive to the supply voltage and it is fairly good to about 10µH.

    It is good idea to a have a known value inductor say 100µH fixed in the circuit for calibration purpose. That calibration inductor and the inductor under test may be toggled using a SPDT switch.

    Reply

    • Robin says

      Hi Swagatum
      I now understand it fully,I built the circuit and calibrated it and tested 3 other known inductance's ie:47uH and got 53.5uH,4.7mH and got 5.9mH,3.9mH and got 4.9mH.
      Those figures will give me a good idea of what I've wound.
      I also built the other circuit with the 100uA meter which may give more accurate results?But have no idea on how to fault find it and split it into smaller sections so as to check that you are on the right track
      Just getting the above results from that tiny little circuit was a big boost for me
      Thanks Robin

      Reply

    • Swagatam says

      Thanks for testing the circuits!

      The 555 based design will need different sets of "C" for producing the corresponding sets of measuring range, however the design will not give accurate results with lower capacitance and may show vibrating or oscillating meter needle.

      Reply

  4. Robin says

    Hi Abu Hafss
    This looks so simple its to good to be true,I'm going to try it.
    Where did you derive that formulae from.
    Regards Robin

    Reply


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