Soldering SMD components normally require a pair of tweezers, and since those components are so small it may be hard to read the value on them if any. That means if you’d like to double-check the value of an SMD component you may have to use a multimeter first, before placing it on the board and solder it.
There’s a better way: Ideal-Tek Smart Tweezers Colibri ST-5S with a built-in LCR meter that can help you automatically identify SMD components and read their values in a convenient tweezers form factor.
Smart Tweezers Colibri ST-5S key features & specifications:
- Built-in high-precision LCR probe
- Display – OLED Display
- Ranges
- Resistance (R) – 0.05 Ohm to 9.9 MOhm
- Capacitance (C) – 0.5 pF to 4999 uF
- Inductance (L) – 0.5 uH to 999 mH
- Quality Factor (Q) – 0.001 to 1,000
- Dissipation Factor (D) – 0.001 to 1,000
- AC test mode Test frequency – 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 120 Hz, 100 Hz; accuracy: 50 PPM (0.005%)
- Test signal levels – 0.25-1.0 Vrms
- Source Impedance – 100 Ohms
- Diode Polarity/Short Testing
- Equivalent Series Resistance testing
- Misc – 4-directional joystick-like navigation control
- Battery – 180mAh/3.7V LiPo battery good for 20 hours; 3 hours charging cycle
- Power Supply – Micro USB port
- Dimensions – 15 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm
- Weight – 29 grams
The kit includes the smart tweezers, a NIST-traceable calibration certificate, straight test leads (installed), Ideal-Tek spare test leads, clamshell carrying case, a pocket hard case, a universal 110-240V wall charger, and Micro USB cable for charging from a USB port. The tool is suitable for either right or left-handed uses since the display can rotate accordingly.
The Smart Tweezers are sold on Saelig for $299.00, and various tips are available as shown in the datasheet. $300 is fine for professionals, but out of the budget of most makers, so I went on a little search on Aliexpress, and HP-990B low-cost smart tweezers sell for $15 and up. Don’t expect the accuracy and features of Ideal-Tek model, but it supports capacitance and resistance, as well as diode testing.
Via Altium
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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