wholesale dielectric loss capacitance tester factory: What Buyers Should Check Before Ordering
The main selection trade‑off is between a fixed‑frequency bench unit that offers repeatable calibration at low per‑test cost and a portable multi‑frequency model that adds flexibility but raises calibration workload and unit price.
Scope of Supply and Physical Form
A typical shipment includes the tester chassis, interchangeable test leads, a calibration certificate, and a ruggedised carrying case. The bench version ships in a single crate (≈ 45 kg) while the portable kit splits into two cases (≈ 28 kg total) to meet airline baggage limits.
Both configurations share the same front‑panel layout: a 7‑inch colour display, rotary encoder for frequency selection, and a USB‑C port for data export. The bench model adds a rear‑panel IEC‑60320 inlet for continuous mains operation.
What Actually Determines Performance
Dielectric loss (tan δ) resolution is limited by the internal bridge balance network; a 0.0001 tan δ floor is achievable only when the reference capacitor stability stays within ±5 ppm/°C. Frequency accuracy of ±0.01 % across 10 Hz–1 MHz is set by the crystal oscillator and the PLL divider chain.
Temperature compensation is performed in firmware using a calibrated NTC sensor mounted next to the test terminals. If the sensor drifts > 0.2 °C, the reported loss tangent can shift by 2–3 % of reading, which is the most common cause of out‑of‑spec returns.
Material Options and Their Trade-offs
The test‑lead insulation uses either cross‑linked polyethylene (XLPE) or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). XLPE reduces lead capacitance by ~12 pF/m but softens above 80 °C; FEP maintains stiffness to 150 °C and adds only ~4 pF/m, at a 1.8× material cost increase.
Chassis panels are offered in powder‑coated aluminium (standard) or anodised aluminium (premium). Anodising improves surface hardness and reduces fingerprint visibility, useful for clean‑room environments, but adds 0.3 mm to panel thickness and ~5 % to unit weight.
Measured Performance in Real Use
Field data from 120 units deployed in transformer oil labs show a median tan δ repeatability of 0.00012 (σ = 0.00003) after a 30‑minute warm‑up. The same units, when operated continuously for 8 h, exhibit a drift of < 0.00002, confirming the thermal design margin.
Portable units used on‑site for cable diagnostics report a 15 % higher measurement spread, mainly due to lead movement and ambient temperature swings. Adding a lead‑stabilising clip reduces that spread to within 5 % of bench performance.
Size, Weight and Specification Range
| Parameter | Bench Model | Portable Model |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W×D×H, mm) | 420 × 300 × 180 | 340 × 260 × 120 |
| Weight (kg) | 12.5 | 7.8 |
| Frequency range | 10 Hz–1 MHz | 10 Hz–500 kHz |
| Tan δ resolution | 0.0001 | 0.00015 |
| Power supply | 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz | Li‑ion 14.4 V / 6 Ah (≈ 8 h) |

Packaging follows ISTA 3A drop‑test criteria; each crate is lined with 30 mm polyethylene foam and sealed with tamper‑evident tape.
Comparing Two Standard Configurations
| Feature | Bench – Standard | Portable – Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Calibration interval | 12 months | 12 months (factory) / 6 months (field) |
| Data export | USB‑C, CSV, JSON | USB‑C, CSV, JSON, Bluetooth LE |
| Lead set included | 4 × XLPE, 1 m each | 2 × FEP, 0.8 m each |
| Typical unit cost (USD) | 4,850 | 5,620 |
| Warranty | 24 months | 18 months |
The bench unit delivers lower total cost of ownership when test volume exceeds 200 measurements per month; the portable unit becomes economical only when field mobility outweighs the higher per‑test calibration expense.
What Can Be Customised and What Cannot
Customisation is limited to front‑panel branding (logo silk‑screen, colour match to Pantone), lead‑length selection (0.5 m increments up to 3 m), and firmware language packs. The bridge network, oscillator, and calibration routine are fixed to guarantee traceability.
Attempts to add extra frequency bands require a new PCB spin and re‑qualification, which adds 8–10 weeks lead time and a non‑recurring engineering charge. Buyers should lock the frequency set at order placement.
Capacity, Tooling and Scheduling
The production line runs two parallel SMT lines and a dedicated final‑test bay. Current capacity is 150 bench units or 200 portable units per month, with a 4‑week cycle from PCB assembly to calibrated shipment.
Tooling for custom lead sets is amortised over 500 units; orders below that threshold incur a $1,200 set‑up fee. Forecast sharing 12 weeks ahead allows the factory to stage calibration fixtures and avoid bottlenecks.
Call to Action
Ready to align specifications with your test‑volume targets? Discuss your project with our applications engineers and receive a detailed quotation within two business days.



