impedansanalysator

An impedansanalysator (impedance analyzer) is an electronic instrument that measures the complex electrical impedance of a device or material over a selected frequency range. It characterizes how a system responds to an alternating current, providing magnitude and phase information of impedance Z = R + jX across frequencies. It is used in electronics, materials science, electrochemistry and biology for component testing, quality control and research.

The device applies a small AC test signal and measures the resulting current, computes Z from voltage and current, and often performs a frequency sweep. Many instruments deliver real and imaginary parts, |Z|, phase angle, and may display Nyquist and Bode plots. Some units are built as vector network analyzers with calibrated reflection and transmission measurements.

To improve accuracy, four-terminal sensing eliminates lead and contact resistances; calibration uses open, short, and load standards; some models offer DC bias for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and temperature control.

Impedance analyzers come as standalone instruments or as components of potentiostat/galvanostat systems for EIS. They typically cover ranges from millihertz to megahertz and voltages from millivolts to several volts, with various sample environments.

Applications include electronics component testing (capacitors, inductors), materials science (dielectrics, polymers), electrochemistry (batteries, corrosion), and biology (tissue impedance). Data are often interpreted by fitting equivalent circuit models to extract component values and physical properties.