HP / Agilent 4440B DECADE CAPACITOR

The HP/Agilent 4440B is a precision decade capacitor designed for accurate capacitance measurements, calibration, and circuit testing in laboratory and research environments. It delivers selectable capacitance values across a wide range with silvered-mica decade steps and air capacitor vernier control, operating in both two-terminal and three-terminal configurations with minimal parasitic capacitance.

Technical Specifications

• Capacitance Range: 40 pF to 1.2 µF


• Decade Switches: Four independent switches providing 0.1 µF, 0.01 µF, 0.001 µF (1000 pF), and 0.0001 µF (100 pF) steps respectively


• Vernier Control: 40 pF to 140 pF continuously adjustable with 2 pF resolution


• Direct Reading Accuracy: ±(0.25% + 3 pF) at 1 kHz for three-terminal connection


• Capacitance Residual: 1 pF (three-terminal)


• Dissipation Factor: 0.001 maximum above 1040 pF; 0.005 maximum below 1040 pF at 1 kHz


• Insulation Resistance: 5 GΩ minimum after 5 minutes at 500 Vdc


• Temperature Coefficient: Less than ±70 ppm/°C


• Maximum Voltage Rating: 500 Vdc


• Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to 65°C


• Maximum Operating Frequency: Usable to 40 MHz


• Dimensions: 76 mm H × 264 mm W × 152 mm D

Key Features

• Double-shielded construction minimizes parasitic capacitance and enables low residual error in three-terminal operation


• Silvered-mica capacitors in decade steps ensure long-term stability and accuracy


• Easy-to-read inline decade switch displays for direct capacitance value selection


• Ground terminal for three-terminal measurement mode; disconnectable grounding strap converts to two-terminal operation


• Air capacitor vernier provides fine adjustments between decade steps

Typical Applications

• Precision capacitance measurements and device calibration


• Working standard in calibration laboratories


• Circuit design and verification testing


• Research and development environments requiring stable reference capacitance

Compatibility & Integration The instrument accepts three-terminal measurement connections with isolated ground and low terminals, supporting integration into both manual measurement setups and calibration systems requiring precision reference standards.