Is it possible to measure inductance without LCR Meter/OSC/FG

Like the question, i don't have an oscilliscope/Function Generator/LCR Meter. I do have a multimeter and a lot of "scrap inductors" that i would like to measure.

I have searched a lot on the web and everyone seems to include OSC or a Function Generator. I also have a lot of parts laying around so that i can build my own circuit if needed.

I don't really have any requirments, It doesn't have to be a 100% accurate reading, around 70% works fine for me. Thanks.

• This is a really broad question, and you don't have any requirements. It appears that you haven't done any research either. Please rewrite your question. Are you willing to build your own circuit? Have you looked for circuits that you might be able to build? – Voltage Spike Mar 3 '16 at 23:33
• The specifications of an inductor are far more than just inductance. Unless you have very undemanding requirements or your scrap inductors were especially expensive ones, you may as well just throw them away and buy new ones (that you know what they are) if you need them. They aren't expensive, in most cases. – Oleksandr R. Mar 3 '16 at 23:35
• @laptop2d Updated question. @ Oleksandr R. The reason why i keep them and not buying new ones is because i just like to play around with different circuits regarding switching regulators. And i have a LOT of inductors so i don't really feel like throwing them away. – Xane Mar 3 '16 at 23:39
• Designing switching regulators with completely unspecced inductors seems like a massive waste of time. When your regulator misbehaves, how do you know it's not due to the entirely wrong flavour of inductor? – uint128_t Mar 4 '16 at 0:48
• I do have a few inductors that has the value written on them, those are the ones i'm playing around with. – Xane Mar 4 '16 at 0:54

Start at very low frequency, and the voltage at the test point should be zero, or very close. Increase the frequency and the voltage at the test point will rise. Find the frequency at which the voltage at the test point is one half the voltage at the oscillator. Depending on the frequencies available, you may have to try different resistor values to find one which works. Call this frequency f. Then, since the impedance Z of the inductor can be written as $$Z = 2\pi f L$$ and for equal voltages across Z and R, Z = R $$R = 2\pi f L$$ and $$L = \frac{R}{2\pi f}$$ This will be true for what are called high-Q inductors, which have a low series resistance, and for low-Q resistors the problem becomes a good deal more complicated, but it's a good place to start. Also note that this value of L is only correct for this frequency. For something other than a high-Q inductor, the results will vary (a little or a lot) with frequency.