Question about capacitors using a esr meter to them

arcaderookie

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2010
Messages
521
Reaction score
1
Location
Tennessee
Question about capacitors using a esr meter to them

I was wondering if there is a data sheet that gives what is a bad capacitor and what is a good capacitor reading is. Or what is a good rule of thumb to tell. If there is no physical evidence of it being a bad capacitor. When using a esr meter. And what a good way to discharge a capacitor too. Do you need to discharge small capacitor or just big ones or both.


Thanks in advance
 
Cap checker

The Manufacture of the ESR meters supplies you wit ha chart, each manufacture is different in how they display good or bad caps to you. Mine has a bargraph chart on the front of the unit. When you go to test a cap using the ESR meter. The meter dischages the cap then checks the cap. I let the meter discharge the cap. You can go arcos them with a needle nose with insulated handles, but why?. For the most part the caps you will be checking in circuit, end up discharging threw the circuits around them.

If you picked up a used ESR meter try the manufactures web site or post the model and ask if someone has a copy
RJ
 
The Manufacture of the ESR meters supplies you wit ha chart, each manufacture is different in how they display good or bad caps to you. Mine has a bargraph chart on the front of the unit. When you go to test a cap using the ESR meter. The meter dischages the cap then checks the cap. I let the meter discharge the cap. You can go arcos them with a needle nose with insulated handles, but why?. For the most part the caps you will be checking in circuit, end up discharging threw the circuits around them.

If you picked up a used ESR meter try the manufactures web site or post the model and ask if someone has a copy
RJ

I didn't get anything like that with my meter. Here is the website I bought it from

http://www.radiodevices.info/zakaz_e.php

Thanks
 
The meter I bought has a table on the front of it. :)
 
There is a table of figures to use as a guideline in the PDF manuals at the link you provided.

Thanks kane086. I thought it was the generic one I got with it. but it didn't show that part of it thanks for all the help guys..
 
Do you need to discharge small capacitor or just big ones or both

here is one i have. i think it's great, mostly
it also discharges capacitors automatically
http://cgi.ebay.com/Peak-Atlas-ESR-Meter-ESR70-Capacitor-tester-and-Repair-/190530950715


a lot of info can be found here:
http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr70.html

company is in the united kindom, i got mine from a company in texas which i cant find

nice thing is capacitors can be tested in circuit for the most part
nice thing is new capacitors can be tested good before being installed. who wants to install a bad capacitor anyplace
nice thing is you can verify if the capacitor is bad. replacing all the capacitors in a circuit can be expensive. unbelieveable how many capacitors can be fit onto a small space and why not save money and just replace the bad one

if you are going to be working on items with capacitors, an ESR meter is a must
 
Last edited:
here is one i have. i think it's great, mostly
it also discharges capacitors automatically
http://cgi.ebay.com/Peak-Atlas-ESR-Meter-ESR70-Capacitor-tester-and-Repair-/190530950715


a lot of info can be found here:
http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr70.html

company is in the united kindom, i got mine from a company in texas which i cant find

nice thing is capacitors can be tested in circuit for the most part
nice thing is new capacitors can be tested good before being installed. who wants to install a bad capacitor anyplace
nice thing is you can verify if the capacitor is bad. replacing all the capacitors in a circuit can be expensive. unbelieveable how many capacitors can be fit onto a small space and why not save money and just replace the bad one

if you are going to be working on items with capacitors, an ESR meter is a must


I was going to get that one and I read about the one I got. Now I almost with I would have got that instead oh well maybe later..This is all new to me..just need the kick start to figure out everything. Thanks
 
Best one, IMO:
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/2003esrchart.txt

Code:
             Approx worst (highest) ESR readings for new capacitors

                10V     16V     25V     35V     63V    160V    250V
              _______________________________________________________
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
         1uF |  xxx  |  xxx  |   5   |   4   |   6   |  10   |  20   |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
       2.2uF |  xxx  |  xxx  |  2.5  |   3   |   4   |   9   |  14   |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
       4.7uF |  xxx  |  xxx  |   6   |   3   |   2   |   6   |   5   |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
        10uF |  xxx  |  1.6  |  1.5  |  1.7  |   2   |   3   |   6   |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
        22uF |   3   |  0.8  |   2   |   1   |  0.8  |  1.6  |   3   |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
        47uF |   1   |   2   |   1   |   1   |  0.6  |   1   |   2   |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
       100uF |  0.6  |  0.9  |  0.5  |  0.5  |  0.3  |  0.5  |   1   |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
       220uF |  0.3  |  0.4  |  0.4  |  0.2  |  0.15 | 0.25  |  0.5  |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
       470uF |  0.15 |  0.2  | 0.25  |  0.1  |  0.1  |  0.2  |  0.3  |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
     1,000uF |  0.1  |  0.1  |  0.1  |  0.04 |  0.04 |  0.15 |  xxx  |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
     4,700uF |  0.06 |  0.05 |  0.05 |  0.05 |  0.05 |  xxx  |  xxx  |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|
             |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
    10,000uF |  0.04 |  0.03 |  0.03 |  0.03 |  xxx  |  xxx  |  xxx  |
             |_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|


.

Edit: Or the graphics version that some people like, others despise...

ESRChart.jpg
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom