Re: ESR Meters.
The "Eureka Moment" for me was over 12+ years ago when I was trying to faultfind a switchmode power supply on a Philips scope which was giving a very fizzy trace. I HATE switchmodes!
Michael Maurice offered to let me come over and he would show me what an ESR meter can do. A few minutes of in-circuit ESR testing and the faulty caps were clearly identified.
There were so many that he suggested a complete re-cap, which I did, and the scope sprang back to life.
Since then I have always used an ESR meter on electrolytic caps involved in power-related faults.
And yes, I decided to treat myself to a Peak Electronics one. I damaged one test lead (cut through in error), and Peak volunteered to send me a new lead set foc. Now that's service!
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