ESR Meters.

[avocollector]

My thanks to both David and Mark for their posts - most enlightening.

[Tim]

Given the prices of them in the above thread, I'm even keener to build one! I have all the bits and instructions/ circuit. Now all I need is the time!

[evingar]

Originally Posted by Argus25

The best ESR meter I have ever used was the one designed by Bob Parker. I have the kitset version of it made by Silicon Chip, available from Altronics with a lovely black housing and Red LED's, but they come in other forms:

Another vote for the Bob Parker design here
I have 2 meters, both built from kits, an older Anatec "blue" and one from a chap in Portugal (EVB).

http://clientes.netvisao.pt/greenpal/evb1.htm

Both versions seem very well protected from applied voltage, judging from the daft things I've done to both. It's nice to have a circuit diagram for both. The only thing that isn't an off the shelf part is the programmed uP.

[jimmc101]

A varied collection of homebrew ESR meter circuits is available on kripton2035's site

Jim

[Philips210]

Hi.

I built a very useful ESR meter from TELEVISION magazine. The project was by Alan Willcox and the articles can be found here https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=93523 post#5 thanks to member KeithsTV.

Regards
Symon.

[M3VUV51]

look at my homebrew one from p diddy at eev blogg,also the chinese esr meters use a too high voltage to test in circuithttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/5-transistor-esr-meter-design/200/

[Bazz4CQJ]

Are you saying that someone has tested all of the "chinese esr meters" and established that they all work on too high a voltage to use 'In-circuit', or is that just a sweeping generalisation? The point has to be stressed here that if you buy a tester for the lowest price on the market, you would be foolish to think it is likely to perform as well as something costing appreciably more.

I think that the issue of testing the ESR of capacitors 'in circuit' is regarded by some people as a bit of a grey area, and there is some possibility of getting a false reading even when low voltage tester is being used.

B

[evingar]

I think that the issue of testing the ESR of capacitors 'in circuit' is regarded by some people as a bit of a grey area, and there is some possibility of getting a false reading even when low voltage tester is being used.

I think you have to use your head a bit and work out what's in parallel. Measuring caps in circuit has saved me a lot of time when repairing SMPSU's.

[Longespee]

After reading this thread and finding it most useful and interesting ( apart from the fact I'm borrowing an ESR more often than I feel comfortable with ) , I have opted for the Peak, should be here next week.

[HamishBoxer]

You will not go wrong with the Peak.

[Pamphonica]

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!