It's a very nice detailed explanation of how esr is useful for us to understand the state of a capacitor ! Your video is very informative and throws some streaks of light in a dark corner of the subject. I found the English used by you also very clear with very good pronunciation! Thank you so much,sir, and keep up with your good work!
In reference to your video #154, I remember learning about "ELI the ICE man" in my Avionics electrical classes in the navy. A good way to help remember the phase relationship in inductive and capacitive AC circuits. 73...I have watched many of your videos and also Mr Carlson's too. Electronics is fun. 73, Tim W8RNG.
Thank you for using that diagram bottom right of the page towards the end of the video to explain the phase shift angle. I had difficulty understanding how degrees of an angle, which to me is a physical geometrical concept, related to the sinewave property of AC current flow. That diagram helped me visualise the concept and suddenly it became clear to me.
IT took me a long while to finally understand, but now I get ESR thanks to you! This is a fantastic and throrough explanation. Thank you so much! (And for ALL of your work)
Thank you for the discussion it really clears up the theory behind ESR. Also, thank you for the break, it allows the breaking fog to fall to the wayside.
Very informative video. I've been learning this stuff kind of late in life to work on my guitar tube amps. Videos from you, EEVblog, Joe Smith, Mr. Carlson's Lab, D-Lab.............. have helped me a lot. Thanks to all the brilliant guys like you for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for doing such a complete, and simple explanation of the theory. I'm looking forward to watching part 2. It has been 35 years since I studied the theory behind capacitors.
The DE-5000 LCR meter is a really great product IMHO. Great construction, very rugged, really nice display, easy to use, functionally comprehensive and pretty accurate. Can’t praise it highly enough; bought mine from a supplier in Japan for under £50 delivered. True bargain! 😎👍 Another great video BTW. Keep ‘em coming.
very good info on all your videos. but I would have to take a day off of work one day and also get a ESR meter then set and learn from you videos. thanks again
I gotta admit I had to mput toothpicks under my eyelids to watch this one. But what an educational and informative video. Better than the classsroom. A lot of thought and preparation went into this and it was very well explained. I for one and I expect everyone else gotg a great deal of insight from this. Those darn wax caps. Gone with the wind. Thanks again for an outstanding effort!
I bought a Peak ESR meter just for this purpose of finding bad or worn out caps and found it useless. I would get good ESR readings on obviously bad Mallory caps from 1959 with blisters out of my Fender Tweed amp. I discovered the best way to test caps was to get a Sencore Capacitor analyzer which is a lot more expensive. I have not used one yet but got the impression you really have to test the cap for leakage of amperes to determine if it is good or bad. It appears the Sencore units were made for this purpose.
Great tutorial. You can also test the resistance and microhenries of the inductors with the esr meter. The reactance formula is 2𝛑FL. That would be 2 x 3.14 x frequency of esr meter which is 100kHz x 100uH Just plug it in. R=0.628 X L(uH) L(uH)=R(ohms)/0.628
Thanks Peter. I assume in Part 2 you will be testing the e-caps under voltage. I use the Blue ESR Meter and the DCR/ESR Cap Analyzer 88A from Electronic Design Specialists.
Hi there. I have enjoyed viewing many of your videos, TRX. I think you have a real gift for explaining electronics in an easily approachable fashion. The first part of this video truly blew me away, absolutely fantastic presentation. Having said all that, at around 24:10 it all seemed to come apart. It would seem to me that some of the theory isn't quite right. Is that possible? It could very well be that I'm the one missing the boat here, and if that's the case then please accept my apologies.
No worries if something is not clear to you we try to help out. If you can tell me where you feel you have missed the boat I may be able to explain because so far I don't see your problem..and in any case no need to apologize... Have a nice day
Thanks for replying! My first observation, it's my understanding that electrolytic filter caps are tested at 120Hz or 100Hz. Please see here: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/290252/at-what-test-frequency-should-electrolytic-capacitors-be-measured If you look at modern electrolytic caps datasheets, their tan(theta) are measured at 120Hz and 20 degrees C. I believe, technically, ESR stands for Equivalent Series Resistance, you use the word Resistor. It's OK, but it was a bit disorienting at first. At 14:06, you mention the capacitor should be better than 0.8ohms, I suspect you meant 0.08ohms based on the chart you showed earlier. It took me a few takes to figure that one out, because, you know, even 0.09ohm is much better than 0.8ohm! I didn't get what you were talking about at first. The type of ESR charts that you showed can be helpful, but they are best for older generation capacitors. With modern electrolytic caps to be sure the ESR is within spec you have to check the tan(theta) on the data sheet for each particular capacitor, at least that's my understanding. In essence, the values on a chart like that need to evolve as the electrolysis manufacturing processes evolves and you will never know if the chart you have is for the era of capacitor you are examining. At around 17:16 you stress that caps need to be tested at 100kHz. Here's what Wikipedia says about ESR: "If not otherwise specified, the ESR is always an AC resistance[vague] measured at specified frequencies, 100Khz for switched-mode power supply components, 120hz for linear power supply components, and at the self-resonant frequency for general application components." I will think more about the theory part I initially mentioned and follow up. Thank you again for all the videos you have made. I hope my comments are seen as trying to be constructive, and not just being critical for criticism's sake, the latter is not my intent.
Hi, well your basic understanding is right. May be it would be helpful if you watch my video #83 where I explain where to use which test frequency...Hope that helps. And no I don't see your comment in any kind of being critical. Cheers
Yes the Peak Atlas ESR70 is a great product. When ordering one, also get the Peak Gold plated needle probes for in-circuit testing. Just replace the mini banana plug connected croc clips with the probes and then do a probe calibration.
Glenn Watkins : has pointed out that a shorted or partially shorted cap can check OK (ie: low resistance) - so if you check a cap and the indicated ESR seems too good (low) to be true - it's wise to check it out with an ohm meter. Or you can parallel the ESR meter and an ohm meter and look for shorts at the same time. Glenn Watkins: hat darauf hingewiesen, dass ein Kurzschluss oder ein teilweiser Kurzschluss vorliegt Die Kappe kann auf OK prüfen (d. h. niedriger Widerstand) - wenn Sie also eine Kappe und das überprüfen Der angegebene ESR scheint zu gut (niedrig) zu sein, um wahr zu sein - es ist ratsam, dies zu überprüfen mit einem Ohmmeter messen. Oder Sie können das ESR-Messgerät und ein Ohmmeter parallel schalten und nach Kurzschlüssen suchen gleichzeitig.
+TRX Bench Hi Peter. I always enjoy and learn from your content. Also, I have a DE-5000 LCR meter and I have noticed that it has a button labeled SER/PAL. I have never used the Parallel feature. Can you speak a bit on the usefulness of this feature?
Thank you Ken. Well to explain the SER/PAL test option would take a bit here. It depends among other factors on the capacitate of the cap. The DE5000 will do it automatically so you do not really need to use this switch manually let the meter do this job for you...73
Yes, I have noticed the meter switching to the PAL function. But, usually I simply switch it to SER manually because I am intending to measure a series resistance. Perhaps I don't have a full understanding of it's intended usage. Thanks, once again.
Well. In order to put the meter into ESR mode. You have to press the “SER/PAL” button at least once. The sequence I use is : Press “LCR AUTO” twice- Press “SER/PAL” once- Press “D/Q/ESR” twice. This puts your DE-5000 into ESR mode on the secondary, smaller value at the top of the screen. Unless I’m missing something, you do have to put the meter into ESR mode in order to measure ESR, correct?
As a general rule, inductors do not fail. They are just a coil of wire, so there's not much to go wrong with them as long as they are sized properly for the circuit in which they operate. In the extremely rare case that they do fail, they usually burn open, and if you cannot see the damage, you will likely smell it. Something like a lightning strike or a catastrophic over-voltage/over-current incident may cause this, but most circuits these days have OVP/OCP. In any case, a simple inductance test will be sufficient to check the health of most any inductor. You may want a meg-ohmmeter to test multi-lead inductive devices such as transformers or common mode chokes. Generally that is specialty equipment, however, and not necessary for the hobbyist or even the small-shop technician. Hope this helps.
The best way to be confident about whether a suspect capacitor is good or not is to measure the ESR of one or more brand-new ones of the same value and working voltage! Der beste Weg - sicher zu sein - ob ein verdächtiger Kondensator in Ordnung ist oder nicht -besteht darin - Folgendes zu tun: Messen Sie den ESR eines oder mehrerer brandneuer Geräte mit demselben Wert und derselben Betriebsspannung !
Hi Peter, At the start of you vido you talk about the history of the ESR meter and correctly mention the that SMPSs was one of the factors. Another example for the recent popularity of ESR meters has to do with the capacitor plage in the early 2000s. Check out: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague or google "cap plage" Ken
Hi Peter, Nice presentation as always, really enjoyed the restauration of the signal tracer, have a T3 myself wich i just restored, however it doesent listen so far down in signal as your´s... -30dB att 450Mhz... strange - i must look at the schematics, they are almost the same... ,still great equipment...:-):-) As a reflection on the Esr video, i always use my It-28 cap checker when it comes to HV-elytics to push them to maximum voltage slowly to see the response....on several occations my Esr meter say marginally ok, but at fx. 400v i still have leakage.. i perhaps jump to a conclusion here since you mentioned a part 2 :-).. anyway - great job as always, keep up the nice work :-) 73´s / Anders
The crystal detektor diode is the secret. Check out this link.. semiconductormuseum.com/MuseumLibrary/HistoryOfCrystalDiodesVolume1.pdf This diodes are different from normal pn diodes. Crystal diodes commonly called POINT-CONTACT DIODES,, are the oldest microwave semiconductor devices. They were developed for use in microwave receivers and are still in widespread use as receiver mixers and detectors.Unlike the p n -junction diode, the point-contact diode depends on the pressure of contact between a point and a semiconductor crystal for its operation. During the manufacture of the point contact diode, a relatively large current is passed from the cat whisker to the silicon crystal. The result of this large current is the formation of a small region of p-type material around the crystal in the vicinity of the point contact. Thus, a pn-junction is formed which behaves in the same ways a normal p n-junction. Because this diodes were the first microwave components may explain why the unit is working up to 1GHZ. The problem is as we don't have a type we can't look for an equivalent modern type type to replace it and it is to risky to damage the diode by taking it out for reading the characteristic. May be we need to test some modern types with enough reverse voltage to handle the high voltage in tube radios...Thanks for stepping by Cheers
One can also the insulation resistance Capacitors may test GOOD when not under load - yet FAIL under nor,al operating conditions. So a MEGGER can be used to test capacitors - - the applied TEST VOLTAGE is not to exceed the specified working voltage --- In any event - capacitors that will suffer insulation breakdown will do so at a voltage much less than the Maximum working voltage specified on the capacitor. Recently I was by a customer to repair their non-working HVAC The Motor Start Capacitor tested OK and within Specification - when testing using common testing methods --- The Capacitor - rated at 450v However - when tested with a MEGER with an applied voltage of 400v indicated insulation failure. Replacing the capacitor restored the HVAC unit to normal operation. The customer was happy - as the days are becoming hotter here in AU.
Some capacitors have a very poor Q at high frequencies. I have a $6000 ESR, that I dearly LOVE! I need a new spectrum analyzer. Some piece of filth broke into my truck, and my analyzer money went to replacing those tools, so I am going to have to buy an analyzer on credit, which I just hate. I will probably end up with an old RF analyzer that runs into an old vert horiz antique O Scope.
What is you ESR meter from? Yeah there are really nice high quality products on the market...spectrum analyzer---have you ever checked out the products by signal hound?? 73
Das ist prima, dann warte noch auf Teil zwei, denn ein paar Fallstricke gibt es noch wenn nan den ESR in einer Schaltung misst (oder die Impedanz um auch akademisch korrekt zu sein). Wenn mehrere Elkos parallel in der Schaltung sind würde ein hoher ESR nicht auffallen. Das muss man wissen sonst gibt es Messfehler...
Da gebe ich Dir recht. Eine Zeitlang wurden die ESR Meter ja als DAS All-heil & -messmittel gehypt. Sicherlich ein sehr brauchbares und einfaches Prinzip, aber nicht so handhabungssicher wie man es gerne bei den Händlern beworben hat. Für den Teil 2: Erzähl doch was über die ganz praktische Bedeutung eines geringen/hohen ESR in Schaltungen/Netzteilen, was z.B. mit dem Ausgangssignal passiert, was das für den Kondensator selbst bedeutet. Vielleicht auch etwas über die Ausgangskondensatoren in Schaltnetzteilen.
Is that a Sencore ESR meter I see above on your bench? Those will test cap leakage at full rated voltage, why didn't you use that and compare to the low-voltage ESR meter, which I believe is not giving you true information.
I purchased the MESR - 100 yesterday and the annoying thing is that the leads are not long, and when I put normal leads on it detects that and complains and dosnt allow me to use them The Zero mode dosnt go down to Zero
"und vy I am telling you zis is very simple" - starting to remind me of my linear algebra with theory class - always hated when the professor would say something like that :-)
Ich wollte mir mit dem Gerät die Diagnose eigentlich erleichtern. Wie ich das verstehe ist es aber eine Raterei ob was defekt ist oder nicht. Auch habe ich nicht die große Lust auf eine große Rechnerei. Fazit: Geld rausgeschmissen!
ESR ist nur EIN Hilsmittel. Leckströme ein weiteres. Reale Prüfungen unter den richtigen Spannungen können wieder ein neues Bild bringen. Nicht gleich die Flinte ins Korn schmeißen. LERNEN! Schlampige Bastler und Reparateure gibt es schon genug.
You take so long to get to the point that i can literally read while watching your videos. I know what you are trying to say about 5 minutes before you finish the sentence
The same is true for loads of videos aimed to beginners or people with very limited knowledge of the subject presented. This is just natural and appropriate for this type of audience. You can speed up the video, however, up to 2x. You can also skip the parts you're not interested in to get to the juice.
I thought the same thing and made fun of my buddy who used one. But after over two years of tinkering with one… I found it compares well to my benchtop LCR meters made by HP and others. You can print the English manual free online, which is good because it’s full-size instead of that little crappy booklet they sent with it. It’s actually a really incredible piece of kit. If you watch a few more videos about it, and maybe make some custom leads… I think if you give it a chance you will like it. There are also videos regarding making the longer custom test leads I was extremely skeptical because I normally only use high-quality benchtop equipment that has been recently calibrated… but I was very happy when I began using the DE 5000. Because I can use it in the field or in situation where I’m afraid of frying one of my nice pieces of equipment. Give it a shot and you might like it.
TRX Bench Your narrative is fine: Clear, consise and informative. I suspect few of us could do the same, much less in a foreign language. I know much more now about ESR after watching this than I did before. Please don’t stop.
As a native English speaking American who once taught English as a second language, I can verify that your grammar and vocabulary are excellent. True, you have an accent, but not bad and you greatly enhance your speech intelligibility by speaking at a slow and steady pace with well-formed sentences.
