ESR Capacitor tester

[bryan]

Hello:

Looking to build a ESR cap tester. Wondering if anybody has built this one and can comment on it. Seems like an easy build.

Capacitor ESR Tester

Thanks

 

[EN0]

It certainly looks like that project is well worth the time, but instead of an analog display you might find a digital one more satisfactory.

Austin

 

[bryan]

True, but haven't been able to find many on the web. There is one from Elektor magazine that I found, but uses a double sided board and a lot more work.

 

[crutschow]

If you don't need the precision of a digital readout, an analog readout is generally easier to read and observe trends. Since you usually aren't interested in high accuracy in measuring ESR, I would stay with the analog readout.

 

[EN0]

Yes you could still go with an analog display if that would make things easier for you; but to truly get the most accurate reading possible a digital display is the way to go.

Austin

 

[crutschow]

Accuracy is sometimes overrated.

 

[bryan]

Just need to find aa source for a cheap 50ua meter. Not cheap if buying from the major retailers like newark or digikey. I suppose I could connect the output to my dvm

 

[mneary]

A digital meter might have better resolution, but that has little to do with accuracy.