Can the Philips PM6303 measure ESR? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2019, 06:18:25 pm
content: Hello Mates,can the Philips PM6303 (not A version, the brown and older one) measure capacitor ESR or is there any math I can to achieve this measurement?Greetings

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2019, 07:12:09 pm
content: Why would you want to measure ESR when your advanced LCR meter measures D (disipation factor)This link has an explaination of how D relates to ESRhttps://www.instructables.com/id/Measuring-Capacitor-Health-tan-%CE%B4-vs-ESR/

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2019, 09:12:34 pm
content: ahah, tks!!I was total unaware of this technique, will study and use this way!

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2019, 12:34:12 am
content: Rs on the pm6303 is equal to the ESR

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2019, 02:19:25 pm
content: The attached chart was part of the PM6303A to PM6306A RCL meters handbook and also applies to the PM6303.Before I had a real ESR meter, I used the PM6303A and switched between "D" and "Rs" to get a good idea of the ESR of the capacitor. The same applies to the PM6303.

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2019, 02:43:57 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on September 29, 2019, 02:19:25 pmIf the D is a better diagnostic of a capacitor then ESR and RS is the ESR itself, why did you buy a "real esr meter", what meter is?

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2019, 03:43:49 pm
content: Quote from: rvalente on September 29, 2019, 02:43:57 pmBecause a real ESR Meter can have some advantages, depending on the capacitor.My best ESR meter is probably the Sencore LC102 or LC103, best capacitor tester ever!https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/wtb-sencore-lc102-capacitor-inductor-analyzer/And I really like the nice little ESR Meter by Peak Atlas, because its so small and usable for in circuit testinghttps://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/esr70-capacitor-esr-meter.html

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2019, 03:51:25 pm
content: Got it, I believe for simple troubleshouting of bad capactiors the PM6303 would do just fine for me, like now, repairing the bad capacitores from the know TDS5xx series.But, these peak atlas units sounds very very good, I may try one of those cheap 10 bucks components testers as well.

author: Kosmic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2019, 12:57:08 am
content: If you have a LCR meter I don't think you need a ESR meter. ESR meter is normally limited to measure the Rs (or commonly called ESR) parameter. A LCR meter can measure Rs and many other parameters.Quoting a paper from IET Labs:QuoteAlso D and Rs are closely relatedQuotePersonally I use Rs most of the time when evaluating electrolytic capacitors.More info here:https://www.ietlabs.com/pdf/application_notes/030122%20IET%20LCR%20PRIMER%201st%20Edition.pdf

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2019, 01:53:22 am
content: Quote from: rvalente on September 29, 2019, 03:51:25 pmMember discounts here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/special-offer-to-eevblog-forum-members/

author: mr.fabe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2019, 08:56:44 pm
content: For ESR, I have a Sencore LC75, LC103, Peak ESR70, U1733C, and a few others. I use the ESR70 the most on electrolytics because it's so simple and convenient. With the needle type probes, the ability to discharge caps < 50V, no polarity restraints, and in circuit test capabilities, diagnosing potentially bad caps is fast work.