(cheap) ESR Meter for beginner, suggestions? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2015, 01:57:55 pm
content: hey guys,I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on cheapish ESR meters for basic repairs ? I've looked around and two that I've read about are at least $100usd + shipping.. which seems a lot, not sure if that's what they run for.http://shop.anatekcorp.com/index.php?src=directory&view=products&srctype=detail&refno=2&category=Component%20Analyzershttp://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DER-EE-DE-5000-High-Accuracy-Handheld-LCR-Meter-New-from-Japan-Free-ShIpping-/151122560024?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232f9b4418(Not sure if an LCR meter would benefit me or not)I have a MM (https://www.toolmart.com.au/measuring-tools/qm1548.html) which does Capacitance, though never used it, nor know of its accuracy. an ESR that measures both ESR/Capacitance would be neat I guess, but probably not essentialhttp://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr70.htmlHear the above wasn't too good and pricy for what is was.I also came across this one in ebay,http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ESR-V5-ESR-Capacitor-Tester-Internal-Resistance-Meter-Test-In-Circuit-Online-NEW-/331330272460?hash=item4d24d2bcccthough a cheap chinese model, not sure how accurate it would be. It also says it only measures upto 2000uF, is that considered low? Would there be higher rated caps in smaller devices?I was considering learning repairs for basic electronic items (monitors, PSUs, speakers etc..), but didnt want to waste money on something that might be of no benefit.I have seen some schematics on making one.. but at this stage I think it's a bit much for me and I don't think I have the proper means to calibrate it.Any suggestions would be super,Thanks,

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 27, 2015, 03:56:40 pm
content: The DER EE DE-5000 is a nice unit. The best bargain is the get it with the TL-21, TL-22 and TL-23:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DER-EE-DE-5000-High-Accuracy-Handheld-LCR-Meter-with-TL-21-TL-22-TL-23-/261980180124?hash=item3cff3c4e9cPedroDaGr8 did a review on it here-https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/der-ee-de-5000-unboxing-and-teardown/I also have one and it is very useful. I would pull the plug and get with the extras.

author: Mephitus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2015, 04:06:22 pm
content: Might I recommend the 5 transistor ESR?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/5-transistor-esr-meter-design/msg171364/#msg171364

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2015, 04:29:42 pm
content: build yourself one, it's easy and you learn from thatplenty of schematics on my repository (address below)

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2015, 06:32:12 pm
content: I have one of these...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Auto-Range-In-Circuit-ESR-Capacitor-Meter-Tester-Up-to-0-001-to-100R-MESR100-UK-/311001050791?hash=item48691b6ea7It works well and has good resolution. It measures at 100kHz with (approximate) sine wave - I don't remember paying that much for it though.Note that it only measures ESR, there's no capacitance measurement function. The clips are not Kelvin connection though so it doesn't distinguish contact resistance from ESR at the milliOhm level but the Zero button takes out lead resistance.and most of the contact resistance if you zero it with both clips on the same capacitor lead first.I agree, a basic one is a good beginners project for basic go / no-go testing where you're not trying to check low ESR caps against manufacturers' specs.

author: michaeliv
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2015, 07:32:48 pm
content: I have this and it works great. You don't get continuous measurement though, you have to hook up the component & press the button.http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-New-1Pcs-Mega328-Transistor-Tester-Diode-Triode-Capacitance-ESR-Meter-MOS-PNP-NPN-L/1881144443.htmlhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Mega328-ESR-Meter-LCR-Transistor-Tester-Diode-Triode-Capacitance-inductance-MOS-/281453993732?hash=item4187f71f04Accuracy is great ( better than my $50-$60 ish multimeter for SMD caps ).Measuring time is around 2s.It actually does an impressive job when recognizing components.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2015, 07:46:14 pm
content: Take a look at the Peaktech LCR meters (3705, 3730 or 2175). They start at about €30 for the simplest version. They're obviously not "highend", but for occassional use and to find out whether you'd make use of one they are more than enough.McBryce.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2015, 03:07:44 am
content: I can endorse the Anatek Blue ESR meter, which I built from a kit. It's cheaper as a kit (80 vs 99), and the kit isn't hard to put together.That meter is basically a low ohm AC impedance meter. It works well for diagnosing failed caps, where precision isn't necessary. It works in-circuit, which is useful for service work. It is not a precision LCR meter, and doesn't pretend to be.It's good for those times when you have a failed circuit that used to work, and you kind of suspect bad caps. Without going into too detailed troubleshooting or tracing schematics, you can quickly check each electrolytic and see which ones need to be replaced.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2015, 05:47:15 am
content: Quote from: McBryce on July 27, 2015, 07:46:14 pmthese meters do not measure ESR. only R,C or L

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2015, 08:28:16 am
content: Oops, doh! I went to get a link for the ESR meter I use (Peak Atlas 60) and got completely side tracked because I am looking for a cheap LCR meter for someone elseI think I'm going senile!Ok, then back to the original question... How about the Peak Atlas 60http://www.reichelt.de/?ARTICLE=81773&PROVID=2788&wt_mc=amc141526782519998&&gclid=CIOvk-iz_cYCFS3ItAodnK0MLQMcBryce... Heading off to find his medicine...

author: oldway
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2015, 08:53:19 am
content: Here, you will find a cheap and very good project of ESR meter by Jay_Diddy_B.It is fully protected and will not been damaged by loaded capacitors.Sadly, you must be aware that most of comercial ESR meter's are fragile and that they are easily damaged by loaded capacitors.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/esr-meter-adapter-design-and-construction/Another great application of such an ESR who will not be damaged by DC apply voltage is to do a quick test of all kinds of battery measuring their internal resistance.

author: LeWidget
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2015, 12:22:51 pm
content: Where do you get the PCB for the home-built ESR meters, such as the one by 'Jay_Diddy_B' or the kits listed on 'Kripton2035' site ? I think at this stage, that's the main problem compared to ordering a pre-built one.I had a look at the 'Peak Atlas 60' but at around $140.. seems a bit pricy for me at this stage.The cheap one that cost <$20 seem tempting, especially if they do the job.. only thing is they dont seem to be in-circuit, which is a bummer. In-Circuit seems like it would savealotof time.. especially if needing to test multiple components...Next one im leaning towards is the MESR-100http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Auto-Range-In-Circuit-ESR-Capacitor-Meter-Tester-Up-to-0-001-to-100R-MESR100-AU-/121376072454?hash=item1c4293e306Though @ $80.. are there any that sit in-between the $20 - $80 range that can do in-circuit? Even ones that are homemade (assuming I can get a PCB) ?Thanks again guys, much appreciated

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2015, 12:32:21 pm
content: I wouldn't put so much value on In-circuit ESR measurement. In many realworld cases there will be parallel components on the board that will cause inaccurate (or completely wrong) ESR readings even in the device claims it can measure in-circuit.McBryce.

author: JackP
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2015, 12:39:20 pm
content: Watch SDG electronics' review on the Peak ESR metre (and keep the content coming for us subs!).

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2015, 02:26:01 pm
content: Quote from: McBryce on July 29, 2015, 12:32:21 pmNot as often as you might think. A reasonable in-circuit ESR meter keeps the test voltage low enough to avoid turning on any semiconductor junctions, so they appear as open circuit. We're only left with passive components directly in parallel with the capacitors that might affect readings. The ESR should be on the order of Ohms, maybe tens of Ohms, depending on capacitance. Anything with impedance an order of magnitude higher in parallel won't be significant. There's rarely a reason to put a very small resistor in parallel with a capacitor. A larger value bleed resistor in parallel with a capacitor will have negligible effect.Sometimes two or more capacitors will be placed in parallel. This is a situation where an in-circuit ESR meter can't see the ESR of each capacitor individually, but can only see the ESR of the combination. That can be a problem, and may call for desoldering one leg of a cap.An inductor directly in parallel with a capacitor may have a low enough impedance at the test frequency to be misleading, as well, in a tank circuit that's designed to resonate at something near the test frequency or higher.But most circuits don't have these situations.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2015, 07:22:23 pm
content: Quote from: AG6QR on July 29, 2015, 02:26:01 pmAll true and correct, but I've had so many situations where I couldn't trust the reported values, that I tend to unsolder one leg every time now, just to be sure. In most cases it was a repair and some other component had failed to short or almost short. So I no longer consider in-circuit testing to be an important factor.McBryce.