Do I need multiple ESR meters? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: staze
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 08:49:58 pm
content: All,So, since I just got a DER DE-5000, I'm wondering if I need to keep my trusty "blue" meter. I don't see ESR meters being like a multimeter where more is better, or you want to double check a result. Most ESR tests, for repair purposes, are almost "pass/no pass" anyway.Thoughts?

author: markce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 09:22:26 pm
content: I also bought the DE5000.It would be nice to have an additional in-circuit ESR checker.

author: ion
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 09:33:30 pm
content: I was wondering the same about my ESR-micro 4 after I got a DE-5000.I'm glad I kept both - being able to check ESR in circuit can save a lot of time.

author: Terabyte2007
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 09:37:53 pm
content: I have several. I cross check components quite often. It probably would not be a bad idea to keep both!

author: staze
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 10:01:09 pm
content: okay, makes sense, I guess. Maybe I'll just bring "old blue" to the office for repairs here. Not that I'd use it very often. Or, I'll just stash it away incase the DE-5000 dies.Also good point about in-circuit. My understanding is the DE-5000 puts out a little too much juice (will turn on BJT's) to use in-circuit. *sigh* I keep buying equipment and not ever getting rid of any. =P

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 10:17:16 pm
content: If you are using any equipment as a hobbyist there is no critical need.As a professional doubling up on gear or having gear that overlaps is never a bad thing. For example I have 3 soldering irons on the bench 2 with tips I use often (saves time) a third iron for doing things a soldering iron should not be asked to do.Good question actually.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 10:17:50 pm
content: I have often wondered how much duplication of test gear does one really need?I have taken the approach: Do I trust that piece of gear?How can it be trusted without comparison?Because of the fear of turning into a "Volt Nut" I have taken this approach:When the tester is checked againstknown value new componentsand results are within coey, that's good enough IMO.So for a cap of say 470 uF and 50 mOhm ESR if it measures better than 450 and 70 I will consider it still serviceable.(figures pulled out of the air.)Consider that a properly designed circuit "should" have some tolerance of component values so it can still operate with the tolerance of manufactured components.Absolute test values are therefore not needed IMO

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 10:52:11 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on July 14, 2014, 10:17:50 pmTrue the confidence in the measurement can be had in other ways. On a professional bench downtime is probably more of a consideration. I have been caught a couple times having to buy or rent equipment to complete a job. As contractor that is always a possibility, as is purchasing equipment just to get a job started. It's all part of the game if you are running your own show.

author: TheRuler8510
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 10:59:49 pm
content: Funny, but I'd say keep the secondary meter, and get a third...Different meters may use different types of test signals, leading to different results on occasion. One time I had a bad capacitor that was only shown as bad by one of two meters in-circuit. Out-of-circuit, both showed it as bad, but in-circuit, different results.Good Luck!