Hi,

Is it possible to test capacitors reliably without a capacitance
meter?


Marky P.

"Marky P" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Is it possible to test capacitors reliably without a capacitance
meter?

If you want to test capacitors reliably you need an ESR (Effective series
resistance) meter, not a capacitance one.

Otherwise testing by substitution is your best bet.

David.

In article ,
Marky P wrote:
Is it possible to test capacitors reliably without a capacitance
meter?

A 'capacitance meter' doesn't really test caps. For electrolytics you need
an ESR meter. They're fairly expensive so probably the best means of
testing is substitution.

--
*If at first you do succeed, try not to look too astonished.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Marky P"


Is it possible to test capacitors reliably without a capacitance
meter?

** No * ONE * test ( or cap tester) will establish that a capacitor is
perfectly OK, however, if a cap fails even one important test - is IS
faulty.

Different types of caps have different electrical characteristics, ie
electros are very different from plastic film or ceramic types - so the
tests you do must suit the type of cap.




...... Phil

"David Looser"
"Marky P"

Is it possible to test capacitors reliably without a capacitance
meter?

If you want to test capacitors reliably you need an ESR (Effective series
resistance) meter, not a capacitance one.


** That only applies to electrolytic caps - plus the name is "equivalent
series resistance".

Plus an ESR meter will NOT find electro caps that have excessive leakage,
de-polarised or even become short circuit.

Capacitance meters are basically only handy when you have caps with no
markings, ambiguous markings or an unknown colour code.


...... Phil

"Phil Allison" wrote in message
...

"David Looser"
"Marky P"

Is it possible to test capacitors reliably without a capacitance
meter?

If you want to test capacitors reliably you need an ESR (Effective series
resistance) meter, not a capacitance one.


** That only applies to electrolytic caps -

True, but with modern equipment the vast majority of faulty capacitors are
electrolytics. Of course if he was talking about pre-1960 equipment then
leaky paper capacitors are almost a given.

plus the name is "equivalent series resistance".

Both terms are used. In this context they are equivalent because they
effectively mean the same thing.

Plus an ESR meter will NOT find electro caps that have excessive
leakage, de-polarised or even become short circuit.

Agreed, but these faults are readily apparent with normal testing methods.

Capacitance meters are basically only handy when you have caps with no
markings, ambiguous markings or an unknown colour code.

Agreed.

David.

Marky P wrote:
Hi,

Is it possible to test capacitors reliably without a capacitance
meter?


Marky P.

By test, do you mean "is it working ok?" or do you want to measure the
value accurately?

For a quick and dirty test, just connect a multimeter on the ohms range.
The needle should flick across to short circuit, then drop back towards
high resistance. The time it takes to drop back is proportional to the
value of the capacitor. If the needle ultimately drops back to open
circuit, the cap is probably ok. For a more complete picture you need a
proper capacitor that will do several things - measure the actual
capacitance, put an appropriate voltage across it, measure the ESR and
the leakage resistance.

d

"David Looser the Brain Dead Lying **** "


Is it possible to test capacitors reliably without a capacitance
meter?

If you want to test capacitors reliably you need an ESR (Effective
series resistance) meter, not a capacitance one.


** That only applies to electrolytic caps -

True, but with modern equipment the vast majority of faulty capacitors...


** So ****ing what ?

The OP never alluded to what sort of caps he wanted to test.

So your assumption is 100% FALSE !!!!!!!!



plus the name is "equivalent series resistance".

Both terms are used.


** Complete ********.


Plus an ESR meter will NOT find electro caps that have excessive
leakage, de-polarised or even become short circuit.

Agreed,


** So your assertion above is a 100% total pile of CRAP.

Just like you - sunshine.




...... Phil

"Don Pearce the Geriatric Fool "


For a quick and dirty test, just connect a multimeter on the ohms range.
The needle should flick across to short circuit, then drop back towards
high resistance. The time it takes to drop back is proportional to the
value of the capacitor. If the needle ultimately drops back to open
circuit, the cap is probably ok.


** ROTFLMFAO !!!!!!!!!!

Hey grand-dad !!

Got any ****ing idea how long it is since " multimeters " had needles ??

Bet your pathetic old AVO has a nice BENT one - eh ?


Why don't you **** the HELL off - grand dad -

& spare the planet you dumb as dog **** WRONG advice.




....... Phil

Phil Allison wrote:
"Don Pearce the Geriatric Fool "


For a quick and dirty test, just connect a multimeter on the ohms range.
The needle should flick across to short circuit, then drop back towards
high resistance. The time it takes to drop back is proportional to the
value of the capacitor. If the needle ultimately drops back to open
circuit, the cap is probably ok.


** ROTFLMFAO !!!!!!!!!!

Hey grand-dad !!

Got any ****ing idea how long it is since " multimeters " had needles ??

Bet your pathetic old AVO has a nice BENT one - eh ?


Why don't you **** the HELL off - grand dad -

& spare the planet you dumb as dog **** WRONG advice.




...... Phil




You don't have a multimeter with a needle? You are missing one of the
best alignment tools anyone could own - and a handy capacitor tester of
course. Go out and buy one now - it isn't a replacement for a DMM, but a
very useful complement.

d