(cheap) ESR Meter for beginner, suggestions?

[LeWidget]

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%20Analyzers

http://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 essential

http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr70.html

Hear 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=item4d24d2bccc

though 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,

[GreyWoolfe]

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=item3cff3c4e9c
PedroDaGr8  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.

[Mephitus]

Might I recommend the 5 transistor ESR? https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/5-transistor-esr-meter-design/msg171364/#msg171364

[kripton2035]

build yourself one, it's easy and you learn from that
plenty of schematics on my repository (address below)

[Gyro]

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=item48691b6ea7

It 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.

[michaeliv]

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.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mega328-ESR-Meter-LCR-Transistor-Tester-Diode-Triode-Capacitance-inductance-MOS-/281453993732?hash=item4187f71f04

Accuracy 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.

[McBryce]

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.

[AG6QR]

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.

[kripton2035]

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.

these meters do not measure ESR. only R,C or L

[McBryce]

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 else I think I'm going senile!

Ok, then back to the original question... How about the Peak Atlas 60 http://www.reichelt.de/?ARTICLE=81773&PROVID=2788&wt_mc=amc141526782519998&&gclid=CIOvk-iz_cYCFS3ItAodnK0MLQ

McBryce... Heading off to find his medicine...

[oldway]

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.

[LeWidget]

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 save alot of time.. especially if needing to test multiple components...

Next one im leaning towards is the MESR-100

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Auto-Range-In-Circuit-ESR-Capacitor-Meter-Tester-Up-to-0-001-to-100R-MESR100-AU-/121376072454?hash=item1c4293e306

Though @ $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

[McBryce]

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.

[JackP]

Watch SDG electronics' review on the Peak ESR metre (and keep the content coming for us subs!).

[AG6QR]

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.

Not 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. 

[McBryce]

Not 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.

All 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.