Do I need multiple ESR meters?

[staze]

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?

[markce]

I also bought the DE5000.
It would be nice to have an additional in-circuit ESR checker.

[ion]

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.

[Terabyte2007]

I have several. I cross check components quite often. It probably would not be a bad idea to keep both!

[staze]

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

[pickle9000]

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.

[tautech]

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 against known value new components and 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

[pickle9000]

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 against known value new components and 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

True 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.   

[TheRuler8510]

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!