Post by thread:[EE] Testing capacitors

> capacitor will go bad after a certain period of time, and cannot think > of a good way to test one, to see if it has gone bad or changed value Many multimeters have a capacitance range If the caps have been unused for a while (you said many years) I'm sure some will need reforming. Don't put one in-ciruit with rated voltage across it (aim away from face if you do ) without checking first http://www.vcomp.co.uk/tech_tips/reform_caps/reform_caps.htm and also read the pdf from the previous reply http://electrochem.cwru.edu/ed/encycl/misc/c04-appguide.pdf

Russell MacMahon wrote: > > Here's a circuit for a "99 cent ESR tester" for use with an > oscilloscope. You of course need a 'scope to use it BUT a 'scope > should be something you aspire to add to your test equipment list as > soon as possible. An oldish deadish baddish (choose any 3) one can > always be acquired for very little or free and even one of those can > utterly transform your test measurement life. The circuit didn't come through. I don't know if it got lost, or you just forgot to send it. I would like to check it out. So far as having a scope, I do have one loaned to me right now, while I am going through some do-it-at-home lab exercises. I'll have to give it back at some point, though. :-( I suspect that what I'll have to wind up doing will be some sort of combination of hardware/software which allows me to use the PC as a scope. Not sure just what is available along that line, but had already been thinking about it. Thanks, Bill

>> > Here's a circuit for a "99 cent ESR tester" for use with an >> oscilloscope. You of course need a 'scope to use it BUT a 'scope >> should be something you aspire to add to your test equipment list >> as >> soon as possible. An oldish deadish baddish (choose any 3) one can >> always be acquired for very little or free and even one of those >> can >> utterly transform your test measurement life. > The circuit didn't come through. Whoops ... http://octopus.freeyellow.com/99.html RM

> use the PC as a scope. Not sure just what is available along that line, > but had already been thinking about it. You can use the soundcard. There've been a couple of threads about this over the years. I'm sure the s/w to do this is a lot better now than it was at the time of those threads, and it wasn't half bad then Google for soundcard oscilloscope This is the first hit http://www.geocities.com/~uwezi/electronics/projects/soundcard_osci.html

Jinx wrote: >>From: "Russell McMahon" >>Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2005 2:48 AM > > > Hey, R, you lying in wait for Santa too ? Or just too darned > excited to sleep anyway ;-) > > (2:58am) > Santa goes there first? No wonder I only get socks.... :)

> Santa goes there first? > No wonder I only get socks.... > :) The reason being of course is that it's summer here. /sock weather. Who wants socks in summer Santa, what else ya got, open that bag. Oooh !!! an ICE4000 for a man in Des Moines. Hand it over, that'll go nicely on eBay. What ? Oh, just give him the socks. He won't miss what he never had Merry Christmas, fellow reprobates !!!