[ARC5] Aging Electrolytics

[Richard Knoppow]

On 1/30/2015 8:18 PM, Kenneth G. Gordon wrote:
> On 30 Jan 2015 at 18:33, Richard Knoppow wrote:
>
>>           ESR may not always be the right criterion.
> Correct, but I use it in conjunction with a full-voltage leakage tester.
>
> My ESR meter has a list of maximum ESR per electrolytic capacitance. If any
> I have exceed that, out they go.
>
-    Cap checkers show leakage so they are fine.   To completely test a 
cap you want to know its value, its ESR either as a resistance or as 
dissipation factor (inverse of Q) and its leakage. Cap checkers usually 
show leakage but not always ESR.  Impedance bridges usually measure 
value and DF but often not leakage so can miss some bad caps.  The old 
fashioned cap checker is an excellent tool to have.