[Test-Equipment] Cap testing with MegOhmMeter?

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Yes, I've used a megger for this, but you have to be careful what you test 
with it.  Both of the meggers that I have put out a non-adjustable regulated 500 
volts.  Most of the capacitors in a BC-312, for example, are rated 300 volts 
or less.  So I normally use a Sprague TO-6A, which has an adjustable supply 
and the meter indicates leakage current instead of ohms.  There's a chart in the 
manual listing acceptable leakage currents for various sizes and types of 
capacitors.

In a message dated 1/7/2005 12:50:27 PM Central Standard Time, 
priapulus at yahoo.com writes: 
> Does anyone test capacitors with a MegOhmMeter?
> 
> Apparently you can test the leakage voltage at it's
> operating voltage. The person telling me about this said:
> 
> "I have lots of caps that actually get hot under operating
> voltage, not a good thing. Non-electrolytic reading under
> 100 Megohms are automatically replaced."
> 
> Have any of you tried this? Does it work?
> I have a capacitor meter and ESR meter.

Robert Downs - Houston
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