[Test-Equipment] ESR meter

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Kaplan" <krkaplan at cox.net>
To: "Richard Knoppow" <dickburk at ix.netcom.com>; "Discussion 
of Electronic Test Equipment" 
<test-equipment at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 12:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Test-Equipment] ESR meter


> Hi Richard,
>
> Good write-up on caps. I'm sure it was helpful to many on 
> the list. My question was about the etymology of the word 
> electrolytic. I wasn't sure how the suffix "lytic" 
> applies. I have since found an explanation. Electrolytic 
> relates to something using electrolytes. Simple.
>
> I suppose all of this was ironed out by old guys back in 
> the 1800's. I've often thought that regardless of how much 
> I now know (I are an engineer), I'd be rather useless if I 
> traveled back far enough in time with just the knowledge 
> in my head. Might even get myself in trouble :-)
>
> Regards,
> Ken Kaplan
> kb7rgg
> (also from LA but living in AZ)
>
     This has piqued my curiousity, I realize I am not sure 
when electrolytic capacitors were invented or came on the 
market. Worth some research. I know the earliest ones used a 
liquid electrolyte and in later ones it was formed into a 
paste. The latter were called "dry" but of course weren't 
really. This is reminescent of batteries where the first 
ones used a liquid electrolyte (as is still done in auto 
batteries) but soon "dry" batteries using a paste were 
invented. Again, I am not at all sure of the date. I have no 
idea if the two technologies are related.


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk at ix.netcom.com