Review: Peak Atlas ESR70 Capacitance and ESR meter

[@mjlorton]

Thanks for the feedback. I have just received another LCR meter that does ESR so I will be doing comparisons as more meters come in.

[@mjlorton]

Good point but that compensation did not change the results in this case as I think it must have been done at the factory. It's very handy when say changing the croc clips for the probes.

[@craigtrojan4037]

Just want to say thank you, great video. I ended up buying this unit and can tell you already the ESR function has saved me tons of time and money already. I have already found brand new caps with way over 40 ohm ESR, saved me the time of replacing them and then finding out it didn't fix the problem. Keep up the great reviews and thank you again.

[@mjlorton]

My pleasure Craig, thanks for the post.

[@mjlorton]

Very good point Dan...I was going to note values but then thought the video would run too long...could have got around that in editing...noted! Excellent point about the scope...will do that in a follow-up.

[@mjlorton]

My pleasure, thanks very much for the feedback.

[@mjlorton]

Good question...I will follow-up with a video and the oscilloscope to confirm....

[@NunYa953]

"honey, have you seen my multimeter?" "Did you check the shelf"?

[@mjlorton]

Thanks for the feedback Bob...let me make a note of that as something to cover in the tutorial on capacitors...I'm also about to review an LCR meter so I'll try note it there too. Cheers, Martin.

[@mjlorton]

Valid point...I hope to get the 612 so we can make those comparisons and see where the value is.

[@k6eep593]

I have this meter and I love it. I also can recommend the LCR40 and LCR45. The semiconductor analyzer model DCA55 is extremely useful for identifying unknown semiconductors! For needle probes I use small pins with a plastic colored ball at one end so I can find it when I drop them. The official Peak needle probes are about $30US. Pins are cheaper.

[@mjlorton]

Thanks...working on a better mike setup to improve audio...there's a bit of testing to be done...

[@capleaker3721]

Martin, loved the ESR meter review. I found out that the ESR meter is best to find small bad caps with. On numerous occasions I found small bad electrolytic caps with it that the Fluke 289 and my Agilent 1253B didn't. Matter effect my Agilent U1733C showed that the small cap on half it's original value and high ESR. The 289 and the 1253B showed original value as printed.

[@mjlorton]

Thanks Bob, appreciate your feedback. Cheers, Martin.

[@mjlorton]

Will do! Thanks for the feedback.

[@mjlorton]

Franky has a fair amount of kit not on his store yet. You can contact him on my forum for those.

[@ronettreker]

22:30 The package did look kind of strange for a microcontroller/microprocessor. Googled the number. It's actually a piezo buzzer.

[@BryanByTheSea]

Thanks, seems perfect for a means of holding components steady while soldering. A third hand, without the hassle of a vise.

[@philipacovington]

You should do a video showing a close-up of the actual components (ICs, microcontroller) used on the board.

[@klaasklapsigaar1081]

13:51 Mine doesn't have that bird sound, how do you enable that?

[@coldshiner7700]

Hello Martin. Excellent for the price. I've used the ESR60 to check in circuit old lytics in 1960s - 1970s jukeboxes. About 90 percent of the time it works perfect. Sometimes it will show the uF as IN CIRCUIT but give a correct ESR measurement. When I remove the cap it will give the correct uF and interestingly the ESR remains the same. It saves a lot of time and expense when troubleshooting an old solid state amp. Con: Will not measure under 1 uF caps. Compare to CapWizard Please.

[@agmbass]

I also have one of this and i do a very quick check on the board and if i see a high esr reading then i take out the cap and recheck it ... so its very useful ! :)

[@michaelgamble296]

Well thought out and shown, giving very useful information for those contemplating purchase of a Peak ESR70. Always enjoy your videos - including your hilarious 'Dumpster' series which gives courage to those who might otherwise be intimidated by the prospect of bringing dumped equipment back to life! Well done. Michael UK

[@michaelgamble296]

Thanks for this great review! As I already have one of these PEAK ESR70 meters it is good to know it tests out well against all competition - and good competitors at that. Mine is the ESR70 - not the ESR70+ and I've had it for some time - the battery is still good!

[@always_broke_LOL]

Great video. Could you do review on the Peak Atlas LCR45 please. Thanks

[@nor4277]

You should compare to a vintage capicaitor checker,it will check for leaks and use actual voltage testing

[@mjlorton]

Mmm...not sure about that...will check...

[@johncunningham5435]

A very informative presentation, "thank you" I happen to own the older version with the identical model number. It comes with the fixed gold plated crocks and not detachable, I solved that problem by purchasing a size 14 sewing machine needle set that allowed me to do precise in circuit testing that speeded up my servicing dramatically. Even with the extra one and half inches the firmware was able to compensate for the difference without a problem.

[@mjlorton]

John Cunningham Thanks for the post John.

[@Budro4764]

When you said the time out of the meter it got me to thinking ...... Check the schematics of the older version and the newer version..... It might be "Guess what" a capacitor that you can change to get more time of it being on , just a thought.....

[@mjlorton]

I did an overview of the UT612 in T4D #70...does that help?

[@DanFrederiksen]

Good video but again, I highly recommend you note the actual values and plot them for visual conveyance of agreement/spread between the various instruments. Another thing I would recommend is to attach the scope to the devices during testing to see what voltage they do the testing at and how. Conceivably a capacitor might have different capacitance at different voltage levels. It might also change with speed and repetition. A scope will offer the insight. And did you connect the right polarity

[@jameswcrofts]

good work thiere martin,i have got one of these and it has helped me out of trouble alot. but i also find that when you test a cap on a pcb it reeds different when you take out,so i allways take out before any tests are carried out. cheers. over here cost me £60.00

[@mjlorton]

See link under video details....

[@greenrw22]

Thanks Martin, enjoy the comprehensive approach and attention to detail in your videos. I wonder; would you consider doing a video, in like manner, addressing the important issues around discharging capacitors? Especially addressing those that may contain enough voltage to make safety an issue. Thanks, Bob

[@mjlorton]

Thanks for the post and feedback.

[@mjlorton]

Called "press-tik"...in the US it's similar to blue tak...or poster putty.

[@JohnScot-c8h]

Isn't it starts measuring from 1uf?

[@antigen4]

you were RATHER vague about stating whether it worked as an 'in circuit' ESR meter.... which is something I (and presumably others) could really use. It would have been nice if you'd have spent more time on that aspect instead of comparing the capacitance reading to various other meters (since esr is a more valuable variable than capacitance in most cases)

[@mjlorton]

Handy feedback...thanks for the post.

[@allanbirk5767]

thank you verymuch - I am totally new in repair of smps, and found I need an esr meter to do that. your video was exceptionel informative

[@CM-dw3gh]

I'm in the same boat. I'm guessing ur pretty settled in now. What esr reader did you buy in the end?

[@BobMellor1954]

Hi Martin, great video and as with all of your videos easy to understand. I have the ESR60 which has been a little gem when it comes to diagnosing faulty switched mode power supplies as the fault is usually high ESR in the output caps. Keep up the good work.

[@1levmax]

hi it can measure 2000Mf in IN-Circuit

[@mjlorton]

Thanks for the valuable info and post. Cheers, Martin.

[@playstation2bigs]

What can you say about MESR 100 ?

[@ramstopgun]

How peak measures large capacitors esr ... 60000uf for example? Thanks

[@THEDOGBOYS3]

M, Nice review! I am still trying to get the dc ammeter from franky. Watts up with his store? It is not listed? You got me hooked with the review and now I want one. Is there any other place to get it? Thanks TDB3

[@orange11squares]

very good review, nice that you opened it up and show us what's inside.

[@marcelolopes1347]

Hi Martin, Is there any chance to review the UNI-T UT612 LCR meter? Seems to be a new model from UNI-T. Thanks in advance and great job, Marcelo.

[@BryanByTheSea]

What is the "putty" that you use to hold the components on the bench looks like a handy product.

[@kermit56780]

Excellent method with regard to testing capacitors in circuit but what about testing Mosfets in circuit?

[@Giblet535]

ESR is not a measure of internal resistance of a capacitor. Internal resistance is effective parallel resistance (EPR). The Atlas doesn't test EPR. EPR causes just as many problems as ESR.

[@firstman9273]

One thing I see from this video is that the Peak Atlas does not help you with an indication of good or bad. The MESR-100 gives a message to help with diagnosis. Also the ESR reading seemed to be consistent throughout the video for each capacitor. I'll check your other videos as what I am looking for is ideally a comparison video of the various ESR meters available, they range in price from £4 - £8 - £20 - £40 - £120 - £500

[@josegumbau]

Excellent review. Could explain how to use the Atlas ESR+ for tracing short-circuits. Thanks greetings.

[@spicky2966]

not good for SMD caps?

[@ChiefPFF]

Great review man, might I suggest a good follow up could be a comparison of the various ESR meters & meter kits that are available? Like the "Blue ESR" etc. The only comparison reviews I've ever seen have been by sellers of each of the products - and if you have a poke around google you'll see loads of people asking which one to buy..

[@GaRbAllZ]

Since the ESR meter is basically an AC Ohm meter; could you test the accuracy measuring your precision resistors?

[@stevehead365]

yes

[@otiscarr9362]

Can you able to do parallel in circuit measurment? Mine gave error in parallel. I could see you did in circuit but i guessed they were in series no? I has problem in circuit measurment in parallel but not in series.

[@JahanZeb1976]

Excellent review video. 10000000 thumbs up. Very nice learning even for new guys also doing Electronics. Regards,

[@beehive808]

How can you measure ESR by using a signal generator, oscilloscope and or a multimeter?

[@MICRORuchit]

please tell me can this thing check polyester capacitors too ?

[@z8ty]

+Ruchit Kharwa I have checked just about every type including polyester. It works for poly and all other dielectrics.

[@mariushmedias]

It's funny but the logo on the meter is "CE" as in "Chinese Export" - the logo is different than the one on the manual which is the true "CE" logo (space between letters differs) ESR can be influenced by lead length, should always put probes as close as possible to capacitor bottom, after REL-ing the meter. But this meter isn't that sensitive, and it's not even showing the real ESR but something close to that concept. Good enough for repairs, cheap, it gives indication a capacitor is bad or not.

[@totaltwit]

I like it because made in England and many we see are made in China. I was thinking if to just buy the common chinese one at about £20, then had another look at these Peak brand, was good to see the internals, looks to be well made. My reservation is those little 12V batteries tend not to last very long so the low volt test was good.

[@mjlorton]

Yup...will happen once I'm in the USA.

[@WV591]

nice demo. tu sub. makes you wonder why they never include ESR on mutimeters but have all other measurements.

[@HillOrStream]

Curious how this unit compares to the EDS-88A, have you reviewed that one? Seems nice, though a tad pricey, fairly similar in function to this one.

[@Stefan_Van_pellicom]

That white KMTG1603 is not the chip that drives it, but the beeper. 😀

[@SaurierDNA]

Hello, I'm a newbe in electronic lands and I need to test Qenteq 660VAC , 1200VAC and 2000 VAC runcapacitors with 0.1 to 30 uf. Which Multimeter or tester would you advice as a quick device for an not so knowledgable person, in order to test these runcapacitors with these Voltages, if they are still good enough to use? Thanks in advance!!

[@tonyd1149]

Thank you for making and posting this informative video. A nice meter. Thank you. ¿Can one increase the on time? Thanks.

[@joereeser3810]

nice video, thanks for the comparisons to the various multimeter options.

[@jix177]

Good review. Nice little device, good interface though perhaps a bit pricey. But if you do a lot of troubleshooting of power supplies and the like, it would certainly save a hell of a lot of time by being able to take readings in circuit.

[@et34n1ty-ttv]

I like my Peak ESR70+ works well.

[@iknowsstuff]

whats your opinion on that rs soldering station

[@abeldelgado8083]

do you recommend this little machine?

[@Tankaroonies]

I have worked with this, but you can get a far cheaper tester that has a larger frequency bandwidth, that also uses a normal 9V battery, rather than the camera type battery this uses. I don't recommend this item. It still sits next to my work bench as a standby, the tester I use is a cheap TBAU (I think), but it can test lower capacitances.

[@micmic1431968]

At 13:55... do I hear ibises ? :D

[@pagepro211]

why didn't you discharge the caps each time you test them with other meters? you would have gotten accurate readings.... you can't trust the meters to do so

[@wadehicks9270]

Nice little test jig. Good review

[@snipersquad100]

hi Martin, Can you review the uni-t ut611 esr meter? thanks

[@noelgervaisgerardlouis2027]

Hi Martin thanks for the video its really appreciate and give an idea how the peak atlas ESR work and how to use it thank again

[@1levmax]

Hi maximum Mf in the circuit? Atlas esr 70

[@muhammedtaner924]

Sir Can it be used to measure Ac 400v 10kvar capacitors?

[@mjlorton]

Thanks handy feedback...and very good price!

[@Mydrac]

Good video, like the others but could you put more volume in your videos ??

[@snipersquad100]

Wherecan i get one? and how much

[@RobsMemoryLane]

Do you recommend this device or not?

[@chickennugget3362]

I'm concerned you are going to run out of portable dmm's. I only had one, a fluke 87 but the display died on it. Just have my two bench dmm's now.

[@STBRetired1]

It would be interesting to know at what FREQUENCY were those different instruments measuring. The ESR70 tests at the industry standard of 100 KHz. Did you make sure that the other testers were also set at 100 KHz, if it were possible?

[@clems6989]

100khz

[@thermionic1234567]

Are you in South Africa?

[@jon123423]

is this any good DE-5004 6000 Count DER EE?

[@arne9219]

Hey - that's exactly the same as i thought ;) I own the previous version without the "sound" feature but anyhow it is a very good device to figure out if the Caps are good or bad. @Martin - thank you very much for the review

[@MrMisa135]

Hi...... First of all thank you very much for such a nice video...Good Explanation and video quality. I have a question for you.... Is ESR meter a must to identify a faulty Capacitor?? which one would you recommend me to use LCR meter or DMM or ESR meter when looking for a faulty capacitor.....

[@z8ty]

+Mohammed Asim I have this Peak meter and it is my choice. If you are doing repair work an ESR meter is essential. Saves a lot of time and guessing. It is amazing how many times a problem is a capacitor. For me the LCRs are overkill for diagnosis / repair work. BK makes a LCR/ESR meter that will do a lot, but it cost a lot too.

[@MrMisa135]

+z8ty thanks......

[@mtrltoolman]

+z8ty is it necessary to test the capacitor out of the circuit ?

[@z8ty]

Good video like most all of your vids. The review against meters that cannot do ESR was not all that interesting to me, but I am sure others got something from it. Perhaps compare it to a BK LCR/ESR meter or similar? That would be a good comparison.

[@adrianv8330]

This is very nice video,very helpful and informative thank you sir

[@mjlorton]

Adrian Villaflor My pleasure.

[@pecocoa]

I really like your videos. One thing is kind of annoying when you start to explain the thing before you actually do it, like you are trying to prepare people for something so they are not shocked when you switch to next thing. Then in the next shot you explain it again when you are doing it. Compared to Dave with eevblog your videos are usually super slow paced. It actually took me a really long time to get watching your videos, but now I know there is useful information also.

[@tarmo789]

nice instructional video. thank you Sir!

[@kaybhee6]

try lcr5010 or mcr5010

[@wideelectronics3690]

de verdad necesitas tantos tester

[@nothingelsematters8217]

But as I learned the exact measurement outside the circle...

[@lupojacobo9892]

Very interesting

[@roseelectronics4582]

nice review

[@cordtz]

You should probably have calibrated the ESR meter before you compared its measurement results to those of the other devices :)