3 Ways to Check Capacitors in Circuit with Meters & Testers

[@TampaTec]

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE TECH REVIEWS AND GIVEAWAYS- instagram.com/tampatec/

[@foodlifeetc.8566]

Cheers for the Video clip! Forgive me for the intrusion, I would love your initial thoughts. Have you thought about - Saankramer Electronic Magazine System (should be on google have a look)? It is a smashing one off guide for learning how to repair electronic items like a wizard without the normal expense. Ive heard some interesting things about it and my work buddy after a lifetime of fighting got cool results with it.

[@markomarinkovic7634]

hey ,if anyone else trying to find out industrial electronic repair try Saankramer Electronic Magazine System (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some decent things about it and my mate got amazing results with it.

[@HandyTim]

So if you have 5volt standby testing good but 12volt only reading .023 or .016 but no reading on the other end of the wire what needs to be tested next

[@jccgold]

What did you say in the end? Should be 150 uF but was 890 uF was that a good capacitor or not?

[@leonremp3532]

marko marinkovic {{

[@jeanpanaccio4484]

After watching your KZbin vid I had enough confidence to try and repair a Phillips TV that had sound but no picture. I replaced three capacitors that looked bulged for 99 cents each. Works great now. Many thanks.

[@JustSomeGuyLV]

One of the best, if not THE BEST display of ESR tester measuring resistance of capacitors while they are soldered on circuit board. Can't stand the other YT channels skipping out on displaying this innovative function and it's accuracy.

[@tonywylder645]

I love your videos. In 1961, when I was five, I used to test the tubes for my Dad. The tester looked like a hospital medical unit, 4'x 3'x 3'. It was his pride and joy!

[@choimdachoim9491]

I recently replaced our TV because of continual malfunction and disassembled the old one. While watching this video I visually checked the circuit boards and found a 100 volt 3300 micro farad capacitor with a swollen top. A month ago I paid an HVAC company for repairs to our air conditioning which turned out to be replacing a capacitor. I could have saved a lot of money if I'd seen this video earlier.

[@jimmyholden]

thanks for speaking in a language format that is comprehendible

[@zenutomic9754]

This comment is so real

[@DrLoverLover]

Comprehensible

[@Mr2012Febrero]

Fluke 100, I have had mine for 30 years and still kicking butt, Great video bro...!

[@StevenLanzi]

FINALLY a video that explains all of this in easy-to-understand terms for people who don't know or understand everything about electronics!! Thank you!!

[@atlraskalg]

Went through like 5 video. This one by far the most informative and clearer quality

[@darkus2015]

The manner in which you speak is the reason I subscribed. Thanks for the content buddy.

[@johnnydeutschemark3620]

An older electronics repair guy once said, "It's usually the capacitors, always check the capacitors". thanks for this video, I feel like I can start checking now.

[@Robert-jf5oi]

I agree after servicing televisions and failure is more common in the power supply compared to say the lower voltage stages such as tuner colour etc

[@nickbenke3306]

As a young engineer I used to set a multimeter to a 200k+ impedance setting, then I place the probes on the capacitor legs. One way should count up, reverse it and it should count down. Then I know it is working!

[@Eng.abdulbast]

What if count down till gets zero and the other ol

[@razvan6133]

pretty crafty. good idea

[@kokokloa2282]

it will still count down even when the capacitor is leaky.

[@Robert-jf5oi]

Yes as the battery charges the capacitor But in practice the ESR could still be too high with that method without an ESR meter

[@frankjohnson8750]

Yes you know its working as a capacitor BUT at what capacitance?

[@vickikgibson9470]

Tip, when you find out your true focal depth for your camera for closeups, mark that on the table or floor, and don't go past that distance when holding up objects. That way you stay in total focus. :) And I can then SEE what you are pointing to:) Otherwise it is a blurry mess....not fun for you or others. And you are a pro at fixing...we need you!! LOL Anyway, love the videos, and I am learning a lot for an old gal!

[@fitulus]

I subscribed because i forgot to do that when i saw your video's earlier. You are a great teacher even when you may not realize that. I'm doing repairs for couple of years now. I only know my basic stuff of electronics and watching your vid's are still educating me alot. Thanks and greetings from Belgium

[@andrewthompson7867]

I bought a mesr100 tester thanks to your video ,it gave me the confidence to try it ,I have 16 Antminer hash boards to try and reanimate ,I was going to desolder 96 caps just to test them not now and it's .50 cents to check each one and a free tester (useful for hobbyist ,just starting ,like me ) when I've tested them ,YAY. U made my weekend ,Bless ya buddy , I always discharge caps ,great advice ,I put a taser in my pocket once without discharging the caps ! Voltage to the nether regions ! Is a great teacher ,wish I'd watched you first (0; Thanks again .

[@apartmentswales]

Excellent video, what I love is that you have made a CLEAR and Precise Film and a Great and Clear Voice Over, you have definitely Demonstrated your knowledge to others. I am an Electrical Mech Eng and of an age to have forgotten more than most know, but your Film just opened up all those flood gates for me, thank you so much. Mr Spence Eng

[@travised]

Great videos. I appreciate that that you don't assume that people don't know small details when showing videos

[@kkampy4052]

I work in the fire alarm industry. Looking for the end of line resistor in an audio circuit with autoranging is difficult. The circuit is a giant parallel circuit of a capacitor in series with a coil. This creates a giant ringing circuit. Since the probe voltage changes as the range changes, the meter is constantly switching ranges, which changes the voltage, which changes the range etc. Setting a fixed range allows the circuit to stabilize quickly.

[@Kksss239]

I went to subscribe on this video, but appeared I already subscribed your channel. I don't recall when. This proves that's your most contents are informative. Keep it up. Thanks again.

[@jeepin3049]

Thanks for doing this video. I was able to fix my dish receiver. Two bad capacitors. Replaced them and it works fantastic now.

[@scottbarber1795]

My dish 722k used to read the thumb drive that I had some of recordings on. Now it just gives read errors and I don't think the drive is the problem. The internal H/D is about full, which is why I off-loaded onto the T/D. Dish is of no help, they just want me to spend more money. Any ideas?

[@rayjones3212]

Well, well, well. This is the first time I'd seen this type of test equipment in use. And the fact that you explained how it all works AND the proper way to read the results is GREAT! Thanks a lot. Happy New Year.

[@MrRobuz]

I worked as a electronic technician for over 20 years and wish I could of had a capacitor checker like yours. Used the old method measuring the resistance both ways with a analog meter.

[@DayClanTribe]

Just curious Robert, so you can measure them in circuit with that method?

[@Robert-jf5oi]

@@DayClanTribe I have an ESR meter and most of the time you can check the ESR in circuit

[@jariekstrom95]

Milliohm meter is good for checking shorts in capacitors in circuits without removing them

[@hwanglee3330]

Analog multimeter is great too.

[@hwanglee3330]

@@jariekstrom95 how do you check capacitors in circuits?

[@dneitzke]

Excellent presentation, your a great tech, I'm getting back into this after a 20 year gap due to career detour, things have really changed,regardless thank you for sharing your knowledge base.

[@nmnmnnmm]

great channel! I'm working on troubleshooting a microphone preamp and I think I'll get that ESR meter as the unit is over 20 years old. Thanks for your help!

[@TampaTec]

Yep, Capacitors last about 10 years so if your preamp is bad and 10+ years old check the caps. 👍

[@jakeybuttersnip381]

I really enjoy the way you present your topics, great personality for it, very helpful in my own projects, or when my brain is just stuck on ideas I should know already!

[@hughowens-yn1oj]

how good a teacher is Tampa Tec!!! Extremely useful info well explained.

[@TampaTec]

Thank you 🙏

[@metalmogul4691]

Great help for PCB's that are stopping a machine from working. Small capacitors are a small link in the operation of something with all else in perfect shape. Washing machines are thrown away every day with a small electronic issue.

[@fieldsofomagh]

That is one useful Esr meter. Thanks for the demo and God bless your work.

[@vickikgibson9470]

I always wondered what and how this stuff worked...now I do...and a super drawing to make it visual for those of us who learn the best that way! Nice job buddy!!!

[@bilalazizi1]

I am so happy that this channel is growing bigger.

[@abusam1]

this tutorial never gets old😉, I am thinking of getting ESR MESR-100 tester although I a have fluke multimeter, did you come across LCR-ST1 tweezers? I have fluke multimeter I am tring to test capcitor off-board with it same procedure as 6:00 and I am getting OL, tested multiple new ones and the same, I dont have low battery indicator on the screen.🤔

[@TampaTec]

@@abusam1 haven't tried those LCR tweezers. If you're getting ol that means your meter only can read a component value to certain limit. Check your digital multi meter specs sheet and see what values it's limited to. It's always best to discharge and remove the capacitor completely out of circuit when testing.

[@southpark5555]

Totally agree. Having a component like a capacitor that's in-circuit won't necessarily give you information that you're looking for (accurately) when measurements are done on it in-circuit. When it's in circuit, the measurement is going to be affected by whatever is in-circuit.

[@aad602]

0kpp

[@aad602]

😊

[@johnv5718]

Thanks, I bought the msr going to help a lot in the auto computers I work on. Great tutorial!

[@hwally777]

Great video. You're a good teacher.

[@sirajulislam4374]

hwally777

[@Robert-jf5oi]

Yes to a point but you should never teach anyone to discharge capacitors with a dead short such as insulated pliers across it as if you did this in a TV power supply with up to 400Vdc you could cause a lot of damage You might get away with it for smaller low voltage caps as shown in the video but is always advisable to discharge all capacitors with a resistor or even a light bulb and you may even see the light come on for a second.

[@mysteryjesus]

Awesome tutorial, this was a lesson I needed, for which I must say thank you. Now I think I am ready to check the capacitors in my old stereo.

[@mysteryjesus]

Question TampaTec...can you leave the capacitor in the board and still check? That part isn't clear to me as I see that you removed the capacitor, then checked on the board.

[@TooSlowTube]

@@mysteryjesus I think there are cases when you can, and cases when you can't. If a capacitor is wired in parallel with other capacitors, especially large value ones, there's no way you could test it without removing it. That might be the case in the smoothing circuit of a power supply, for example. On the other hand, if you get a very low ESR value for a capacitor in circuit (e.g. less than 0.01 Ohms), and you can check that it's not wired to others, you can be fairly confident that you're actually measuring the ESR fairly accurately, and not some other aspect of the circuit it's in, because most of the other components would measure a lot higher than that. For a measurement that low, it would normally be something like a circuit trace, or a fuse, or a large value capacitor that was healthy. For small value capacitors, there's probably no way to check them without removing them from the circuit first.

[@mysteryjesus]

@@TooSlowTube Thank you for the response!

[@TooSlowTube]

@@mysteryjesus You're welcome.

[@brianpulley1240]

Concise explanation and demonstration, even a complete novice like me can easily follow along. So many tips packed into this one video, including the "pinhole" in a resister comment. I will be replacing a couple resisters now that read good, but have pinholes in them.

[@robv.o.1777]

Had a meeting with an instructor at a local technical institution, AV boards are re-capped every 5 years. The broadcaster has extra units to swap as each board is done😊 I re-capped all of my amplifiers with higher voltage and temperature, for increased headroom. I can over volt them without issues. I would blow up the audio input caps with high output line driver😮 Good plan to change them all, as they are typically designed to only have a 5 year lifespan in circuit. They might work beyond that, but the electrolyte dries out.

[@TampaTec]

Good advice 👍

[@LarryDeSilva64]

I repair old amateur radio tube receivers and the electrolytic Caps are always causing major ac hum and always have to be replaced.. They are always pretty leaky. The newer electrolytic solid state caps are only easy to detect physically when they are swelled up. Thanks again for the great references and the information for checking caps.

[@johnharrison2466]

Old dog new tricks thanks for the video just got me an esr meter seen you had one thanks a million it is 1000% faster to check a board keep up the great work hope you got through the storm alright all good here in Jax !!!!!!

[@kellykeys6092]

The ESR can test a Cap while it is in circuit. Are there any exceptions to that statement? Also, what if you want to measure a capacitor that falls outside the given ESR table? For example, I have a 400volt 80 Farad capacitor in circuit. How would I test that one to make sure it is good using the MESR-100? Or, can it be done at all using this meter? Thanks!

[@imatus235]

Best way to check a cap is to compare measured values to its datasheet parameters, you can find on the internet

[@soundguydon]

Holy cow.. Excellent video, thank you !!! I'm getting that ESR meter -- very much a time-saver !

[@jackblack1218]

Thank you, good review and tutorial. Very helpful. I will be fixing 60 inch TV which were lightning zapped at my client's place. Guess they don't needed and I can use one for living room.

[@normanfrazier5293]

Great video! I have the ESR meter you used. I’ll definitely be watching more of your videos! Cheers!

[@fiificobbina6511]

Hi guy, i have been following your repair series for some time now. I have decided to start a new journey on fixing a faulty tv in my neighbourhood and for that matter I think I can count on you for some coaching steps. Good work done bro.

[@robj7481]

Feeding a frequency into a cap to check its value is referred to as “Xc” or “capacitive reactance” and the formula that the meter is using is 1/ 2 * 3.14 * Frequency * capacitance. This formula gives you its resistance value when an AC signal is applied at a specific frequency.

[@richardduque5168]

Very professional and inspiring. Audible and easy to understand, well educational and impressive. Continue your passion and many will pursue your dynamic approach.

[@giltonzulu9702]

Sir help me with the service code of Ls TV 32" mode sa-3209

[@giltonzulu9702]

Sir help me with the service code of LS TV 32" model sa 3209

[@giltonzulu9702]

Sir help me with the service code of Ls TV 32" model sa 3209

[@stephanreading5639]

Thanks for informing those of us who no what an esr are meter is but not how to use it

[@magniquesada4411]

Your video is so helpful to us, DIYers. Thank you for sharing your knowledge to the world!

[@clivepritchard]

I like the video but I would just point out that the tolerance on most electrolytic caps is +/-20%. So if you chuck them when they are 10% away from stated, they might still actually be OK.

[@mikeshobbiesandrandomstuff]

I bought the fluke 117 from fluke direct and love it! It does both capacitance and resistance for capacitors and has a setting for diodes.

[@BrandonValenzuela-k8p]

Loved the vid bro thanks so much I have 2 old tvs I never thought of fixing until I wanted to resell electronics lol thanks so much man

[@jazzbassmc8043]

I think it's pretty good to talk about electronik tools and how to use it... Thank you!

[@nzeches]

6:15 the 250v don’t “pass through” the capacitor. This is rated voltage across the dielectric material; technically it will not overheat then pop due to voltage, but dielectric will breakdown (at some voltage well above the 250V...) and lose its insulating properties (hence become conductive and burn...) On the other hand excessive ESR will result in heating of the cap, which will further deteriorate the electrolyte and can cause dielectric failure.

[@dzevadcoralic554]

Tampatec you are the best! I m from Slovenija and love to wach you

[@TampaTec]

Dzevad Coralic thanks

[@giltonzulu9702]

@@TampaTec sir help me with the service code of Ls TV model sa 3209

[@reed-xd8zx]

Really nice job explaining the process, thanks!

[@GeneWSmith319]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. I learned some things from this.

[@tommyturrican4634]

Definitely subscribed. You're very thorough, a very smart person.

[@anoopjacob1981]

Thank you sir your video is very clear and informative 👍

[@mackgarrison8657]

LOVE your videos! Simply can't watch enough.

[@TampaTec]

Mack Garrison thanks, which Playlist are you watching TV repairs?

[@pettypavlow8330]

please repair some Apple Cinema displays

[@krissfly]

thanks i got my new esr today will save a lot of time

[@TK42138]

Easy to follow video. Well explained. Useful too since my 32" Samsung tv has a bad cap on the powerboard to the LED connector. The cap didn't split or leak but it has domed up.

[@IREKWWSL]

Hello. Is MESR 100 recommendable for measuring capacitors soldered on the board?

[@dietermontanez6576]

I agree on replacing obviously (visually) scorched components ... cuz they are cheap. But whole boards are different since they are expensive. I almost always got them back to live, just by figuring out the conections and soldering traces back to normal.

[@ionu4535]

One of the Good Guys on You Tube; good def for 'pro bono publico' and TYVM.

[@abujadeepu5666]

Very nice teaching. You have good oratary skills. Thanks a lot for the valuable info.

[@manuelvillanueva3753]

Great video demos.. Two thumbs up!

[@jucknorreyne]

Thank you for sharing your expertise. Your covering of the basics for a novice is very much appreciated.

[@kanchour16]

Man you showing a great 👍 videos and the way how to explain the problems on a tv 📺 and how to find out which part is the problem is the best on you tube well thank you very much wish all the best, and you just earned my subscription.

[@GreyRockOne]

Thanks, so we need both the ESR meter for to check the OHM value AND the Fluke (or similar) to confirm the microfarad? Can we get by with just the ESR meter?

[@TampaTec]

Most techs use multimeter only but ESR is great to be 100% sure if cap is good or bad.

[@GreyRockOne]

Thanks!@@TampaTec

[@BruceNitroxpro]

View Mr Carlson's Lab for an in depth discussion of capacitor failure modes, measurement, etc. ELECTRICAL LEAKAGE is the tell tale mode for failure of old caps. If it's OLD? Replace ALL paper caps and electrolytics. Watch the VOLTAGE ratings because OLD electrolytics are more forgiving... USE HIGHER voltage rated caps now. They don't cost a lot more.

[@paulkibedy5460]

Hello; The capacitor meters you are talking about,also tests other type of capacitors,non polarized

[@numbr6]

Computer Mobo with a bulged cap measuring good with an ESR meter. I didn't replace it. I want to see how long it will take to totally fail. Normally bulged tops also have a high ESR value so that is a definite replacement. Caps by coils and transistors are DC-DC buck converters and always should replace anything that is out of spec for that circuit configuration.

[@95turbostang21]

got my ESR meter from amazon on its way thanks Tampatec for your info...............

[@sparrowsends]

Hi how was your esr was it any good thanks

[@95turbostang21]

@@sparrowsends it works great 3 years and Counting

[@edris356]

Yes...very interested in learning more...I've just subscribed.

[@arconeagain]

Maybe you could have explained for the people why that last one read high in circuit. I understand that high is good. It was in parallel with another capacitor/s. You could confirm this by measuring the adjacent capacitors to see if they give the same reading. Or it could be some other component in parallel exhibiting capacitance.

[@jeffreyMagnum460]

Great info, I'm currently working on a Sunfire True Subwoofer Junior. It looks like it has a bad Cap. Thanks again for the great video.

[@TampaTec]

Congrats fixing your sub.

[@tomluque]

The last measurement of one capacitor seen in a group of three could provide a false positive LOW ESR because if two or more caps are in parallel, you won't see the high ESR of a bad cap because the meter will only show the lowest resistance of a group of capacitors in parallel. Do a continuity check to verify if caps are connected. Fine presentation.

[@svsv9]

I used to work fixing pc's motherboards a long ago, I always wanted one of these ESr meter, in that time they cost a lot. Now when reading your comment I find it would not have worth spent the money. I want to come back to repair again, do you think it would be a good idea get one of those?

[@tonyrink9999]

Great instructional video. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelcandy6283]

Beautiful well done I love it so clear best wishes from Ireland

[@KaivitiSingh]

NOTE: There is NO instrument ever made on this Earth which can "ACCURATELY" measure a capacitor still soldered inside a circuit. This is because other components in the circuit will offer values which affects the actual value of the particular capacitor being measured. You always have to unsolder the component and measure it outside.

[@smart-living6926]

Please tell us more about that tine soldering device & other similar types, thanks.

[@jasonjordan5391]

Love your videos always very informative, keep up the great work 👍👍👍

[@dewinchy]

Thank you, exactly the things I wanted to know. Now my guitar amp will surely soon be fixed...

[@tharkthax3960]

Like all your videos, very helpful. Just fixed a Samsung TV with blown caps and works good now. So thanks for the tutorials! Notice you showed us the blown cap next to new cap, and the new cap was 'chebein' Chinese cap. Do you trust those caps? I'm very dubious about them along with chengx and capxon. Usually use rubycon and Panasonic FR/FM/FC. Keep videos coming.

[@renanteestiola9739]

pretty amazing...you are great teacher, Im Renante Estiola electronic technician from Philippines.

[@joeflanagan354]

Very interesting video and very informative on the subject.

[@maloosecat123]

still one of the best videos in 2024

[@MrDoneboy]

I have three Fluke meters, and I also own the MESR-100 meter as well!

[@stevenl7878]

Great job explaining the use of the ESR and multimeter!

[@saarike]

Nice video! I have also the same ESR-meter, that you have bought and it works well. Someone claimed in youtube, that it won't work, but it work just fine for me.

[@TampaTec]

saarike maybe that guy got a lemon. maybe they didn't "zero" the meter.

[@saarike]

Maybe. :)

[@Fishbone4u]

A new subscriber! Thanks for the detailed walkthrough and for speaking in layman's terms!

[@johngourliemartin2696]

Great Video with no dammed music!! Have you done any work on old Valve amplifiers, such as in the Hammond organs

[@TampaTec]

Only a Valve state amp. We upgraded the tube, cleaned ports and clean bad connections that fixed it.

[@nigelnuj]

@tampatec thank you you’re a fantastic teacher

[@clintonrextech9936]

Nyc one big man.. Vry intrested in Electronics.🔌

[@AnonymousRepair]

You can use an esr meter to pin point a short in circuit, because its a low ohm meter :) great video

[@jameskeough4620]

Good job with the vid. Good info and good pacing.

[@pocdabeno1974]

Greetings, I am trying to repair a Kenwood SW-32HT powered subwoofer. I managed to get it working for a little while and then it stopped. I replaced the 28A1943 and 28C5200 transistors thinking that was the problem, but to no avail. I can hear a relay turning switching on and off every time it receives the audio signal, and the speaker moves and some sound is heard, but then it switches off. There are two large 8200 uf 62v capacitors next to this relay. I tested both of them and they are reading 7200 uf instead of the 8200 uf on the label. Could this be the cause of my issue or do you think it’s something else? Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

[@izzzzzz6]

People say you can swap any same value cap for one with a higher voltage but if you consider that caps of tiny values can have an acceptable esr of 5ohms or more then surely voltage choice becomes more important at these lower values. a 10uf 16V might have a good esr of 8ohms but a 10uf 250V 2.5ohms thats quite a difference in series resistance. at 47uf the difference is more extreme 10V at 2.2 ohms and 250V at 0.8V (acceptable ranges in then chart i have). I might have missed it but did you mention that you can't really read them in circuit when you have caps in parallel.

[@Swenser]

hey, i have the same fluke. its great. the rubber lcd connectors karked it but managed to find them cheap enough to get it back to action.

[@cherokeethunder6000]

Excellent tutorial video!!! Great stuff Tampatec! 😊😉👍🏻