#155

[@oliverisailovic]

This is a gold value lesson!!! Thank you so much Peter!

[@marclamb8729]

Nice explanations and demonstrations, Peter! I struggled a bit at first, but then it clicked and I was easily able to follow everything. Thank you for taking the time and effort to provide so many excellent teaching videos!

[@TRXLab]

glad that you liked it

[@ovalwingnut]

Fantastic! Part II was the "bees knees".. Very InTeReSTinG. And may I say your ability to describe such a complex subject in English is astounding. We mono-speakers appreciate it immensely. Really enjoyed the cap torture test(s). Thank you. Cheers!

[@TRXLab]

Thank you for your kind words...

[@InssiAjaton]

In my youth, some more advanced engineer advised me about handy shortcuts that I have then been using throughout my career. One applicable to this video is the following: For parallel connections of resistors, you can often estimate the results from the ratio of the two individual values. If you have the 0.159 ohms as in the first example and you add a 159 ohm ( factor of 1,000 larger) your parallel connection becomes about 0.1% smaller than the original 0.159 ohm. Expect the last digit drop by maybe one. If you instead put in parallel a 15.9 ohm resistor (factor of 100), you can expect the combination to become 1% smaller, or you can expect the last digit to drop by one or two. You cannot continue indefinitely, but depending on the accuracy needs, sometimes even a ratio of 10:1 could be used for a real quick and dirty estimate. As an example, 1 ohm paralleled by 10 ohm is 0.90909, while the quick and dirty estimate would suggest 0.9000. Maybe good enough...

[@TRXLab]

Yes that is a very wise short cut. Thanks for comment 73

[@blandp11]

Really good part 1 and part 2! Thanks so much for taking your time and doing this.

[@TRXLab]

Glad that you like it Philip 73

[@PeterMilanovski]

LoL your saying that it's getting a bit long for this video and I'm like oh! Is it finishing already? I always say that it's going to take as long as it needs to! And that's just long enough! Excellent video series...

[@I967]

Excellent demonstration. The big RFT capacitor demonstrated very well that not all old electrolytics need to be replaced, I liked that very much. I wish I could reform and test old Tesla capacitors for leakage like you did. However, my workbench is very modest at the moment and it is very nice to see that I can test capacitor health through ESR. I am saving for a proper LCR meter, right now I only have two AVR transistor testers by Markus Frejek and Karl-Heinz Kübbeler. Thank you for this video.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks feed feed back. Yes it is true not all capacitors needs per se to get swap out ..

[@satellite_guy3768]

Another over the top video. Great going. Lots to learn. Thanks so much

[@TRXLab]

Thank you !!

[@lupojacobo9892]

Very good content channel. Thanks for sharing.

[@AB-yu2tj]

nice, thank you. its about time somebody explains caps in detail. I learn by watching, it would have been great if I could see how you setup those wire to get the mAm draw and every other wire that is connected. thank you.

[@petevannuys5642]

ESR tolerance for ohms is how much percentage points whether good or bad capacitor test out ⁉️

[@QXZASX]

Good stuff sir. I always learn a little something from your videos. Thumbs up.

[@TRXLab]

Glad that you like it and thanks for watching 73

[@redcatimaging]

Nice and as always very good explanations :), even the case with caps in parallel covered (which is an exception). Very funny to see the old RFT caps haha :). Yikes 500kOhm, that is probably the highest ESR I've ever seen :), that thing has turned from a cap into a resistor haha :). Keep up your nice work, love to watch your repair and practical videos :).

[@TRXLab]

Thank you really glad that you like it! On the Vertex Standard restoration I found SMD caps with such an high ESR...

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

Great video, when you first got the kelvin clips you had found bad solder connection in clip from factory , I made mine up after your mod and also found bad connection in clip

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Dennis! Yes the celvin clips are really not good quality but I have fixed the wires now with hot glue...73

[@hernancoronel]

Hi at 30:20 you say “let’s carefully crank it up” but you are not showing what you are using. You do mention an isolation transformer but is that a Variac or something similar? Thank you for the great video, I have seen it at least a couple of times and every run I find something interesting! Keep up the great work!

[@TheDefpom]

Nice demo, I was waiting for you to fire up the MESR meter... (I have both the MESR and DER, I did a video on them about 8 months ago)

[@TRXLab]

Hi there, thanks! Well I'm not so convinced by the MESR. I have found it to give out no reproduceable readings whereby the DER is always spot on.

[@ernestb.2377]

Interested tooic. Thanks for the video. I was wondering if the main features of the capacitor are interrelated and in what way? I, ESR and leakage resistance. I was working on an old Tektronix scope, and needed first to take out the 2 earlier exploded RIFA capacitors. After that the scope worked just fine. I replaced one of them, that I had in the box. Then I was going through the calibration procedure. You need to check/measure (and maybe adjust) quite some voltages. There is actually 1 main reference voltage of 10.0V that needs to be adjusted, the other voltages follow. Anyway, doing that I have also measured the ripple. Everything was quite good. My doubt was if I needed to swap the electrolytic capacitors too. That would be a quite some job. So my way of thinking was: if very little to none ripple capacitance must be good. Maybe the other performance aspects are good too? I know that in time, everything is getting deteriorated, and that it would be smart thing to do to swap also the capacitors, but maybe the scope have not worked so many hours in his life and maybe it is good enough to work now and then in the future. Who knows. Of course nobody 😀 but that is my doubt. To be or not to be, (I mean to swap or not to swap prevention).... Once again, the point / question would be the interrelated effects. So if no ripple thus capacitance still good, thus low ESR and leakage? For how long, okay, nobody knows.

[@vintageav]

Thank you for your very concise explanation of this subject! In the case of the old silver Electrolytic, will its ESR and capacitance values change after spending time in the reforming process?

[@TRXLab]

If the reforming process was successful, yes.

[@vintageav]

@@TRXLab thank you, sir!

[@maicon7777777]

Great video thanks! So the MESR100 you have back there , why you don't use it? I have seen tons of video and I still don't know what device I have to buy to check capacitors !

[@TRXLab]

Thanks. The MESR100 turned out to be not reliable as test values are not reproduce able.

[@maicon7777777]

@@TRXLab I boght one :( , so I wasted my money on it ... is not easy to find a great cap tester.

[@TheRadioShop]

Great series Peter. Thanks for sharing.

[@TRXLab]

Thank you my friend. Hope you are alright 73

[@edinfific2576]

Even though 0.12Ω is acceptable for a 470μF capacitor, according to that table, I would also replace it in a switching regulator circuit because a good new low-ESR capacitor of 100μF has about that much resistance at just 1kHz.

[@fichambawelby2632]

Excellent videos about caps measure. And nice demos, too!. I have a question for you: I use several LCR meters, and one of them is exactly the same you use here. Also, I have kelvin clips, but not in use for this meter. I can see in your video that you modified the box and connect inside the kelvin clips. Could you explain exactly how to do it, please?. This is because when I opened the box I saw 6 connection points in a PCB (the original crocodile clips which came with the meter use a very short piece of coax cable, each with a common shield and 2 live wires). Thanks for sharing your experience, and thanks also in advance for the kelvins connection method.

[@TRXLab]

Reference is video #87

[@fichambawelby2632]

@@TRXLab Danke!

[@fritzj6803]

Great tutorial. You can also test the resistance or microhenries of the inductors with the esr meter. The reactance formula is 2𝛑FL. That would be 2 x 3.14 x frequency of esr meter which is 100 kHz x 100 (uH) Just plug it in to get the reading. R=0.628 X L(uH) L(uH)=R(ohms)/0.628

[@LeoBercoff]

Isn't it necessary, especially for high voltage capacitors, to test them applying that voltage (100-400 v)? I mean, does ESR change? Thanks.

[@TRXLab]

Yes, for a full test it needs to do capacitance value, ESR and leakage current. Most of the time ESR is an early indicator but for itself as said only an indicator...

[@TeacherBrunoOneil]

Are you from Sweden ? Denmark ? Very Scandinavian English accent. I know that because I lived in Sweden for a while. You guys have problems to say (with a ) , you say whistle instead. It’s funny. Your video content is worth it. Have you realized how accurate your lcr meter is ? It’s a pity this model has triple the price in less than 5 years. Today I would recommend buying a cheap oscilloscope with signal generation rather than this lcr meter. :-)

[@abeleski]

have you seen how many different ESR tables there is? why do you think the one you are using is the correct one? values from one to another range considerably.

[@TRXLab]

I never said that this one is the correct one! It is an indication only real values are lower. Watch my video #83 there you get all the infos where to get accurate values for impedances.

[@additudeobx]

Thanks for the video, interesting and thorough. It may be a long video to some, but I didn't notice it was long. I do have a couple of questions please. 1. There are a lot of variances between different ESR tables. How accurate do you feel the one you use is and why? 2. With LCR and ESR equipment, manufacturers suggest shortest possible test lead length. I see you have longer leads and that you have double cable or paralleled cabled them. Is this suitable? Why? Thanks for your time.

[@ChriFux]

He uses a 4 wire kelvin measurement technique with shielded cables, so the cable length shoud not matter that much. especially if you calibrate the meter before measuring

[@Max27653]

Can you use any kind of cable for the Kelvin clips or is a certain type needed? Wondering because you're using a double one (i mean where the wires are next to each other)

[@rynax009]

So you've mentioned most of the capacitor manufactures test the caps at 100KHZ, then why at the video 14:10 you used 120HZ to test the cap on the LCR meter? Why not use higher frequency like 1K or 10K? What frequency does the multimeter use when testing a capacitor? It seems when the testing frequency increase, the result of capacitance will decrease, as well as the ESR result. So does this mean the multi-meter is using less than 120HZ to test the cap because the capacitance result on the multimeter is much higher.

[@Todestelzer]

Vincent Yue because he wanted to know the capacity and not the ESR value. The higher the frequency is the lower the capacity. When you test a capacitor with a Multimeter you test it with no frequency at all for example.

[@alfredneumann4692]

An old capacitor is an old capacitor. It is dry and will be dry for the future. There is no way to change this with reforming. And you will have no information, how long the capacitor will work after this procedure. The lesson in the first video was awesome.

[@TRXLab]

Hi Alfred, you are right an old cap is an old cap and I don't prefer to use old caps but as we already discussed in the other post it always depends on what the owner want. So several times I have done on special request the reforming job and if you are doing it right I can confirm the the outcome is quite amazing. A reforming job with perfect result means that leakage current is in its rated values and only if you are able to achieve the wanted value you can use the cap. Under all other circumstances simply change the defective component to a brand new one. Conclusion is that there are cases where it makes sense and where it works. But in one point you you are right, you never no how long a reforming job will finally last.

[@alfredneumann4692]

Thanks for your answer. 73

[@KB1UIF]

Interesting video thank you. I would have liked to see you safely discharge that capacitor, after your test.

[@rogeronslow1498]

I wonder where you got that table of ESR values.

[@gizzzmonic]

polarity?

[@nikoladivic2786]

Thank you Robert !!!! Best regards Nikola

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for watching Nikola....but I'm not Robert... :^) Cheers

[@saarike]

Nice and exciting!

[@TRXLab]

Thank you 73

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks Peter. I always use my insolation tester. BTW, the big 350V cap is out of capacitance. 10 of 40 is 25%, not 20%. But the cap seemed to be fine so maybe the extra capacitance is ok.

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for watching Robert! Yes you are right it is not 20% but it is an old cap produced under different test methods so no problem...you right it is fine.. 73

[@davidbusch3176]

Hi Peter - excellent videos thanks, highly instructive. Being new to ESR, I am just wondering if you happened to have measured the voltage applied by the DE5000 when testing ESR in circuit? Saw some comment elsewhere that the voltage may be high enough to trigger semiconductor junctions, thereby interfering with the ESR reading. Versus ESR70 which Peak is claiming only 40 mV. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. 73

[@TRXLab]

Never had issues with the DER and I know the voltage is low bat can't tell you the values right now...

[@TeacherBrunoOneil]

Hello there , if you need something to trigger semi conductors you could use those tv leds tester they have on eBay . It goes up to 320 volts and the current can be set to high and low. I don’t remember the values but they won’t burn anything. The low is Mili volts. I used it with zener diodes and transistor that neither the analog nor the digital multimeter can measure. ( low voltage ).

[@TeacherBrunoOneil]

As for your question, remember when you are measuring inductance and capacitance , the frequency is what matters. De-5000 is a signal generator with a microcontroller - the voltage is low as well as the current but the frequency can be set from 100hz to 100khz, which is enough for a variety of different applications. You should see it on the oscilloscope. But today I’d recommend you to buy one of those 200 dollar oscilloscope from aliexpress that comes with a signal generator, you will have a better tool to work with if you have the electronic background knowledge. This lcr meter is more practical but limited and the current price is so high. Not a good budget for the time being.

[@technology520]

Hello.Trx Bench Thank you for your beautiful videos.Are you telling Esr meter that you will recommend me?Which device should I buy? The price is between 50 and 80 $.

[@TRXLab]

Hi Olgun. The one I'm using here is value for money so I really can recommend it

[@helmuthrendl6560]

Danke für das Video. Was hältst du von der Messung mit dem Komponententester eines Oszilloskop?

[@TRXLab]

Hallo Helmuth, den Komponententester nehme ich um Halbleiter in der Schaltung beaurteilen zu können, darüberhinaus kann man recht wenig damit machen, da zu ungenau. 73

[@larryk4mu240]

Hi Peter, well done again! Great series. It’s always fun to test and prove or disprove what we read and what we are told about capacitors, other parts, and test equipment. Where do you find the time? :>) 73

[@TRXLab]

Thank you Larry!! LOL where do I find the time well simply I have no time so I can't find it haha... no serious it really takes a lot of efforts. Always glad if guys like you see it. 73

[@lww3988]

Thanks! 😀

[@MrDoneboy]

He got it from the MESR Meter, which is actually, quite correct, most of the time!

[@nikoladivic2786]

Please, put some more time this tabele , that we have take some photos for us .tnx

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

You can find it here: www.tpub.com/celec/54.htm. The first one is for Tantalums, the second one is for electrolytics.

[@jhorieboif5016]

good work

[@TRXLab]

Thank you 73

[@pa4tim]

Nice tests but one thing is a bit a pitty, why not use a cap from which you have the real specs and use those. If you use the specs from a Panasonic FM then all new FR caps would be considered dead and many caps other brands too. But now you only use one of the many and all different, tables so you still do not really know if things are good. By the way, a cap that is deadshort can have a very low ESR ;-) The DER EE is a very good LCR meter, that is, I have the IET DE5000 version and that is after all those years still spoton (as a reference I have standard caps, inductors and resistors ). I do not think there is something wrong with your kelvin clips. I think they are not suited for capacitance measurements or you did not calibrate the setup. You cannot switch for this kind of measurements from kelvin clips to tweezers or to nothing without doing the recalibration routine. At 42;00 you measure Rp, that is not the ESR.

[@nikoladivic2786]

Thank you, very nice !!!!!!

[@TRXLab]

Thanks for watching 73

[@ed-jf3xh]

Doesn't ESR depend on the materials the capacitor is made from? I agree, you need the published values from the vendor. Also, why test such a high value capacitor at 100khz? Seems a bit high for such a large cap.

[@TRXLab]

Yes the ESR depends as well on material and size of the cap among other criteria s. You can test a cap literally with any frequency you want but what would the test result tell you if you have no reference??

[@ed-jf3xh]

With the vendor's data you have a reference. And remembering that higher test frequencies yield lower ESR values, it become important to consider the intended use. Thanks for your reply and keep up the good work.

[@Hanske0]

Hello, where can we find this big nice tabel? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWG1nKt8lN50ptU and this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWG1nKt8lN50ptU thank you

[@johndk9jc354]

@32:35 Warning Mister Carlson Style. :-) 73s

[@TRXLab]

LOL well John if that is the only complaint no problem haha 73

[@grzesiek1x]

why do people say that it is a japanese product when if you check the company DER EE it is a Taiwanese company...

[@TRXLab]

you tell me

[@野田文佳]

@@TRXLab The DE-5000 is an LCR meter designed by Akizuki-Denshi, a shop in Akihabara, Japan, and manufactured by Der EE. This is why it is called "Made in Japan".

[@rlmillr]

good video except - working on something else with a live 350 volts exposed is not a good practice. When high voltage is present all attention should be on high voltage. 1850 volts at 2 am taught me that.

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

He is a expert tech and knows what he is doing, always pay attention what your doing and you will be safe

[@rlmillr]

No offense meant by any means, he is excellent which I why I watch all in order to earn my golden screwdriver :) although I have been trying for 35 years. Your last statement is all I was saying. IMHO making 2 separate tests divides your attention. Watching him replace that iPhone chip humbles me :)

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

I was saying, "Peter, don't forget you have 350 volts on that cap!" I'm with you - I would have shut the voltage down to that cap and discharged it before messing with something else. Murphy's Law can sneak up on anyone...

[@HighestRank]

Speed 5/4, you’re welcome.

[@HTCGT1963]

A+++

[@TRXLab]

Thanks 73

[@tlrptg]

it's quite simple: when in doubt, put in a new capacitor. no measurement is 100% accurate.

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Being new is no guarantee. I check new caps also before I use them.

[@PeterMilanovski]

New capacitors that have been sitting around waiting to be used will go into a coma! If you don't check them before they are installed... Depending upon where they are installed, on first fire up they might want to wake up slowly but if they are receiving full rated voltage and a lot of current, they won't have time to dissipate the internal heat build up and fail, usually exploding! If you follow this method from this video, even with brand new capacitors that have just arrived, because you don't know how long they have been sitting around waiting for you to purchase them, you will run into trouble! And not knowing this, you will just blame the supplier when it's not their fault! You just happened to be that person who ordered a type of capacitor that doesn't sell as fast as other types so it's most likely gone into a coma. There's nothing wrong with it, this is what happens when they are not used! It's also the same reason why you can purchase electronic equipment from a seller who says that it was working before he put it in storage! He might have even plugged it in to test if it still works but not long enough for the capacitors to explode! Then you finally receive it, and even though you know that it's been in storage, you just plug it in and turn it on! A few moments later something inside explodes! WTF? Then you open it and it's a complete mess inside, but he said that he tested it? It doesn't work! I'm going to complain! But what you should have done is put it on a Variac and bring up the voltage a few volts at a time, checking the capacitors for high temperature! This way, you slowly bring them back to life and they should work just as they did before it went into storage! Same thing happened to my parents who had an expensive Panasonic TV that they kept in their formal lounge and only ever went there when guests would visit, which was not very often, my mother would unplug the TV from the wall socket because to her, it's using power for nothing. Then one day after a long time sitting around doing nothing, they had guests over, they plugged in the TV and it wasn't long after they turned it on when something exploded inside and scared the shit out of them! It cost them more to get it fixed than what it cost to leave it on standby! But not everyone knows this and not everyone will tell you this! LoL what do you think would happen if someone came into your bedroom while you are sleeping and started screaming and running around like crazy? You too would probably explode! If you are older, you would probably die! So I'm not saying that you should keep the original capacitors, but instead I'm saying that it's important to check both old and new and do it slowly the first time and you will never have a problem! I really hope that this helps, the old saying of oh! I will just throw in brand new capacitors doesn't always work! You can still run into problems if you don't take the correct steps...

[@paulisham5669]

Directions written in Chinese. I've never used mine.

[@pa3deeghztv302]

Leads from China

[@TRXLab]

yes but working again.

[@pa3deeghztv302]

Nice video

[@paulisham5669]

Useless meter, the instructions are written in Chinese. I've never used mine.