03-01-2014, 08:39 AM
The ESR and low resistance one is more useful IMHO. I have never measured ESR: I just change electros and waxies. But my low resistance meter is used a lot, I test switches with it all the time. I never put one back unless it has measured low and stable dozens of times on the meter. Also good for coils of low L and Ohms. This meter also measures C and L so really useful.
I have an Insulation Tester and used it a lot. Not just for caps, although its always interesting to measure a few waxies. What I have started doing is measuring micas (C value as well of course): something we don't change out. Seen many reports of bad ones now starting to show. Had one recently and it measured 100M Ohms: good you say. It certainly wouldn't have caused a problem but I was suspicious and changed it and broke it apart. The outer plates were bonded to cardboard and I reckon it was that. Also it was marked Micamould and many of those above a certain value are wax paper !!
What should a good mica be: I have never measured one that was less than G Ohms at hundreds of volts.
Gary
I have an Insulation Tester and used it a lot. Not just for caps, although its always interesting to measure a few waxies. What I have started doing is measuring micas (C value as well of course): something we don't change out. Seen many reports of bad ones now starting to show. Had one recently and it measured 100M Ohms: good you say. It certainly wouldn't have caused a problem but I was suspicious and changed it and broke it apart. The outer plates were bonded to cardboard and I reckon it was that. Also it was marked Micamould and many of those above a certain value are wax paper !!
What should a good mica be: I have never measured one that was less than G Ohms at hundreds of volts.
Gary
