Velleman ESR70 User Manual
Atlas ESR
Capacitance and Equivalent Series Resistance Meter
Model ESR60 (Enhanced)
User Guide
© Peak Electronic Design Limited 2004/2008
In the interests of development, information in this guide is subject to change without notice - E&OE
electronic design ltd
Atlas ESR User Guide February 2008 – Rev 4
Want to use it now?
We understand that you want to use your Atlas ESR right
now. The unit is ready to go and you should have little need
to refer to this user guide, but please make sure that you do
at least take a look at the notices on page 4!
Contents Page
Introduction .........................................................................3
Safety Considerations ..........................................................4
Notes on ESR.......................................................................5
Analysing capacitors........................................................ 6-7
Typical values of ESR .........................................................8
Probe Compensation............................................................9
Care of your Atlas ESR......................................................10
Appendix A – Troubleshooting .........................................11
Appendix B – Technical Specifications.............................12
Appendix C – Warranty Information.................................13
Appendix D – Disposal Information..................................14
Page 2
Atlas ESR User Guide February 2008 – Rev 4
Introduction
The Atlas E SR is an advanced instrument designed specifically
for the analysis of capacitor equivalent series resistance (in or
out of circuit). In addition it will, where possible, display the
capacitance of the device under test.
Summary Features:
• ESR measurement range 0 to 20Ω.
• ESR resolution as low as 0.01Ω
• Capacitance range 1µF…22mF (22,000µF).
• Can be used for low-ohms resistance checking too.
• Built-in protection circuitry means risk of damage to the
unit due to residual charge is greatly reduced.
• Integrated controlled discharge circuitry reduces the need
for the user to manually discharge capacitors before test.*
• Use in or out of circuit for ESR measurement.
• Automatic and manual power-off.
* Note:
The discharge circuitry exists to ensure that a charged capacitor
is less likely to damage the unit. For example, if the capacitor
under test has a potential of a few tens of volts across it, the
charge is removed automatically.
It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that any dangerously
charged capacitors are safely discharged before connection to
the unit.
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Atlas ESR User Guide February 2008 – Rev 4
Safety Considerations
WARNING:
This instrument must NEVER be connected to powered
equipment/components.
It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that any dangerously
charged capacitors are safely discharged before con nection
to the unit.
To allow the self-protection mechanism to function, always
ensure that the Atlas ESR has completed any analysis
before co nnecting the test probes to a component.
Failure to comply with these warnings may result in
personal injury, damage to the equipment under test,
damage to t he Atlas ESR and invalidation of the
manufacturer's warranty.
Page 4
Atlas ESR User Guide February 2008 – Rev 4
Notes on ESR
ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance),
as it’s acronym implies, is the value
of resistance that is effectively in
series with an ideal capacitor.
No capacitor is ideal of course, the detailed equivalent circuit of a typical
capacitor is very complex. For many electrolytic capacitors however, the most
important parameters regarding the capacitor’s performance is the capacitance
and the ESR.
An increase in ESR (due to age, abuse or temperature cycling) can result in
poor capacitor performance. The capacitor becomes less “ideal” and starts to
dissipate more power, an ideal capacitor of course dissipates zero power.
ESR
C
Capacitor manufacturers typically quote the ESR of their products at 100kHz,
which is the same test frequency used by the Atlas ESR.
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