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 ESR 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.
Page 3
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 connection to the unit.
To allow the self-protection mechanism to function, always ensure that the Atlas ESR has completed any analysis before connecting 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 the Atlas ESR and invalidation of the manufacturer's warranty.
Page 4
Atlas ESR User Guide
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.
February 2008 – Rev 4
ESR
C
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.
Capacitor manufacturers typically quote the ESR of their products at 100kHz, which is the same test frequency used by the Atlas ESR.
Page 5
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