ESR / C Tester

A versatile meter for capacitors

The two most important properties of a capacitor are its capacitance and its internal resistance (ESR). You need to know both values in order to judge whether a capacitor is suitable for a particular application. The meter described here combines two popular Elektor Electronics projects to create a convenient new instrument that rightly belongs in every well-equipped electronics lab.

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Materials

040259-PCB.pdf

040259-11.zip

Gerber file

CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.

Elektor recommends the Elektor PCB Service service from its business partner Eurocircuits or AISLER as the best services for its own prototypes and volume production.

The use of our Gerber files is provided under a modified Creative Commons license. Creative Commons offers authors, scientists, educators and other creatives the freedom to handle their copyright in a more free way without losing their ownership.

PCB

Download Gerber file: 040259-1.zip

Extra info / Update

Resistor R10 is shown as 1 k? in the circuit diagram and 10 k? in the parts list. The latter value is correct, although not critical in this application.
Readers are advised that an FAQ on the ESR/C Meter is available in our online Forum.

Component list

Resistors:
R1-R4 = 56
R5-R8, R24 = 2k2
R9, R10, R15, R16, R25, R26, R28, R29 = 10k
R11-R14 = 1M 1%
R17 = 8M2
R18 = 7k85
R19 = 120
R20,R21 = 1k
R22 = 82k
R23 = 47
R27 = 220
R30 = 180
P1 = 100k 10-turn preset
P2 = 1M 10-turn preset
P3 = 1k 10-turn preset
P4 = 200 10-turn preset
P5 = 25k preset
P6 = 100k 10-turn preset
Capacitors:
C1 = 1nF
C2 = 47nF
C3 = 22pF
C4 = 27pF
C5 = 10µF 16V radial
C6 = 220nF
C7, C8, C9, C12-C17 = 100nF, lead pitch 5mm
C10, C11 = 10µF 16V radial
Semiconductors:
D1 = zener diode 5V6 500mW
D2-D5 = 1N4007
IC1 = PIC16F877-20/P, programmed, Publishers order code 040259-41*
IC2 = PIC16F84A-20/P, programmed, Publishers order code 040259-42*
IC3 = 74HC4066
IC4 = ICL7660
IC5 = TLC555
IC6 = 78L05
IC7 = LF412CP
T1 = BC557
Miscellaneous:
Bz1 = AC (passive) piezo buzzer
S1 = switch, 2 changeover contacts
S2 = switch, 1 make contact
K1 = LCD module, 2x16 characters (e.g., Digikey # 153-1078-ND)
X1 = 20MHz quartz crystal
2 wander sockets for banana plug
Measurement cable
Enclosure, e.g., SERPAC H75 (Digikey # SRH75-9VB-BD)
PCB, Publishers order code 040259-1
Source- and hex-code files, Publishers order code 040259-11