Genie and wizard ESR Meters?

[Michael]

Hello,
I'm about to buy a genie or wizard ESR meter and I was wondering if they can
be used to test SMD capacitors?

Any other tips for testing SMD capacitors of unknown value would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Michael.

 

[Arfa Daily]

I have a Genie ESR meter which I have used daily, in anger, for several
years. I prefer it to the Wizard, which a couple of colleagues use, for its
quick response, and unambiguous digital readout. It also auto zeros, and
auto scales. Oh yeah, and it's also a third the price ... It can be used to
test surface mount caps as well as ordinary ' leaded ' types, but only
electrolytics, of course. ESR is not a factor with other types of capacitor.
About the only thing which I would say is that surface mount electrolytics
tend not to give the same sort of readings as leaded types of the same
value. A surface mount cap may give an ESR reading of twice that of a
similar value and rated leaded type.

Also, an ESR meter will not tell you anything about the value of an
unknown - you need a capacitance meter for that. I'm surprised that you are
coming across electrolytics - either SM or leaded, which are ' unknown ' as
even the smallest SM types are still plenty big enough to have their value
and rating printed on.

Geoff

 

[Michael]

Thanks for a quick response.

To tell you the truth, I dont know much about SMD technology. I dont think
the SMDs im having issues with are electrolytic, so I guess they're a no go
for the ESR tester.

I still need it for 'big' electrolytics, but I'll need to find a better way
to test those SMD's. Best I can manage now is to test them (in circuit) for
shorts with a DMM. Theres just too many to test out of circuit and their
values are unknown. Is there any other testing method I could use?

Thanks again.

Michael.

 

[Arfa Daily]

Hmm. Not a lot really. I have to say that in general, SM caps of the usual '
ceramic brick ' type are pretty reliable. I have had them short, and I have
had them leaky, but it's rare. Their value is pretty stable in general.
Probably, the commonest problem with them, is open circuit, due either to
body cracking, or end cap detachment, or solder joint cracking. This appears
to be caused, in most cases, by bad board handling / excess flexing.

If you get a Genie, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Geoff