CAP ANALYZER 88A

• Introduction • Cap Analyser Comparison • User Comments • Equivalent Series Resistance
	->Introduction to Cap Analyser 88A Series II Check any Electrolytic Capacitor "in-circuit" with 100% accuracy in 3 seconds-Guaranteed! *Solving problems cause electrolytics has never been easier, now that you can locate these bad capacitors easily without having to unsolder them, and without spending time troubleshooting, by using the Cap Analyzer 88.

As a cap ages, it can cause problems in the particular circuit it is in. In a TV vertical section, it can cause 
underscan or overscan problems. In audio or mpx circuits it can cause distortion or low audio. In the syscon 
supply it can cause intermittent functions and mpu confusion. In the video circuits it can cause a fully scrambled 
picture. In VCR or camcorder servo circuits, it can cause unstable speeds. Most VCRs and big screens 
also use surface mounted electrolytics in the sound MPX decoder module and video PIP and convergence circuits. 
High-end audio and computer products use tantalum capacitors that can become leaky by as much as 500 ohms. 

Measuring a cap in circuit is more difficult than  measuring a resistor, because circuit resistance and capacitance
can affect readings. Some "capacitor checkers" claim to work in circuit, but they give such erroneous readings 
you have to unsolder and re-measure each cap out of circuit anyway. Some of the most expensive LCR meters 
will not measure capacitors accurately in circuit. Some meters measure the capacitance at two different
frequencies, and show it as two different readings! 

The trick to locating bad capacitors in circuit is not just to measure capacity, but instead, to measure Equivalent
Series Resistance (ESR) and DC Resistance (DCR) in relation to capacitance. A perfect capacitor will measure as 
an open circuit at DC, and will show less AC resistance as the frequency across it increases. Most cheap cap 
meters utilize this fact by measuring a cap's impedance at a fixed frequency such as 1 KHz and translating the 
reading to capacity. In reality, checking a cap at 1KHz is pointless because in TVs, computer monitors, and PWM
power supplies, frequencies of 100 KHz and higher are used. The CapAnalyzer 88 was the first device that would
measure both DCR and ESR automatically.       

The currently available CapAnalyzer 88A adds improvements and new features, with more DCR range. It is a 
battery-saving quick ESR test mode, InstaESR , that bypasses the DCR test for the quickest  ESR-only test, and 
the DCR set alert has been increased from 50 ohms to 500 ohms for testing smd tantalum caps. 

Other ESR meters have their limitations; they don't check DCR for leaky or shorted caps and you must discharge
each cap before testing, or risk damage to the meter. Their test probes add their own capacitance, and readings 
vary depending on the position that the probes are held. Also, these meters usually don't use a frequency high 
enough to isolate the specific capacitor to be tested. 

The CapAnalyzer 88A uses a test frequency higher than the others, automatically discharges the cap under test, 
checks and displays ESR on a 20 segment LED bar scale, and beeps from one to five beeps depending on the ESR 
condition of the cap. both DCR and ESR measurements are made at levels that isolate the cap under test from 
the rest of the circuitry. Because it checks DCR first, it will alert the technician immediately if the cap or anything 
else in that circuit is shorted or leaky, before it checks ESR. Range covers just about any electrolytic or tantalum 
capacitor you will come across, from 0.47uF to 2200uF. 

CapAnalyzer 88A includes a low-capacitance one-handed tweezer test probe for accuracy and ease-of-use. 
Because it is microprocessor controlled, it has more features and is much more accurate than the older 
meter-movement designs. A three-color chart on the front panel shows typical ESR readings of good and bad 
caps in relation to their capacitance. Portability and battery operation make it ideal for repairs on site, eliminating
a double service call and valuable technical travel time. An AC adapter is available for continuous use on your 
bench.

So make your job easier, and get your own Cap Analyzer 88A. No other test equipment on your bench will make 
you a hero.

It comes with 3 years limited warranty.

 
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-> Comparison Between Cap Analyzer 88A &  Other ESR Meters

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-> Cap Analyzer 88A User Comments

" Thank you very much for coming out with a product that rescued me from every TV Repairman's worst 
nightmare. CAP ANALYZER 88A came through and through, in circuit, out of circuit... I am thankful for a product 
of that caliber now I can do away with the CAPACITOR WIZARD... THANK YOU, AGAIN. Keep up the good work."
- Bill from Alberta, Canada

" Thank you for a really fine product. We receive our EDS88A capacitor checker today. I had a circuit board from an obsolete converter and almost all the electrolytics and was very impressed with the quality and functionally of the unit. I am sure this unit will definitely help us in our repairs of cable converters. " - Time Warner Cable, Bakerfield, CA.

" I did believe it, even when I read the reviews by the other shops, but I ordered it and is the best thing since Pepsi Cola. I fixed two dogs the first day" - Video TV And Appliance, Tarboro, NC

" This is the best piece of test equipment I ever bought for capacitors " - TV Doctor, Glen Burnie, MD

" I've been using the Sencore Z meter I had a dog TV and no schematic, and I had given up... when my Cap Analyzer came in, I tried it and found 3 bad caps; it paid for half its cost " - Saxton Electronic, Postdam, NY

" My Cap Analyzer is easier to use and more efficient than my Sencore LC102. I most like the combination of features and small package size " - Adirondack Electronic Service, Ft. Edward, NY

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-> Equivalent Series Resistance

What is ESR?
ESR is the sum of all internal resistance of a capacitor measured in ohms. ESR is a dynamic quantity and must be measure with an AC test signal. Where there is no significant capacitance reactance. ESR is the AC resistance of a capacitor. ESR of a capacitor is affected by construction techniques, dielectric properties, frequency of operation and temperature. An ideal capacitor has zero ohms ESR.

Why should I use an ESR Capacitor Tester?
Standard capacitance tester miss about 20% of all bad capacitors, even out of circuit. Normally, those bad capacitors have high ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance). If you do not test for ESR, you will always miss bad capacitors! Overlooking bad capacitors reduces reliability and can lead to time consuming tough dog repairs, normally found by capacitors in circuit that are missed by normal inexpensive capacitor testers.

Why Test For ESR?
Standard capacitors meters require removing the part from the circuit. Worse yet, capacitor testers that only measure capacitance can lead a technician into believing that a bad capacitor is good! ESR capacitor tester won't make that mistake. If a capacitor is bad, who cares what the actual capacitance is. Change it. Since ESR is dependent upon the capacitor's dielectric material and the construction techniques, even slight defects in a capacitor's operation can be detected by measuring ESR. Most capacitor failure modes cause an increase in ESR. Capacitors frequently measure the proper capacitance on a standard capacitance meter, yet have high ESR. With high ESR, capacitors will not function as intented. If you don't check for ESR, you may be in for a tough dog repair. High ESR is the first sign of capacitor failure.

What are the effect of high ESR?
High ESR will cause complete circuit failure, overheating of capacitors, loading of the circuit, the overstressing of other circuit components and other undesirable effects. High ESR is a significant problem in today's sophisticated solid state switching power supplies and CRT deflection circuit. Even 1 or 2 ohms rise in ESR can cause big problems.

What is good and bad ESR?
Capacitor of the same value in AC vary widely in ESR depending upon the type of material the capacitor is made with and how it is constructed. Bad open capacitors always measure near infinity and are simple to locate. ESR in the green charts generally signified a good capacitor. Be aware that modern solid-state circuits such as switching power supply require low ESR capacitors. With a little experience, the user can quickly learn the differences between a good capacitor and a bad one.

Is ESR a new capacitor characteristic?
No. However in the past capacitor manufacturers have refer to low ESR in different ways: high AC current carrying capability, low ripple voltage, high ripple current capabilities, low dissipation factors, high Q, or low power factor. Each of these quantities infer low ESR. Capacitor manufacturers are beginning to publish standardized ESR specs in their product information.

What are marginal capacitors?
Marginal capacitors measure from the yellow chart need to be compared to a known good capacitor of the same type, value, and voltage rating until you become familiar with the ESR tester. You will find that the marginal capacitors can cause all kinds of tough dog problem. They often test goods on a standard capacitance tester, yet the high ESR causes them to fail.

Be aware to the circuit you are working on.
A low-quality general purpose capacitor in an audio may measure marginal, or even high (maybe 6 ohms or more), and yet may be perfectly acceptable as a low-power audio coupling capacitor. That the same cap would be unacceptable in a switching application. With experience you will quickly learn the difference between a good marginal cap and a bad one. When in doubt, compare it to a known good cap until you have gained more experience.

What occupations can benefit from using the ESR meter?
Computer monitor repair, printer repair, switching power supply repair, TV repair, Air conditioning and Refrigeration, medical Electronics, Electric motor repair to name a few.

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