FAQ? Can I test loose capacitors with a DVM?

[lkvee]

I didn't find an answer in the FAQ here. I skimmed the USENET FAQs but didn't find documentation that directly answered my question.

I'm thinking about the capacitors I've plucked out of boards, where replacing them with capacitors with similar specs (same capacitance, and the same or higher voltage, and the same ESR) failed to improve/repair/resolve the behavior.

I'd be grateful for any feedback!

Thanks for reading!

[severach]

Re: FAQ? Can I test loose capacitors with a DVM?

[/url=http://www.anatekcorp.com/testequipment/meters.htm]Anatek Meters[/url]

You can measure small capacitance values with a DVM that has a capacitance scale. The range is too small for most of the capacitors you will want to measure. A cap meter that goes to 20,000uf or 20mf is sufficient. Search eBay for "capa* (multi*,meter)".

ESR testing is more definitive and can often be done without removing the capacitor minimizing unnecessary pulling of good caps. I like the Dick Smith based Anatek Blue with the pointy probes.

The Atlas ESR60 tests both but isn't as easy to use.

None of these meters test voltage breakdown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiQCNlex3aE

I'm anxiously waiting until some pacific engineer figures out that $0.001 of chips and one setting on the dial and every meter could be an ESR meter.