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Smart Tweezers? Do They Work?

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    #1

    Smart Tweezers? Do They Work?

    I'm looking at getting a set of "smart tweezers" to test capacitors without removing them from the board. However, I was always told the only way to test a cap was that you had to remove them from the board first.

    I'm looking at one of these from eBay. Smart Tweezer

    My question is, do they work as advertised? Will I be able to test smd caps onboard or should they still be removed to test to make sure they are not faulty?

    I don't wanna get by my ignorance.

    Thanks in advance.
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Smart Tweezers? Do They Work?

    If there are other components connected in parallel with the cap which will be the load, and if there are other caps connected in parallel, then you cannot tell which cap is bad.
    Always remove the cap or any components off the board to test.
    Never stop learning
    Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

    Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

    Inverter testing using old CFL:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

    Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
    http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

    TV Factory reset codes listing:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

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      #3
      Re: Smart Tweezers? Do They Work?

      The ebay listed auction item doesn't test ESR either.
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        #4
        Re: Smart Tweezers? Do They Work?

        I have the SmartTweezer ST5S. Excellent on MLCC's and tantalums and SMD parts.
        They work really good, but (presently) the limit on measuring capacitance is to 999uF. They are doing a firmware update so range may get better.
        They can get confused in "Auto" mode if the circuit has resistance or diodes, put it in Manual mode to get your reading or pull out the part.

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Smart Tweezers? Do They Work?

          Thank you for the replies, I really appreciate it. I'm going to hold off for now then on smart tweezers as I'm not doing enough TV work to offset that kind of cost, but I'm glad to hear the ST5S work well.

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Smart Tweezers? Do They Work?

            i just hold the meter probes like chopsticks!

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Smart Tweezers? Do They Work?

              ive bought a cheap small tweezer (20€ ship included), and they are ok with resistor, but for capacitor if they are soldered im unable to read them properly....

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