Effects of High ESR

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  • capamatic
    Member
    • Apr 2006
    • 33

    #1

    Effects of High ESR

    Hi,
    My electronics background is fairly good, but I wonder if you can clarify something for me.
    A failing electrolytic capacitor will cause operational failure, complete or partial, in its particular circuit. In relation to a capacitor whose ESR is too great, how exactly will this increased resistance cause failure of the circuit. It clearly will limit the current, but what effect would this have on the circuit. Is the reduced current the primary reason for circuit failure ? What other effects will high ESR have ?
    Many thanks.
  • linuxguru
    Badcaps Legend
    • Apr 2005
    • 1564

    #2
    Re: Effects of High ESR

    In a PSU/VRM, it will probably increase the ripple voltage, causing the peaks to go dangerously high and causing circuits that depend on regulated voltage to fail. This is most commonly seen with CPUs, Northbridges and Hard drives.

    Comment

    • PeteS in CA
      Badcaps Legend
      • Aug 2005
      • 3579
      • USA, Unsure of Planet

      #3
      Re: Effects of High ESR

      Another effect will be that the voltage will dip out of regulation with a large, fast increase in load. You get a large (I)(R) drop when the current is coming from the cap(s) and the regulator hasn't yet responded.
      PeteS in CA

      Power Supplies should be boring: No loud noises, no bright flashes, and no bad smells.
      ****************************
      To kill personal responsibility, initiative or success, punish it by taxing it. To encourage irresponsibility, improvidence, dependence and failure, reward it by subsidizing it.
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      • gonzo0815
        Badcaps Legend
        • Feb 2006
        • 1600

        #4
        Re: Effects of High ESR

        ...and then the regulator will overshoot. Another concern is, that the caps will getting hot as the high currents flowing over it. Thus it degrade faster.
        In most cases, the ripple will just makes the singals diminishing into noise, wich makes the system slower if it can correct transmision data, or it will running foobar if the signals are too distorted.

        Comment

        • bgavin
          Badcaps Legend
          • Jan 2007
          • 1355

          #5
          Re: Effects of High ESR

          Here is a good PSU article on ESR and the Intel VRM spec

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