There is something good about esr meter because besides electrolytic capacitor it can be use to measure other type of capacitors such as the non polarity capacitor. From esr meter specification, it is usually mentioned only checking the electrolytic type. When i began to experiment with the Dick Smith ESR Meter i found that it have the capabilities to check other type of capacitors as well.

However it is limited to checking capacitor in the higher value only such as .1uf(104), .22uf(224), 1uf(105) and etc. Lower capacitance value don’t get any reading from the esr meter due to it can only read until 99 ohms. Perhaps other esr meter such as the B & K esr meter have the range to check it.

You will even be surprised to see that the dick smith esr meter can check the non-polarity capacitor in-circuit (without removing the cap).

True case example-Monitor came in with display jumping horizontally. You can see a bunch of horizontal black lines across the top display (picture). From experienced it will tell you that vertical section have problem. I begin to troubleshoot the vertical section. Supply voltage checked ok, vertical driver and oscillator IC replaced, all components connected or nearby vertical driver and oscillator ic have been checked ok. By the way I used digital oximeter capacitance meter to check the non-polarity cap and esr meter to check the electrolytic cap. The problem is still there and can’t be solve!

When i use Dick Smith ESR Meter to compare the esr value of a non-polarity capacitor located near the vertical driver ic, i noticed that there is a big different in the esr value. The good esr value for a .22uf non-polarity cap is between 6.5 to 7 ohm but the spoilt one have a value of 14 ohm! Almost double the value, that’s why the display jump. The good thing is i discovered the culprit while the capacitor still in the circuit which mean this esr meter can check non-polarity cap in-circuit. However my recommendation for you is to solder out one leg and check unless you already have the experienced in checking components on board. Replacing the cap solved the display problem.

Conclusion-In order to accurately test a non-polarity capacitor, besides checking the capacitance value and using analog meter to check the charge and discharge to see if it has develop any short circuit when under load, you are also required to check the esr value as well.

ESR meters there is something good because besides electrolytic capacitor can be used for other types of capacitors as the capacitor polarity to measure. ESR meters from the specification, it is usually mentioned only checking the electrolytic type. When I started to experiment with the Dick Smith ESR meters have discovered the possibility of other types of capacitors to control too much. It was limited to ensuring the capacitor with the higher value only if, UF 1 (104) .22 UF (224), 1UF (105), and low capacitance, etc. Don 't get a reading of the meter because the ESA can only read up to 99 ohms. ESR meters perhaps others, like the B & K meters ESR set to control. You will be surprised to see that even the Dick Smith ESR meter from the non-polarity capacitor check-circuit (without removing the cap). example real case-Monitor came with another leap horizontally. Can a lot of black horizontal lines on the upper display (photo). From experience will tell you that some have vertical problems. I begin to troubleshoot the vertical section. Controlled feeding ok, vertical oscillation driver IC and replace all components connected to or close to vertical oscillation driver IC and checked ok. From the way I used digital oximeter skillsMao when I Dick Smith ESR Meter the value of ESR of a non-polarity capacitor located close to vertical compared Driver IC, I noticed there is another great value ESR. The value of ESR good for a non-CAP, 22 UF polarity between 6,5-7 Ohm ruined, but a value of 14 ohms! Almost twice the value, that 's because the jump screen. The good thing is I found the culprit, while the capacitor in the circuit that still do that ESR meters can not be verified polarity cap in-circuit. But my recommendation to you is to settle on one leg and control, unless it occurred in the control of the components on board. Replacing the screen issue solved coverage. Conclusion-In order to accurately test a non-polarity capacitor, in addition to controlling the capacitance value and use of analog meters on the charge and discharge test to see if they develop a short circuit when under load, we are kept the value of ESR and control.