[SOLVED] Circuit design to test capacitor.

[ShuKosugi]

Hello...really appreciate someone can share me a circuit design that can electrically test and detect faulty capacitor (beside ESR meter or any capacitor meter).
Using function generator and oscilloscope can be fine...thanks

 

[Kripton2035]

**broken link removed**

 

[BradtheRad]

I like this oscillator circuit because the capacitor's characteristics are the chief factor, and they are easy to observe.

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Hmmm... Now I notice the capacitor has a negative charge for half the cycle. This may not be good for electrolytics.

 

[ShuKosugi]

Thanks to both of you BradtheRad. Thanks also Kripton2035, I will find time to explore your link. I would like circuit design that can test also polarized capacitors...Am still open for any suggestions...thanks.

 

[Warpspeed]

If you have an oscilloscope, Brad's oscillator is a pretty simple method for mid range non polarised capacitor values.

Something like a 555 timer will work better with very large polarised electrolytics.

For much smaller values you can use your function generator with a known reference inductor to find the resonant frequency by exiting it with your function generator.

Very different methods are needed for testing say 100pF, 1uF or 10,000uF.