ESR / C Tester
A versatile meter for capacitors
Materials
Gerber file
CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.
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Extra info / Update
Readers are advised that an FAQ on the ESR/C Meter is available in our online Forum.
Component list
R1-R4 = 56
R5-R8, R24 = 2k2
R9, R10, R15, R16, R25, R26, R28, R29 = 10k
R11-R14 = 1M 1%
R17 = 8M2
R18 = 7k85
R19 = 120
R20,R21 = 1k
R22 = 82k
R23 = 47
R27 = 220
R30 = 180
P1 = 100k 10-turn preset
P2 = 1M 10-turn preset
P3 = 1k 10-turn preset
P4 = 200 10-turn preset
P5 = 25k preset
P6 = 100k 10-turn preset
Capacitors:
C1 = 1nF
C2 = 47nF
C3 = 22pF
C4 = 27pF
C5 = 10µF 16V radial
C6 = 220nF
C7, C8, C9, C12-C17 = 100nF, lead pitch 5mm
C10, C11 = 10µF 16V radial
Semiconductors:
D1 = zener diode 5V6 500mW
D2-D5 = 1N4007
IC1 = PIC16F877-20/P, programmed, Publishers order code 040259-41*
IC2 = PIC16F84A-20/P, programmed, Publishers order code 040259-42*
IC3 = 74HC4066
IC4 = ICL7660
IC5 = TLC555
IC6 = 78L05
IC7 = LF412CP
T1 = BC557
Miscellaneous:
Bz1 = AC (passive) piezo buzzer
S1 = switch, 2 changeover contacts
S2 = switch, 1 make contact
K1 = LCD module, 2x16 characters (e.g., Digikey # 153-1078-ND)
X1 = 20MHz quartz crystal
2 wander sockets for banana plug
Measurement cable
Enclosure, e.g., SERPAC H75 (Digikey # SRH75-9VB-BD)
PCB, Publishers order code 040259-1
Source- and hex-code files, Publishers order code 040259-11
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