34
APPLICATIONS
INTRODUCTION
The procedures explained in the OPERATION section
of this manual explain how to use the LC103 ReZolver.
Once you become familiar with the basic operation of
the ReZolver, you will discover many additional
applications of the unit. This section will provide you
with further information on using the LC103 features for
extended capacitor and inductor tests, as well as other
special applications.
IDENTIFYING CAPACITOR TYPES
Capacitors are often grouped according to the kind of
dielectric that is used to separate the plates, and are
named accordingly. For example, an aluminum
electrolytic capacitor has an aluminum oxide dielectric,
while a mylar capacitor uses mylar dielectric. (Refer to
the APPENDIX for an explanation of dielectric and
other capacitor theory).
Many different types of capacitors are used in
electronics. Each type has certain properties that make it
better suited for particular applications. Properties such
as temperature coefficient, ESR, dielectric absorption,
leakage, voltage break down, and frequency
characteristics are taken into account when selecting the
capacitor type to be used. When troubleshooting a
circuit, it is not important to know why a certain type of
capacitor was selected. It is best to simply replace a bad
capacitor with a good capacitor of the same type value
and voltage rating. This is especially true when the
component is in a “Safety Critical” circuit. Because
different capacitor types have different characteristics, it
is important that you know what type of capacitor you
are testing in order to know if the LC103 test results are
acceptable or not.
Capacitors are divided into five different types for
testing with the LC103. Each has different parameters
which require different GOOD/BAD limits. These five
capacitor types have different physical characteristics to
determine an unknown capacitor type. These
characteristics are explained in the following paragraphs
and are summarized in Figure 20.
Fig. 20: Each capacitor type may be identified by its unique physical characteristics.
Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
–
+
-
+
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•• • • • • • • • • • •• •
• • • • • • • • • •
• ••
•
•
•
•
•
•
Double Layer Electrolytic Capacitors
(Typically much smaller physically than similar
value Aluminum Lytics. Value usually marked
in F.)
+ Polarity Indicator
– Polarity Indicator
+
–
Tantalum Capacitors
+ Polarity Indicator
+ Polarity Indicator
+
Longest Lead
is positive
Round corner
ind lead
No rounded
corners, long
lead is positive
Ceramic Capacitors
+
•
•
•
•
•
•
••
••
••
• • • • •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• • • •
