17
IN-CIRCUIT CAPACITOR TESTING
The LC103 dynamically tests and measures capacitors
greater than 0.002 uF in-circuit for value and greater
than 0.02uF for value and ESR. Two checks for parallel
components that may upset the measurements are also
performed. If either of these parallel component checks
fails the LC103 will display a SUGGEST REMOVAL
message. Both a basic test and an automatic EIA
GOOD/BAD test can be performed.
Fig. 12: Controls used for in-circuit capacitor test.
When performing the basic test, the LC103 will give a
GOOD??/BAD??/SUGGEST REMOVAL indication.
The question marks are included because without
knowing the component type, value, tolerance, and rated
voltage the LC103 cannot determine if the
measurements are within specifications.
———————— WARNING —————————
Always remove AC power from the circuit when
performing any of the LC103’s In-Circuit test
functions. Failure to do so may result in a shock
hazard and damage to the test instrument.
————————
ATTENTION
————————
Toujours retirer la prise secteur lorsque vous faites
des tests dans le circuit. Si cela n’est pas realize,
l’utilisateur peut recevoir des chocs électriques et
l’équipement peut être endommagé.
Value and ESR Testing
To perform the basic in-circuit capacitor test:
1.
Remove power from the circuit.
2.
Connect the in-circuit test probe to the LC103.
3.
Zero the test probe.
4.
Adjust probe width to the capacitor under test.
5.
Touch the probe tips to the capacitor leads.
6.
Press and hold the IN-CIRCUIT CAPACITOR TEST
button and read the value and ESR (if the value is
greater than 0.02 uF) results in the COMPONENT
TEST RESULTS display.
Note: The TEST ACTIVATION button on the probe can
be used if a capacitor COMPONENT TYPE is selected.
Automatic EIA GOOD/BAD Testing
To perform the automatic EIA GOOD/BAD test, simply
enter the capacitors value, tolerance, and voltage rating.
When the LC103 returns a GOOD reading that capacitor
under test is good. If the display shows BAD, the
capacitor should be replaced. If SUGEEST REMOVAL
is displayed, the capacitor should be removed from the
circuit to be tested.
To perform the automatic EIA GOOD/BAD in-
circuit capacitor test:
1.
Connect and zero the test probe.
2.
Enter the COMPONENT TYPE, rated VALUE,
TOLERANCE, and VOLTAGE.
3.
Connect to the capacitor under test.
4.
Press and hold the TEST ACTIVATION button on
the probe or the IN-CIRCUIT CAPACITOR TEST
button on the front panel. When using the TEST
ACTIVATION button on the probe, wait for the short
beep to sound, release the button, and read the
display.
5.
Read the VALUE and ESR (if the value is greater
than 0.02 uF) measurements on the
MEASUREMENT display along with the
GOOD/BAD indication.
SUGGEST REMOVAL Indication
The LC103 may display SUGGEST REMOVAL along
with the value and ESR readings. This indicates that the
parallel component tests have determined that there is a
component that has altered the capacitor measurements.
Remove the capacitor to test it more accurately.
IMPORTANT
Do not hold in the CAPACITOR GOOD/BAD button
or Adjustable in-Circuit Test Probe switch while
connecting to an In-Circuit capacitor. The
LC103circuitry may be damaged because capacitor
discharge protection is lost.
COMPONENT TYPE
NUMERIC INPUT
ENTER
IN-CIRCUIT
COMPONENT PARAMETERS
COMPONENT TESTS
ALUMINUM
LYTICS
DOUBLE
LAYER
LYTICS
HIGH R
DOUBLE
LAYER
1
2
3
4
pF
μ
F
F
CAPACITOR
GOOD/BAD
+ %
- %
V
5
6
7
8
ALL
OTHER
CAPS
TANTALUM
CAPS
CERAMIC
CAPS
