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2.101 Simple condenser tester (Tantal, E-caps)
Circuit 215: Capacitor test with LED indicator
Setup information
Install the diode and the resistor as shown in Fig. 2.215 The two jumper wires come next. The electrolytic
capacitor to be tested is installed at the location shown. Check the placement on the board again and only
then connect the battery.
Experiment
Use this circuit to easily check whether an electrolytic capacitor in the range of 1 uF to 100 μF is working
properly. Install the unknown electrolytic capacitor and watch the behaviour of the red LED. You should
test both polarization directions. If the electrolytic capacitor is reverse biased, the red LED will flash briefly
and then remains off. If forward biased, the red LED is steady lit. This behaviour shows that the capacitor is
working. If the red LED is lit or does not turn on in both test cases, then the electrolytic capacitor is faulty.
Besides electrolytic capacitors, you could also test tantalum capacitors
The circuit diagram for this experiment is shown in Chap. 3, Fig. 3.215.
Circuit 216: Capacitor test with moving-coil instrument
Setup information
Install the resistor as shown in Fig. 2.216 followed by the jumper wire. Last but not least connect the
moving-coil instrument. The electrolytic capacitor to be tested is installed at the location shown. Check the
placement on the board again and only then connect the battery.
240
Components required:
1 x red LED, 1 x 1 kΩ
resistor, 1 x breadboard,
1 x 9V battery with clip
connector
Fig. 2.215: Capacitor test with
LED indicator
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