The AADE meter is not terribly useful for everyday capacitance
measurements, it's more for HF component work.
Instead use a low frequency meter, like a handheld multimeter with
capacitance range. They will work fine for SMD caps even with standard
test leads. Of course at some point the lead capacitance will be a
factor, for very small values.
ST
On Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 1:29 PM, Sz G <the6hu8b@...> wrote:
> Hey Ken,
>
> Most probably you know exactly what you're doing, so excuse me for this question in advance. I just wanted to ask if you tried to check those little bastards in the immediate vicinity of the meter or on (longer than, let's say, an inch long) leads, as in the latter case, your readout will be definitely affected by that, especially when dealing with devices as small as a 0805.
>
> HTH.
>
> Gabor
>
> ________________________________
> From: sailingto <sailingtoo@...>
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sat, March 6, 2010 3:52:25 AM
> Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: SMD caps - no marking - why?
>
>
> That was one of the BIG reasons I purchased a L/C meter IIB by AADE (Almost All Digital Electronics) was to check SMD chips. Problem is, it just doesn't do SMD caps very well - does leaded caps just fine, but SMD... not so good.
>
> I have talked to the guy who say "Send it back for calibration" , I've got to get that done.
>
> Thanks for all the info - sounds like there is no real reason other than "they don't do it".
>
> Ken H>
>
>> If you're going to deal with capacitors and resistors, at the least,
>> you need a pair of tweezers that connect to your DMM.
>>
>> Better would be a self contained meter. They range from moderately
>> expensive (with less features) to very expensive (with lots of
>> features).
>>
>> Harvey
>>
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