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US 4,267,503 AGranted
Method and instrument for testing the operating characteristics of a capacitor
OwnerMarlin D. Westrainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Dielectric absorption in a capacitor is detected by making a first measurement of the capacitance of the capacitor, then charging the capacitor to its rated voltage, then discharging the capacitor, and then promptly making a second measurement of the capacitance of the capacitor. If the second measurement indicates a capacitance value less than that indicated by the first measurement, the capacitor exhibits dielectric absorption.
Claims5
A method of determining if a capacitor has dielectric absorption, comprising the steps of
- measuring the capacitance of said capacitor,
- charging said capacitor to approximately its rated voltage, then
- discharging said capacitor, then
- again measuring the capacitance of said capacitor, and
- comparing the capacitance values indicated by said steps of measuring.
2 more elements
A instrument for determining if a capacitor under test exhibits dielectric absorption, comprising
- first circuit means for measuring and displaying the capacitance of a capacitor connected in circuit therewith,
- second circuit means for applying a rectified a.c. voltage across a capacitor connected in circuit therewith,
- switch means for connecting said capacitor under test in circuit with a selected one of said first and second circuit means, and means for discharging said capacitor when it is disconnected from said first circuit means,
- whereby a determination of whether said capacitor under test exhibits dielectric absorption can be made by operating said switch means to connect said capacitor in circuit with said first circuit means to measure the capacitance thereof, then operating said switch means to connect said capacitor in circuit with said second circuit means, then operating said switch means to discharge said capacitor, and then operating said switch means again to connect said capacitor in circuit with said first switch means, whereby a decrease in the measured value of capacitance between the first and second measurements provides an indication that said capacitor exhibits dielectric absorption.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.