⭐ Measurement of Capacitor ESR and Resonance Frequency with a VNA (Vector Network Analyzer)

In this video I describe how to measure capacitor ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) and resonance frequency using a vector network analyzer. I show my homemade fixture, describe in detail how the measurements are made, demonstrate several examples, and show how to convert the S21 measurement to ESR. Any VNA that covers 100KHz to 1GHz can be used.

A printable version of the S21 to ESR conversion graph: http://chrisgrossman.com/yt/0012/VNA_...

A printable S21 to ESR conversion table: http://chrisgrossman.com/yt/0012/VNA_...

Here are the view graphs (including extra measurement examples) in pdf format: http://chrisgrossman.com/yt/0012/Shun...

Measuring Capacitor Parameters Using Vector Network Analyzers - An Electronics paper by Deniss Stepins, Gundars Asmanis, and Aivis Asmanis, describing full two port parameter measurement of capacitors . It claims the small inductance in series with the input and output ports only cause a small error: https://electronics.etfbl.net/journal...

Make Accurate Impedance Measurements Using a VNA - A Microwaves and RF article by Brian Walker of Copper Mountain Technologies describing component measurement techniques, their component measurement fixture, and their VNAs: http://www.clarke.com.au/pdf/CMT_Accu...

The sources of the ubiquitous white dog hair:
  / goberianblue  
  / goberiananika  
https://www.flickr.com/photos/divewiz...

Although I am a beta tester for Siglent SVA firmware, I receive no compensation. The Siglent test gear I own was bought and paid for with my money. I even paid for the VNA option on the SVA1015X which is now included for free.