An ESR Meter for High Frequencies

This paper presents a laboratory method that can be used to determine the intrinsic value of the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of electrolytic capacitors. One of the most critical problems of switch mode DC-DC converter designers is the ESR, which introduces a high A.C. component in the output voltage. Thus, the knowledge of this value at the converter operating conditions is fundamental to predict the output response of the converter. To validate this technique some experimental and simulated results are presented.