ESR Meter vs Multimeter (Which to use, 2024)

In electronics, we use a lot of measuring instruments. One of the tools is a multimeter and ESR meter.

A multimeter is a kind of fundamental device while ESR is geared more toward circuit repair tasks. So, in a quick summary, a multimeter is a must have while ESR is best when you want to test capacitors inside the circuit board.

A multimeter with a capacitance feature can’t be used for in circuit capacitor tester. You definitely need an ESR meter for this.

Now, it is not that simple. In the rest of the article, I explain in detail about the ESR meter vs multimeter.

At the end of this article, you will be able to know:

What is an ESR meter and multimeter
Explanation of ESR meter VS multimeter
Differences between ESR meter and multimeter
Where do we use an ESR meter and where do we use a multimeter

Sounds interesting? Then I am sure you will enjoy the rest of this article as well.

Let’s get started.

ESR meter vs multimeter

If you are an electronics lover and don’t have a budget issue. Buy both an ESR meter and a digital multimeter. You would need both as you would progress in your projects.

Let’s first talk about these guys individually, and then we will see their major differences.

Multimeter

Let’s first talk about one of the fundamental electronic measuring devices called the multimeter. This device is must have for everyone.

A multimeter is a device we use for the measurements of the following various quantities. Not just that we also use a multimeter for various circuit troubleshooting purposes as well.

Voltage and current measurement
Resistance measurements
Diode test
Continuity test
Transistor beta measurements, and pin configuration identifier
Frequency measurements
Temperature measurements

The cost of a multimeter increases with these additional measurements. But if you want them as per project requirements you can certainly have them in your single multimeter.

ESR Meter

The ESR meter is a simple device that helps us measure the ESR value of a capacitor

Why ESR meter?

When it comes to capacitors in circuit testing we need to measure the capacitor ESR value rather than the capacitance value.

ESR stands for equivalent series resistance.

ESR value helps us to test a capacitor on the circuit board directly.

What happens to a bad capacitor is that its ESR value changes. The change in ESR is totally helpful when determining with 100% sure if the capacitor is bad or good.

So you can now see that the ESR value is more about testing the capacitor rather than measuring its capacitance value.

How do we measure the ESR value?

The answer is simple.

To measure ESR value you need to have a decent ESR meter.

Differences between LCR meter and Multimeter

Both the LCR and multimeter are measuring devices. This is for sure. But they are completely different tools designed for different sets of measurements.

Let’s see.

Voltage & Current measurements

For measuring voltages and current ESR meter is not the right tool. For these measurements, you would need a decent multimeter.

Voltage and current can be constant and alternating. No matter what the nature of the quantities, a digital multimeter is needed to measure them accurately.

Resistance measurements

Resistance measurement is common in both meters. You can use an ESR meter for measuring resistance as well as a digital multimeter.

The difference is ESR can measure low resistance up to 100Ohm. While a multimeter can measure much bigger resistances.

Continuity test

We do a continuity test to find out any open or disconnected nodes in our circuits. This feature is very useful in circuit analysis and troubleshooting.

If you will be working with PCB boards and want to know if the PCB trances are well connected. Then a multimeter would be the tool you would need.

This feature is so useful for component testing as well. ESR meters don’t have this feature, so keep this in mind.

Diode and transistor testing

Diodes and transistors are electronic components that are used in almost every electronic circuit. Now in old circuits, we need to test them if the circuit is not working properly.

Or when are we working on a new circuit we need to find the pin configuration of these components. To help with the above mentioned situation, we are required to have a decent digital multimeter in our labs.

ESR meter cannot help us with testing a diode or transistor.

Relay and fuse testing

Similarly, for relay and fuse testing, a multimeter is the go tool. We can not use the ESR meter here. Because to test a relay we require a continuity feature. Which is available only in a digital multimeter.

Capacitance and Inductance measurements

Some multimeters do have these features. I mean some multimeters are able to measure the capacitance of capacitors.

But you know capacitance value alone can be used for capacitor testing. The capacitance value is useful for matching and value verification.

But in a circuit, if the capacitor is soldered. We cannot measure its capacitance. Because it is connected to other components. And the multimeter gives us an equivalent value rather than the actual value of its capacitance.

In such a situation, the multimeter fails, and we need a new tool, called the ESR meter.

Measuring the ESR value.

By using a multimeter, we can measure the capacitance value. But to test a capacitor inside a circuit, we need to measure its ESR value.

This ESR value helps us determine if the capacitor is bad or good.

A bad capacitor has its ESR drifted from its provided value by the manufacturer.

For example, we have a capacitor of 47uF @ 25V with an ESR value 0.2Ohm. Then a bad capacitor would have an ESR value of 0.5 or above.

Best buying options

Now there are a lot of options available on the market. You can do some online searches, and you will find a lot of meters. Choose the one that you like.

But…

In my experience following are the best LCR and ESR meters that I have found over the years.

Conclusion

Both the multimeter and ESR meter are measuring devices. Multimeter measures voltages, current, and resistance. While the ESR meter measures the ESR value of a given capacitor.

ESR is best for in circuit capacitor testing while a multimeter is best for all the major measurements.

In summary, you require both these meters in your lab. Because you will need to measure the voltage as well as capacitors if you are working with electronic circuit boards (old or new).

Alright!

Well…

That is it. That is all I have for you about the ESR meter Vs multimeter. I hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you and have a grateful life.