Let's talk tolerance

BuddytheReow

BuddytheReow

Moderator
Not really a discussion, but more of a "light bulb" moment. We know nearly all our components come with some sort of tolerance (1%, 10%, 20%, etc.) Nearly every component I test comes in on the low side of tolerance rather than above. For example, if I were to test a 470p capacitor they would always come back on my TC-1 as 440p, 460p, etc. VERY RARELY, for me at least, do they come higher when tested (i.e 480p, 500p).

Do you all have similar experience?
 
BuddytheReow said:
Good call. Let me try recalibrating. I completely forgot about that! It's probably been a year or two since that...
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I have no idea how much/often it should be done. I do know, well, have seen, extremely small value cap measurements aren't all that accurate if it measures at all
I'll typically use my fluke or piggy back the smaller cap with one that's larger. I.e., if I need to measure a 10pf, I'll measure a 100pf then measure the two combined and deduct the measurement of the 100pf.
 
Interesting. I feel like that matches what my TC1 has been measuring. But I never calibrated it! Now I have to try that out.
 
I've noticed the same thing, Buddy.
Rarely does a component ever come ABOVE the targeted spec and that was with the TC-1 calibrated.
Happens once in a while, but very rarely.


Nonetheless, it's time to recalibrate my TC-1, too. Thanks @jwin615 for the reminder and the tip on measuring small caps; typically I have trouble measuring anything 30p or less (if memory serves correctly).
 
I wonder if they're sitting so long in less than ideal conditions that they are derating? I could definitely see proper stock rotation not being a huge concern at a place like tayda. And some caps sitting 30-40ft up on pallet racking in a non temperature controlled facility for a few years.
 
For resistors and film caps it seems like they are usually pretty close. Electrolytics always seem a bit low and MLCC seem like they are either close or a little low. I have a TC-1 and DE-5000. On the DE the frequency can be changed and when you increase it the capacitance typically goes down.
 
I have not seen that. I test every component (just to be sure my eyes aren't playing tricks on me) and have results over and below. Have you checked the battery voltage?
 
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