Capacitor testing

[fxdwg]

Is there a way to test the capacitor and if so how do you do it?


tia

[DTW1086@cox.net]

Yep, you can do it if you have an analog ohm meter. Touch the meter leads to the terminals and the needle should go up and rapidly fall back. reverse the leads and repeat, it should go up and back each time you reverse the leads. This only lets you know whether or not it is good but not if it has the right capacitance. For that you need a capacitor tester.

[fxdwg]

Thanks!

[Old Hardware]

To supplement what Dave has mentioned.

The capacitor needs to be free from the circuit, one or both leads removed.

On Ohms, there is a small battery used to measure resistance within the meter. This small battery, usually 1-1/2 volts, "charges" the plates of the capacitor relative to the connection, + or -. And, the rate of charging (speed of the needle going up or down when reversed) is relative to both the size of the capacitor, and, the "R" setting of the ohmmeter, ie., RX1, RX10...

This test is only usable (visable) on the larger capacitors listed in mfd, say 10 mfd or greater.