Goober
05-07-2011, 10:47 AM
Can one completley test a capacitor with only a bog standard multimeter?
I don't ever remember being taught how to test a capacitor. Unless its obviously blown apart, short citcuited (using ohm tester) or burned out I've never for certain known if its faulty by using a multimeter. IF in doubt I always used my Hermetic Compressor tester or just replaced the suspect Cap. I know some multimeters today have a Cap test function, but I'm talking about a bog standard meter I would have used.
I do remember somewhere someone telling me that if the ohms resistance rises steadily when metered acros the terminals that the Cap was ok. Another more doubtfull test was to put a live and neutral onto termianls and flick the power to the cap, then do the old short out the terminals to check if Cap discharges......not even sure if that last test is real?
Can anyone shed some light on this long to murky bit in my knowledge.
Just talking about hermetic compressor and fan motor Caps here...is there any other?
Stevo
I don't ever remember being taught how to test a capacitor. Unless its obviously blown apart, short citcuited (using ohm tester) or burned out I've never for certain known if its faulty by using a multimeter. IF in doubt I always used my Hermetic Compressor tester or just replaced the suspect Cap. I know some multimeters today have a Cap test function, but I'm talking about a bog standard meter I would have used.
I do remember somewhere someone telling me that if the ohms resistance rises steadily when metered acros the terminals that the Cap was ok. Another more doubtfull test was to put a live and neutral onto termianls and flick the power to the cap, then do the old short out the terminals to check if Cap discharges......not even sure if that last test is real?
Can anyone shed some light on this long to murky bit in my knowledge.
Just talking about hermetic compressor and fan motor Caps here...is there any other?
Stevo