Steps To Test A Capacitor
Like the other electrical components, the capacitors too are susceptible to energy dissipation. With time, the capacitors lose their electric charges and become inefficient. Hence, the bad or discharged capacitors need to be replaced accordingly.
Most homeowners throw out the capacitors without apprehending whether they’re actually bad or not. It is not a healthy practice to dispose the capacitors that are in usable form. To determine whether a capacitor is usable or not, carry out the required testing.
Bring in a capacitor tester to check the element for electric charges. Due to the fact that capacitors always carry some stored charges, they must be handled carefully. Hence, follow the necessary precautions to avoid electric shocks from the capacitors.
Carefully, detach the capacitor from its affiliated setup. Don’t take the capacitor straight in your hand as that could lead to an electric shock. Grab a screwdriver and a voltage tester. Probe the terminals of the capacitor with the tester to detect any current in the component. In case of charged capacitor, touch the metal terminals of the capacitor with a screwdriver. Make sure that the handle of the screwdriver is well insulated. The head of the screwdriver discharges the power of the capacitor.
Once you’ve dissociated the affected capacitor from its associated electrical fixture then arrange for a full-fledged test of the capacitor. To do so, purchase or rent a capacitor testing device. Plug the cord of the device into the outlet and switch it on. Adjust the selector to the ‘ohm’ scale to determine the resistance of the capacitor.
Bring the leads of the tester together and touch their leading ends to each other. Alter the reading on the meter in such a way that the needle points to zero when the probes are touched to each other. If the resulting observation deters from the zero mark then adjust the wheel on the meter. A ‘zero’ reading ensures the sound working state of the concerned apparatus.
Connect the red and black probes of the meter to the left and right terminals of the capacitor, respectively. The resulting deviations in the needle of the scale would determine the condition of the capacitor.
If the needle deflects to the right side and returns to infinity then the capacitor holds some charge. If however the needle veers towards the right and doesn’t return back to infinity then the capacitor is considered shorted out or bad.
Scott Rodgers is a noted writer who has been authoring on electricians contents for a long time now. His exemplary guidance has given motivation to a host of workers, ranging from Kingston Electricians to Newton Electricians.
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