How Do You Safely Discharge A Capacitor?
Capacitors come in many sizes and can be found in a wide variety of electrical devices. Their sole purpose is to store energy for a temporary period of time, but if they are removed from the power source, they can actually hold on to that charge for an indefinite amount of time. A charged capacitor can be extremely dangerous to handle. Mishandling of one can cause an accidental electrocution or potential power surges that can damage expensive equipment. If you have a project or job that requires you to remove or replace an existing low-voltage (120 volts and below) capacitor, you need to safely discharge it before attempting to move it. Here’s how to do it safely. Unplug or disconnect the power to whichever piece of equipment you are working on. Put on your eye protection and gloves. Locate the capacitor and disconnect it from its power source. This is usually accomplished by pulling off the rubber cap on the top of the capacitor. Take the screwdriver and use its tip to bridge the gap
