How Do You Test A Capacitor Using An Ohmmeter?
In a pinch, you can check capacitors with a simple ohmmeter. The ohmmeter supplies a voltage and can indirectly measure the flow of current into a good capacitor. Depending on the capacitor’s value, the ohmmeter needle will drop to zero briefly, then swing back up. If the meter gives no indication, or if it reads a dead short across the capacitor, replace it. Discharge the capacitor by touching the shaft of the screwdriver to both capacitor leads at the same time. This will ensure that the capacitor has no residual voltage before you test. Examine the capacitor. If it’s an electrolytic or tantalum type, it will have a polarity mark, plus or minus. If you see this, note the capacitor’s polarity. In the next step, you will use the ohmmeter. If the capacitor is polarized, match the ohmmeter’s positive (red) and black (negative) leads to the positive and negative leads of the capacitor. If the capacitor has no polarity, the ohmmeter’s polarity won’t matter. Set the ohmmeter to a middling r
