Tweakers' Asylum

• RE: How to use a multimeter to measure a capacitor or resistor - Uncle Mike 17:05:22 10/20/09 (3)
  In Reply to: RE: How to use a multimeter to measure a capacitor or resistor posted by Ron Oehlert on October 20, 2009 at 14:53:17

  "Inexpensive multimeters will likely not have Capacitance measurement capability, but should have Resistance settings (several ranges, select the range that suits the part being measured)."
  
  Your looking for the OHM setting on your meter looks like an upside down horseshoe, actually the Greek letter Omega.
  
  "To check resistors, power to the device being measured must be OFF, place either probe (makes no differance with this particular measurement) on one side of the resistor & the other probe on the other side, view the meter display. Compare result to value & tolerance as marked on resistor (often via color bands which require decipher). Be certain other circut pathways are not in parallel with the part being measured or false readings will result. ."
  
  If you need to check a resistor or cap in line you will probably have to lift one end. This will insure your not reading through the rest of the circuit. You will only be able to tell if a cap is shorted or open though. Normally a good cap will read a very high resistance. You'll read low if resistance if it is shorted and infinite if it is open
  

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  • RE: How to use a multimeter to measure a capacitor or resistor - Ron Oehlert 18:14:36 10/20/09 (2)
    In Reply to: RE: How to use a multimeter to measure a capacitor or resistor posted by Uncle Mike on October 20, 2009 at 17:05:22

    Since most Ohms readings are taken via passing the meters's internal Battery current thru the resistor under test, attempting similar evaluation on a capacitor will charge the capacitor = a false reading if you're not very experienced at doing so.
    

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    • RE: How to use a multimeter to measure a capacitor or resistor - norwoodpond 21:51:14 10/21/09 (1)
      In Reply to: RE: How to use a multimeter to measure a capacitor or resistor posted by Ron Oehlert on October 20, 2009 at 18:14:36

      Wow,I am new to this. I had pretty much the same question,thanks for the info.
      

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      • RE: How to use a multimeter to measure a capacitor or resistor - Kirk57 08:07:25 10/25/09 (0)
        In Reply to: RE: How to use a multimeter to measure a capacitor or resistor posted by norwoodpond on October 21, 2009 at 21:51:14

        while a capacitance meter can show correct capacitance, the cap may still be bad. An ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) meter may be required to assess the cap's state.

        Also as others mentioned, you would need to unsolder one end of each resistor before taking the readings, otherwise you are measuring the resistor's value in parallel with the resistance of the circuit it's connected to.

        and keep in mind that large capacitors can store charge for while after the unit is powered off. It is good practice to keep one hand in your pocket with doing such testing (especially for tube stuff!) so that you don't become part of the circuit!
        

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        Edits: 10/25/09

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