Hi, today I'm going to do a tutorial on How to Check the Capacitor Condition Using Analog Multi Meter. These tutorial was based on my personal knowledge, experience and ideas on How to Check the Capacitor Condition Using Analog Multi Meter.

Let’s begin with the Definition.

A capacitor is a device that stores energy. In the form of electrostatic field, the capacitor consists of two conducting materials separated by an insulating materials. Generally, Capacitors plays a very important rule in any electronic circuit. But, the question is how to check the capacitors conditions?

Below are the possible conditions of a typical capacitor.

1. The capacitor is leaky.
2. The capacitor is in Bad Condition.
3. The Capacitor is in good condition.

Materials Needed:

1. Capacitors (Ceramic, Mylar and Electrolytic).
2. Analog Multi Meter.
   Note: In handling with capacitor always make sure to discharge the capacitor for the safety of the measuring device and for the person making the experiment most especially for high voltage capacitor.

To discharge the capacitor, connect the two terminals of the capacitor using any conducting materials.
See attached photo below.

How to check for leaky capacitor.

Procedures:

Set the mode of the analog multi meter to ohmmeter with the highest setting (100kΩ) and then connect the test probes of the analog multi meter to the leg terminals of the capacitor. Observe the reading of the analog multi meter for 1-2 seconds. Now, if the pointer of the analog multi meter stabilizes in one value. Then, the capacitor is said to be leaky and need to be replaced.
See attached photo below.

How to check for bad capacitor.

Procedures:
With the same setting of the analog multi meter, connect the test probes of the analog multi meter to the leg terminals of the capacitor. Observe the reading of the analog multi meter for 1-2 seconds. Now, if the pointer of the analog multi meter indicates short circuit value or a zero resistance. Then, the capacitor is said to be in bad condition and need to be replaced.
See attached photo below.

How to check for good capacitor.

Procedures
With the same setting of the analog multi meter, connect the test probes of the analog multi meter to the leg terminals of the capacitor. Observe the reading of the analog multi meter for 1-2 seconds. Now, if the pointer of the analog multi meter changes value every seconds before it stabilizes to infinite reading or a high resistance. Then, the capacitor is said to be in good condition and OK to use.

Note: Sometimes ohmmeter test is not 100% reliable for checking the capacitor conditions. Because, sometimes it may fail in ohmmeter test but it may pass to the other test which is the voltmeter test. So,to be sure about the condition of capacitor it should pass both the tests.

Credits: Photos were taken using my cellular phone.

Hope you find it helpful steemians. Follow me for more tutorials.