Which setting should I use to measure capacitance with a multimeter?
This requires selecting the corresponding range based on the approximate size of the capacitance being measured:
2000p gear, suitable for measuring capacitance less than 2000pF;
20n gear, suitable for measuring capacitance between 2000pF and 20nF;
200n gear, suitable for measuring capacitance between 20nF and 200nF;
2μ gear, suitable for measuring capacitance between 200nF and 2μF;
20μ range, suitable for measuring capacitance between 2μF and 20μF.
How to measure capacitance using a pointer multimeter
Select the Rx1k or Rx100 level of the analog multimeter. The black test lead is connected to the positive pole of the capacitor, and the red test lead is connected to the negative pole of the capacitor. If the needle swings rapidly to the right at this time, and then slowly returns to close to infinity (∞Ω), it means that the capacitor is normal. And the capacity is large; if it does not return to infinity, it means that the leakage current of the capacitor is large, and the pointer indicates the leakage resistance of the capacitor under test (the leakage resistance of the aluminum electrolytic capacitor should exceed 200kΩ before it can be used); if If the pointer does not swing to the right at all, it means that the capacitor has been internally broken or the electrolyte has dried up and lost capacity; if the pointer swings very large, close to 0Ω, and does not return, it means that the capacitor has been broken down.
Things to note when using a multimeter to measure capacitance
Be sure to cut off the power and discharge before measuring. The method of discharging is to find a metal object such as a screwdriver, hold the exposed metal part on the insulating handle and put it on the two legs of the capacitor under test. Use a digital multimeter to measure the capacitance. Locate the capacitor block, then plug the two pins of the capacitor into the capacitance measurement socket after the capacitor is discharged. Wait until the changing reading on the LCD screen stabilizes. The actual value is the capacity of the capacitor on the side. If you want to measure leakage, you can use the resistance of a pointer multimeter. When measuring, the small-capacity capacitance multimeter can be placed on RX1K or RX100. When measuring the display on the dial, when the two test leads are connected to the two pins of the capacitor, the pointer will deflect clockwise, and then as the capacitor is fully charged due to no When the current flows, the pointer will move counterclockwise and return to infinity. The larger the angle of the pointer, the greater the capacity. During the deflection process, the pointer should swing at a constant speed so that it can return to infinity. This initially indicates that the capacitor has no leakage. If there is a certain point on the dial, If the needle at each position suddenly slows down or does not return, it means that the capacitor is leaking in a certain period. If the final display is infinity, it means there is no leakage. However, this can only be judged briefly. If you want to find the accurate value, you have to use a capacitance meter and a capacitor leakage tester. Or the observation characteristics on the oscilloscope, which is impossible for ordinary people to have. There is also a capacitor with a withstand voltage value. The withstand voltage value of electrolytic capacitors is usually written on it. Some ceramic capacitors are not marked on them, so be careful when choosing them.
