Question

Which method is commonly used to test capacitors with a volt-ohm-milliamp meter (VOM) set to measure resistance?

Option 1: Using the lowest resistance scale and touching the meter's test leads to the capacitor's wire leads.
Option 2: Using the highest resistance scale and touching the meter's test leads to the capacitor's wire leads.
Option 3: Setting the VOM to measure voltage and connecting it to the capacitor's terminals.
Option 4: Using a specialized capacitor testing device for accurate results.

Answer 1

To test a capacitor with a VOM set to measure resistance, use the highest resistance scale and touch the meter's leads to the capacitor's leads. The capacitor should charge, indicated by a rising resistance reading. For precise capacitance measurements, a dedicated device is recommended.

Step-by-step explanation:

The method commonly used to test capacitors with a volt-ohm-milliamp meter (VOM) set to measure resistance is Option 2: Using the highest resistance scale and touching the meter's test leads to the capacitor's wire leads. When an ohmmeter is used to measure a capacitor's resistance, the component must be isolated from any circuit to prevent damage to the meter. Using the highest resistance scale, the initial resistance reading should be low and then gradually increase as the capacitor charges from the internal battery of the ohmmeter, indicating a proper functioning capacitor. However, for more accurate results and to test other parameters such as the capacitance value, a specialized capacitor testing device would be the best option.