How to measure capacitance with multimeter
In electronic repair and circuit design, the measurement of capacitance is a common and important operation. As a multi-functional tool, the multimeter can help us quickly measure the capacitance value. This article will introduce in detail how to use a multimeter to measure capacitance, and provide hot topics and hot content in the past 10 days as a reference.
1. Basic steps for measuring capacitance with a multimeter

1.Choose the right multimeter: Make sure your multimeter has capacitance measurement capabilities. Digital multimeters usually have a capacitance setting (marked "F" or "CAP").
2.Discharge treatment: Before measurement, be sure to discharge the capacitor to avoid damaging the multimeter or causing safety hazards. You can use a resistor or a screwdriver to short-circuit both ends of the capacitor.
3.Connect capacitor: Connect the red lead of the multimeter to the positive terminal (long leg or marked "+") of the capacitor, and the black probe to the negative pole (short leg or marked "-").
4.Read value: Select the capacitance level on the multimeter, wait for the value to stabilize and then record the reading. Note the units (usually microfarads "μF" or picofarads "pF").
2. Hot topics and content in the past 10 days
The following is a summary of hot topics and hot content across the Internet in the past 10 days for reference:
| Date | hot topics | Hot content |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-11-01 | New breakthroughs in artificial intelligence | OpenAI releases GPT-4 Turbo model, performance significantly improved |
| 2023-11-03 | Technology product launch | Apple releases M3 chip MacBook Pro with significant performance improvements |
| 2023-11-05 | Environmental protection and energy | Global investment in renewable energy hits record high |
| 2023-11-07 | Health and Medical | Breakthrough progress in clinical trials of new anti-cancer drugs |
| 2023-11-09 | Economics and Finance | The Federal Reserve announced that it would keep interest rates unchanged, and the market reacted calmly. |
3. Things to note when measuring capacitance with a multimeter
1.Range selection: Select the appropriate range based on the nominal value of the capacitor. If the capacitance value exceeds the multimeter's range, it may not be accurately measured.
2.Polar capacitor: Polar capacitors such as electrolytic capacitors must be connected correctly to the positive and negative poles, otherwise it may cause capacitor damage or measurement errors.
3.environmental interference: Avoid measuring in an environment with strong electromagnetic interference to avoid affecting the measurement accuracy.
4.Regular calibration: The multimeter may have errors after being used for a long time. It is recommended to calibrate it regularly to ensure measurement accuracy.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do if my multimeter doesn’t have a capacitor setting?
A: If the multimeter does not have a capacitance range, you can indirectly estimate the capacitance value by measuring the charge and discharge time of the capacitor, or use a special capacitance meter.
Q: What does it mean when "OL" is displayed during measurement?
A: "OL" means out of range. It may be that the capacitance value is too large or the capacitor is damaged.
Q: How to judge the quality of capacitor?
A: If the measured value differs greatly from the nominal value, or the multimeter displays "0" or "OL", the capacitor may be damaged.
5. Summary
Measuring capacitance using a multimeter is a practical skill. Mastering the correct operating steps and precautions can greatly improve measurement efficiency and accuracy. At the same time, paying attention to recent hot topics and content will help you understand technological and social trends and provide more references for work and life.
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