3 Ways to Check Capacitors in Circuit with Meters & Testers

Learn How to check bad Capacitors in circuit boards with ESR and Fluke multimeter, ESR meter reading is ohms and Fluke capacitor reads microfarads uf mf of a cap, see below for "capacitor meters"
Warning: Use this information at your own risk

[jeanpanaccio]

After watching your YouTube vid I had enough confidence to try and repair a Phillips TV that had sound but no picture. I replaced three capacitors that looked bulged for 99 cents each. Works great now. Many thanks.

[JustSomeGuyLV]

One of the best, if not THE BEST display of ESR tester measuring resistance of capacitors while they are soldered on circuit board. Can't stand the other YT channels skipping out on displaying this innovative function and it's accuracy.

[jimmyholden]

thanks for speaking in a language format that is comprehendible

[tonywylder]

I love your videos. In 1961, when I was five, I used to test the tubes for my Dad. The tester looked like a hospital medical unit, 4'x 3'x 3'. It was his pride and joy!

[MrFebrero]

Fluke 100, I have had mine for 30 years and still kicking butt, Great video bro...!

[choimdachoim]

I recently replaced our TV because of continual malfunction and disassembled the old one. While watching this video I visually checked the circuit boards and found a 100 volt 3300 micro farad capacitor with a swollen top. A month ago I paid an HVAC company for repairs to our air conditioning which turned out to be replacing a capacitor. I could have saved a lot of money if I'd seen this video earlier.

[vickikgibson]

Tip, when you find out your true focal depth for your camera for closeups, mark that on the table or floor, and don't go past that distance when holding up objects. That way you stay in total focus. :) And I can then SEE what you are pointing to:) Otherwise it is a blurry mess....not fun for you or others. And you are a pro at fixing...we need you!! LOL Anyway, love the videos, and I am learning a lot for an old gal!

[darkus]

The manner in which you speak is the reason I subscribed. Thanks for the content buddy.

[atlraskalg]

Went through like 5 video. This one by far the most informative and clearer quality

[nickbenke]

As a young engineer I used to set a multimeter to a 200k+ impedance setting, then I place the probes on the capacitor legs. One way should count up, reverse it and it should count down. Then I know it is working!

[johnnydeutschemark]

An older electronics repair guy once said, "It's usually the capacitors, always check the capacitors". thanks for this video, I feel like I can start checking now.

[kkampy]

I work in the fire alarm industry. Looking for the end of line resistor in an audio circuit with autoranging is difficult. The circuit is a giant parallel circuit of a capacitor in series with a coil. This creates a giant ringing circuit. Since the probe voltage changes as the range changes, the meter is constantly switching ranges, which changes the voltage, which changes the range etc. Setting a fixed range allows the circuit to stabilize quickly.

[fitulus]

I subscribed because i forgot to do that when i saw your video's earlier. You are a great teacher even when you may not realize that. I'm doing repairs for couple of years now. I only know my basic stuff of electronics and watching your vid's are still educating me alot.
Thanks and greetings from Belgium

[apartmentswales]

Excellent video, what I love is that you have made a CLEAR and Precise Film and a Great and Clear Voice Over, you have definitely Demonstrated your knowledge to others.
I am an Electrical Mech Eng and of an age to have forgotten more than most know, but your Film just opened up all those flood gates for me, thank you so much. Mr Spence Eng

[MrRobuz]

I worked as a electronic technician for over 20 years and wish I could of had a capacitor checker like yours. Used the old method measuring the resistance both ways with a analog meter.

[jeepin]

Thanks for doing this video. I was able to fix my dish receiver. Two bad capacitors. Replaced them and it works fantastic now.

[robv.o.]

Had a meeting with an instructor at a local technical institution, AV boards are re-capped every 5 years. The broadcaster has extra units to swap as each board is done😊
I re-capped all of my amplifiers with higher voltage and temperature, for increased headroom.
I can over volt them without issues.
I would blow up the audio input caps with high output line driver😮
Good plan to change them all, as they are typically designed to only have a 5 year lifespan in circuit.
They might work beyond that, but the electrolyte dries out.

[geminithugbaby]

you can also discharge the capacitor by setting your meter on the voltage setting and place the red needle/clamp on one end and the black needle/clamp on the other end and you'll also be able to see the discharge go down to O on your meter display and i feel this way you have of a chance of damaging the capacitor incase it might still be good

[andrewthompson]

I bought a mesr100 tester thanks to your video, it gave me the confidence to try it, I have 16 Antminer hash boards to try and reanimate, I was going to desolder 96 caps just to test them not now and it's .50 cents to check each one and a free tester (useful for hobbyist, just starting, like me ) when I've tested them, YAY. U made my weekend, Bless ya buddy, I always discharge caps, great advice, I put a taser in my pocket once without discharging the caps ! Voltage to the nether regions ! Is a great teacher, wish I'd watched you first (0; Thanks again .

[KaivitiSingh]

NOTE: There is NO instrument ever made on this Earth which can "ACCURATELY" measure a capacitor still soldered inside a circuit. This is because other components in the circuit will offer values which affects the actual value of the particular capacitor being measured. You always have to unsolder the component and measure it outside.