To test a capacitor using a digital multimeter with a capacitance setting, start by disconnecting the capacitor from the circuit it’s a part of.

Note: You can do this test with a multimeter if you have a Capacitance meter or you have a multimeter with a feature to test the capacitance. If you find that the reading is more than 6 percent lower than the rating on the unit, it … If it’s … Apply the two leads of the multimeter to the capacitor.

Then, use needle-nosed pliers to remove the wires from the capacitor. Use your digital multimeter (DMM) to ensure all power to the circuit is OFF.

Then, connect the multimeter leads to the capacitor terminals.

To test a capacitor with a multimeter, discharge the capacitor, set the multimeter to test for resistance then interpret the reading. Use your multimeter to confirm the capacitor is fully discharged.

To this test, rotate the multimeter knob to the capacitance mode. Once everything is hooked up, check the reading.

Method 1 Checking a Capacitor using Multimeter with Capacitance Setting. Start capacitors are used in many home appliances, like washers, refrigerators, or air conditioners. If leaks, cracks, bulges or other signs of deterioration are evident, replace the capacitor.
Types of capacitors and failure modes. How to Check a Start Capacitor. Next, read the capacitance value on the outside of the capacitor, and set your multimeter to its capacitance setting.

When testing polarized capacitors, be sure to connect the multimeter probes properly (connect the capacitor positive lead to the positive probe, and the negative lead to the negative probe). Next, take a photo or make a note of which wire connects to which terminal on the capacitor. It should give you a digital reading, ideally within 6 percent of the manufacturer specifications for the capacitor. For this, we need a Digital Multimeter with Capacitance Meter feature. To test a capacitor competently, you need to know that capacitors can be of two types: polarized; non-polarized.
If is used in a dc circuit, set the DMM to measure dc voltage. Checking Capacitor By Multimeter in the capacitance Mode. If the capacitor is used in an ac circuit, set the multimeter to measure ac voltage. Visually inspect the capacitor.

This is one of the easiest, quickest and accurate way to test a capacitor. There are other testing methods other than resistance that can be used. Most of the mid and high end Digital Multimeters include this functionality.

Also, this method is good to test the tiny capacitors as well. A freezer’s capacitor plays a role in controlling air temperature and keeping food cold. How to Test a Capacitor for a Freezer. Since capacitors store voltage, the multimeter is also capable of reading volts, so if the multimeter being used has a capacitance meter, the actual capacitance value is given.