Multimeter capacitance symbol and how to read it

Accurate capacitance measurements require expensive equipment, but a digital or analog multimeter can give you a rough idea. This post talks about the multimeter capacitance symbol and how to read it.

Multimeter capacitance symbol "–| (–.”

Follow the steps below to read the multimeter capacitance symbol.

First turn on your analog or digital multimeter. Insert the plugs into the correct ports on the multimeter. Then turn the multimeter knob until it points to the multimeter capacitance symbol. Then check if your DMM has a REL button. You need to click on it with the separated test leads. Next, disconnect the capacitor from the circuit. Then connect the test leads to the capacitor terminals. Leave the test leads there for a few seconds for the multimeter to automatically determine the correct range.  

What is capacity?

The amount of electrical energy stored in an object is called capacity. A good example is capacitors in electronic circuits.

Multimeter capacitance symbol 

One of the most commonly used multimeter symbols is the multimeter capacitance symbol. You can't measure capacitance unless you know what you're looking for on a DMM. So what is this symbol?

Multimeter capacitance symbol “–| (–.”

How to measure capacitance with a multimeter

1. Set up your device 

Turn on your analog or digital multimeter. Insert the plugs into the correct ports on the multimeter. Connect the red wire to the port marked with the capacitance symbol of the multimeter (–|(–). Connect the black wire to the port marked “COM”. (1)

2. Set up the DMM to measure capacitance. 

Turn the multimeter knob until it points to the multimeter capacitance symbol. All multimeters use this symbol - (–|(–). If you are using a different multimeter, you can use the yellow function button to set the DMM to measure capacitance. Note that each multimeter's dial position allows multiple measurements. , In this case, remember to press the yellow function until the multimeter capacitance symbol appears.

3. Activate REL mode

Check if your DMM has a REL button. You need to click on it with the separated test leads. This nulls the capacitance of the test leads, which may interfere with the multimeter capacitance measurement.

It's necessary? Only when measuring small capacitors.

4. Disconnect the capacitor from the circuit.

You cannot measure farads while the capacitor is still connected to the circuit. Be careful when handling capacitors as improper handling can result in electric shock. When disconnecting a capacitor from an electrical circuit, wear protective clothing and equipment such as safety goggles and insulating gloves.

5. Measure the capacitance 

Then connect the test leads to the capacitor terminals. Leave the test leads there for a few seconds for the multimeter to automatically determine the correct range. (2)

You can now read the capacitance multimeter reading on the screen. If the capacitance value exceeds the set measurement range, the display will show OL. The same should happen if your capacitor is faulty.

Summing up

Now you know how to measure capacitance with a multimeter. We hope you find this guide helpful when you use a DMM to measure capacitance. Feel free to read our other guides if you get stuck. We have listed a few below.

• Multimeter symbol table
• How to Use a Cen-Tech Digital Multimeter to Check Voltage
• How to test a spark plug with a multimeter

Recommendations

(1) lead - https://www.britannica.com/science/lead-chemical-element

(2) seconds - https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-fourth-grade-math/imp-measurement-and-data-2/imp-converting-units-of-time/a/converting-units time review