Measuring Capacitance; Checking Continuity - Radio Shack 22-812A Manual

Taking Measurements

Measuring Capacitance

The capacitance measuring circuit in your meter charges a connected capacitor
to a specific voltage level, then discharges the capacitor to a lower voltage. The
meter measures the amount of time it takes to discharge the capacitor.
1. power off the circuit under test and discharge all capacitors.
2. Rotate the function dial to
3. Attach the red test lead to the positi�e side of the capacitor and attach
the black test lead to the negati�e side. Or, remo�e one of the leads of
the capacitor from its circuit and connect the test leads to the capacitor's
matching (positi�e or negati�e) terminals. The measured �alue appears.
Notes:
6-26-07
• The �oltages applied across electrolytic capacitors affect their measured �alue.
That is, a measurement taken with a low �oltage will be lower than one taken with a
�oltage near the capacitor's �oltage rating. Since this meter cannot use high �oltage
to set the electrolyte, it cannot measure the absolute �alue of capacitance.
• For low-�alue capacitors, the measurement might be �ery close to the meter's actual
input capacitance. Use the meter's relati�e feature to measure low capacitance �alues.
• Capacitance measurement accuracy depends on the measurement method and
differs with different types of capacitors. The meter's measurement is for reference
only.

Checking Continuity

You can use the meter to check for shorted or open electrical circuits.
1. power off the circuit under test and discharge all capacitors.
2. Rotate the function dial to
3. Touch the
Shrt appears and the buzzer sounds if the circuit resistance is less than about 50 ohms
(meaning the circuit is continuous or shorted).
Open appears and the meter�s buzzer does not sound if the circuit resistance is
greater than about 50 ohms (meaning the circuit is not continuous).
Use the meter's relati�e feature to measure low capacitance �alues.
test leads across the circuit you want to measure.
/ and press SELECT until nF or µF appears.
/ and press SELECT until
1
measure low capacitance �alues.
appears.
MASTER BKGRD 6