How to check condenser with Multimeter?

For an electrician, checking the condenser is one of the most common tasks. And sometimes it’s difficult to follow the proper procedure or where to start. That is why we have created this handy guide on how to check condensers with Multimeter.

The process of the testing condenser is pretty simple like measuring current or voltage, where you use the probes for measurement. Before we get into the topic first of all we will discuss

What is Condenser?

The condenser is an old name of the capacitor. Mostly Automotive ignition capacitors are still commonly called condensers. There is a small metal connector at the end of the condenser. This connector is the phase point and the metal case is the grounding point. These condensers are mostly used in the vehicle engine.

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What is Multimeter?

A Multimeter is a tool for measuring electrical quantities like resistance, voltage, and current. All these meters (ohmmeter, voltmeter, and ammeter) that measure those quantities are combined to a single meter are known as multimeters. There are two types of multimeters:

1. Analog Multimeters

Analog multimeters work on the principle of moving coil meters. These meters use the deflection of an indicator needle to indicate the level of the measurement on an analog display.

2. Digital Multimeters

Why do we need to check the Condenser?

The condenser is an important part of Automobiles. Before installing a new one, you might need to test the old one. Testing can verify a condenser that might fail soon after installation. If testing reveals a good condenser, then you can look at other parts for a problem without having to replace the part.

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Now let’s get back to the topic

How do you test an ignition condenser with a multimeter?

Follow these steps to check the condenser with a multimeter

• Remove the condenser from the Engine

To test a condenser with a multimeter first of all remove it from the engine or disconnect the lead wire. There are small metal connectors located on the end of the condenser. This connector is the phase point and the metal case is the grounding point. Discharge the condenser by shorting these two points.

• Rotate the multimeter Knob to the ohms

First, insert the red probe with the mA V Ω port of the meter. Similarly, put the black lead in the “com” port of the meter. Rotate the multimeter knob to ohms and set the resistance range to the highest available setting.

• Connect the probe with condenser

To test a condenser with a digital multimeter connect the red probe of the multimeter with the phase point of the condenser and connect the black probe at the negative terminal of the condenser. The meter starts showing the reading. Hold the probes for at least 15 to 20 sec. If the meter stills show a resistance reading then the condenser is working properly otherwise it is damaged.

• Reverse the probe connections

Now connect the hot point of the condenser with the black probe of the meter and connect the red probe with the metal case of the condenser. Meter will still show reading. During this process, the condenser will discharge.

In short on connecting the multimeter probes with a condenser, if the meter shows reading then the condenser is working properly otherwise it is damaged.

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FAQs: How to check condenser with Multimeter?

What does an ignition condenser do? How do you test it?

The condenser is an old name of the capacitor. Mostly Automotive ignition capacitors are still commonly called condensers. There are small metal connectors at the end of the condenser. This connector is the phase point and the metal case is the grounding point.

Condensers are mostly used in the vehicle engine and prevent arc damage across the ignition points and prolong the discharge of electricity through the coil. These ignition condensers are tested with a multimeter.

How do you know if your ignition condenser is bad?

To test the condenser with a multimeter.

• Connect the red probe with phase and black probe with the ground terminal of the condenser.
• The meter will give a reading.
• Hold the probes for at least 15 to 20 sec.
• If the meter stills show resistance reading then the condenser is working properly.
• otherwise it is damaged.