How to Discharge a Capacitor

Before working on any motor, be sure you discharge the capacitor. Capacitors store energy and can pack a serious and potentially dangerous jolt of electricity.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Alligator Clips
• Slotted Screwdrivers

1. Unplug the power feeding the motor.

2. Pick up a 20,000-ohm, 2-watt wire resistor at an electronics store. Be sure it's a wire-wound resistor.

3. Stick a jumper on each end of the resistor, using two jumpers with alligator clips.

4. Clip one free end of a jumper to the flat edge of a standard screwdriver with an insulated handle.

5. Attach the final jumper to one terminal of the capacitor.

6. Touch the tip of the screwdriver to the other terminal.

Tips & Warnings

• If there are more than two terminals on the capacitor, be sure to attach the clip to each one and discharge all of them.

• If you don't fully understand this procedure or it makes you uncomfortable or you're unsure if you did it correctly, consult a licensed electrician.