After measuring the capacitance with a DMM, what should the reading indicate?

When measuring capacitance with a Digital Multimeter (DMM), the reading should reflect a value that falls within the specified tolerance range set by the manufacturer of the capacitor. Capacitors are produced with a specified nominal capacitance value and a tolerance, which indicates how much the actual capacitance can vary from the nominal value. For example, a capacitor rated at 100 µF with a tolerance of ±10% can have an acceptable capacitance range of 90 µF to 110 µF.

A reading that is within this specified tolerance range confirms that the capacitor is functioning correctly and is still capable of storing the charge as designed. If the reading falls outside this range, it may suggest that the capacitor is defective or degraded. Thus, recognizing the importance of the tolerance range is critical in assessing the health and functionality of capacitors in electrical systems.