Test with a multimeter

Adjustable (trimmer) capacitor

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Now: Screw at minimum capacitance

CircuVanta 6000 counts · auto range DCAUTO•)))HOLDFUSE− HOLD LIGHT OFFV⎓V~Ω•)))FmA⎓ mA400 mACOMVΩ Fixed electrode (stator) 1 Rotating electrode (rotor) 2
Pin 1: Fixed electrode (stator) (1) Pin 2: Rotating electrode (rotor) (2)

Red probe Not connectedBlack probe Not connected

Hold the probe and drag it to the tip of a leg. Tapping works too: first pick the probe, then the leg.

Set the range to F (capacitance).

Measure step by step

A trimmer capacitor's capacitance changes when you turn the screw. Small values are picofarads; the multimeter shows them in the third decimal of the nF range, and the probe leads add a small value too. Turn the screw to both ends and see the difference.

  1. 1Screw at minimum capacitance
  2. 2Screw at maximum capacitance
  3. 3Watch it charge on the Ω range