Circuit Setup: A charged capacitor is connected in series with a resistor, and the circuit is short-circuited by a switch to start discharging. Initial Current: At the moment the switch is closed, the initial current is given by the capacitor voltage divided by the resistance.
Discharge Tool: For high-voltage capacitors, it’s advisable to use a dedicated capacitor discharge tool, which often includes a resistor to safely dissipate the charge. – Insulated Tools: For lower-voltage capacitors, you can use insulated screwdrivers or pliers. 3. Discharge Process
Discharging a capacitor means releasing the stored electrical charge. Let’s look at an example of how a capacitor discharges. We connect a charged capacitor with a capacitance of C farads in series with a resistor of resistance R ohms. We then short-circuit this series combination by closing the switch.
As soon as the capacitor is short-circuited, it starts discharging. Let us assume, the voltage of the capacitor at fully charged condition is V volt. As soon as the capacitor is short-circuited, the discharging current of the circuit would be – V / R ampere.
Charging and Discharging of Capacitor with Examples- When a capacitor is connected to a DC source, it gets charged. As has been illustrated in figure 6.47. In figure (a), an uncharged capacitor has been illustrated, because the same number of free electrons exists on plates A and B.
It’s often safe to discharge a capacitor using a common insulated screwdriver; however, it is usually a good idea to put together a capacitor discharge tool and use that for electronics with larger capacitors such as household appliances. Start by checking for a charge in your capacitor, then choose a method to discharge it if needed.