What is a capacitor resistor?

It’s essentially a high-value resistor connected across the terminals of a capacitor or between the positive and negative voltage rails in a power supply circuit. This tool calculates the value of Resistance (Ω) required to discharge a capacitor in a specified amount of time.

How does a power supply discharge a capacitor?

In fact, a properly design power supply uses this method to discharge the output capacitors after disconnecting the power supply. In this method, a resistor known as Bleeder Resistor is connected across the leads of the capacitor. When the power supply to the circuit is removed, the capacitor discharges through this bleeder resistor.

How do you discharge a capacitor with a metal object?

Discharging a capacitor with a metal object is a handy DIY method, but it's crucial to follow these steps carefully to avoid any accidents. A bleeder resistor is a resistor connected across the capacitor terminals to facilitate a slow and controlled discharge.

How do you use a capacitor discharge resistor?

Select an appropriate discharge resistor based on capacitor voltage and capacitance. Connect the discharge resistor across the capacitor terminals using insulated probes. Monitor voltage decay using a high-impedance voltmeter in parallel with the resistor. Maintain the connection until voltage drops below 50V or to the specified safe level.

How long does a 1K resistor take to discharge a capacitor?

If we use a 1kΩ resistor across the leads of the capacitor, it will discharge in 3s. But the important thing to remember is the power rating of the resistor. To safely discharge the capacitor, the resistor must be rated for at least 2.5W of power dissipation. So, choose a 5W 1kΩ resistor, in this case, to be on the safe side.

How to choose a capacitor resistor?

But the important thing to remember is the power rating of the resistor. To safely discharge the capacitor, the resistor must be rated for at least 2.5W of power dissipation. So, choose a 5W 1kΩ resistor, in this case, to be on the safe side. These high-power resistors are usually expensive.