Capacitors are traditionally tested with a capacitance meter (commonly found as a function within a multimeter), with the component taken entirely out of the circuit. “Bench testing,” as this method is referred to, is hands-down the safest method of checking capacitance in microfarads. All other methods require the capacitor to be wired into the circuit […]

  You've probably heard the famous last words, “Dude, watch this,” before a concussion, burn, shock, broken bones, or some other bodily harm. This phrase has become synonymous with young guys doing something dumb to impress their friends. Technicians have two common phrases that may not lead to bodily harm (although sometimes they might), and […]

Many of the “old-timers” in our trade are baby boomers; they were likely born after World War II ended and before the mid-1960s. These people grew up in a different time than today’s millennials (Gen Y) and zoomers (Gen Z). As those old-timers continue to retire, our trade needs to start attracting, recruiting, and managing […]