Electronics > Beginners
Safely discharge stored current
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fixit7:
I would like to salvage some parts.
I did so many years ago, but had a problem with leftover current.
How do I safely discharge any stored current ?
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/crtfaq.htm#crtsdc
https://imgur.com/a/ZTg3dqv
Thanks.
bob91343:
You don't have stored current. Perhaps you are thinking of stored energy in capacitors. You get rid of it by short circuiting the capacitors. Small capacitors rarely store enough energy to cause trouble but larger ones can.
When working on gear that uses high voltage, by all means discharge the capacitors. It's also wise in case you are going to connect sensitive test equipment.
Sometimes it's as simple as laying a screwdriver blade across the capacitor terminals. Other time you need to be a bit more savvy to avoid various kinds of damage.
We all make mistakes but as long as they have no permanent results we can learn from them.
fixit7:
thanks. I just want to pull the boards and salvage the components.
That link mentioned using a 5 watt resistor.
I will be using gloves and an insulated wire cutter after I have discharged capacitors.
Zero999:
Using a resistor is a good idea, because a limits the current and discharges the capacitor in a more controlled manner, rather than producing huge sparks, which can fire out pieces of molten metal and weld whatever it is you're shorting it with to the capacitor.
Afterwards, measure the voltage on the capacitor to check it's safe to touch.
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