What should be done before checking a capacitor?

Discharging a capacitor before checking it is crucial for safety and accuracy. Capacitors can store significant electrical energy, and if they are not properly discharged, this stored energy can cause electric shock or damage to testing equipment when attempting to measure capacitance or inspect.

Discharging the capacitor ensures that it is safe to handle and allows for accurate testing of its functionality without the interference or risks posed by remaining voltage. It's standard practice to use a resistor to carefully discharge the capacitor before conducting any further checks.

While measuring capacitance, inspecting physical condition, and soldering connections are all essential steps in a capacitor's overall maintenance and assessment, these should only be done after ensuring that the capacitor is safe to handle, which makes discharging it the priority step.