On a starting relay, the component can be tested to see if it is electrically acceptable using a standard ________ or capacitance meter.

On a starting relay, the component can be tested to see if it is electrically acceptable using a standard ________ or capacitance meter.

• A. Multimeter
• B. Oscilloscope
• C. Thermocouple
• D. Megohmmeter

Answer: (A)

Measuring the coil resistance with a standard multimeter is the straightforward way to judge a starting relay’s electrical health. The relay coil should show a specific resistance range; if the reading is too high or it’s open, the coil isn’t energizing properly, and the relay won’t engage. If the resistance is unusually low, it can indicate a shorted coil. Using the multimeter’s continuity function can quickly confirm there’s a complete electrical path through the coil. A capacitance meter comes into play when you need to verify the capacitor associated with a capacitor-start relay, since capacitor value directly affects starting torque. The oscilloscope could reveal abnormal waveforms but isn’t a quick go/no-go test for basic electrical acceptability. A thermocouple is a temperature sensor, not an electrical health test for the relay, and a megohmmeter checks insulation resistance, which is a different kind of fault inspection.

Measuring the coil resistance with a standard multimeter is the straightforward way to judge a starting relay’s electrical health. The relay coil should show a specific resistance range; if the reading is too high or it’s open, the coil isn’t energizing properly, and the relay won’t engage. If the resistance is unusually low, it can indicate a shorted coil. Using the multimeter’s continuity function can quickly confirm there’s a complete electrical path through the coil.

A capacitance meter comes into play when you need to verify the capacitor associated with a capacitor-start relay, since capacitor value directly affects starting torque. The oscilloscope could reveal abnormal waveforms but isn’t a quick go/no-go test for basic electrical acceptability. A thermocouple is a temperature sensor, not an electrical health test for the relay, and a megohmmeter checks insulation resistance, which is a different kind of fault inspection.