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What reading shows an ohmmeter is across a large, discharged capacitor?

Resistance that increases over time.

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  1. Resistance increasing over time ✔
  2. Resistance decreasing over time
  3. A steady full-scale reading

Why: At first the empty capacitor soaks up the meter's current, so the resistance looks low. As it charges, less current flows and the reading climbs.

Huh, didn't know that: This is an old, quick way to see whether a big capacitor still charges.

The dad joke
The capacitor was empty at first, but it slowly charged up its attitude.
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References

Answer: Resistance increasing over time. At first the empty capacitor soaks up the meter's current, so the resistance looks low. As it charges, less current flows and the reading climbs.

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool (Feb 19, 2026 errata) ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    T7D10 (A) What reading indicates that an ohmmeter is connected across a large, discharged capacitor? A. Increasing resistance with time
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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