Bleeder Resistor

retched

Joined Dec 5, 2009
5,207
A bleeder resister is used to 'bleed off' a capacitor, to be sure it doesn't hold a charge.

These are sometimes used on motor START capacitors, where the cap is only needed for startup, but not for running.

You can also use them to bleed capacitors that you want to remove or test from an installed state. Because you dont know if it is charged or not, you can connect a bleed-resistor from the cap to gnd. This will slowly discharge the cap to keep you from getting shocked or blowing a piece of your screwdriver across the room. ;)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleeder_resistor
 
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