Prokit's Industries MT-5110 - Manual (Page 6)

6
NOTE:
(a) If the capacitance value is unmarked, start with the 200pF range and
keep increasing until the over-range indication goes off and a
reading is obtained.
(b) A shorted capacitor will read over-range on all ranges. A capacitance
with low voltage leakage will read over range, or a much higher
value than normal. An open capacitor will read zero on all ranges
(possibly a few pF on 200pF range, due to stray capacitance of the
instrument).
(c) Measure of very low capacitance should be performed using
extremely short leads in order to avoid introducing any stray
inductance.
(d) When using the optioned test leads, remember that the leads
introduce a measurable capacitance to the measurement. As a first
approximation, the test lead capacitance may be measured by
opening the leads at the trips, recording the open circuit value and
subtracting that value.
(e) Capacitors, especially electrolytic, often have notoriously wide
tolerances. Do not be surprised if the measured value is greater than
the value marked on the capacitor, unless it is a close tolerance type.
However, values are seldom drastically below the rated value.
(f) If changing range, measured value will be changed; leakage-voltage
capacitors will be checked also. Leakage-resistance will be
decreased in lower range.