B&K Precision 879B - Manual - Manual (Page 84)

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In all cases, it is best to check with the manufacturer’s
data sheet in order to determine the best test
frequency to use for measurement.
Selecting Series or Parallel Mode
Just as test frequency can greatly affect measurement
results, selecting between series or parallel
measurement mode can also affect the accuracy of
the meter, especially for capacitive and inductive
components. Below are some recommendations to
consider.
Capacitance
For most capacitance measurement, selecting
parallel mode is the best. Hence, the meter defaults
to this mode when selecting capacitance mode. Most
capacitors have very low dissipation factor (high
internal resistance) compared to the impedance of the
capacitance. In these cases, the paralleled internal
resistance has negligible impact upon the
measurement.
Though in some cases, series mode would be
preferred. For instance, measuring a large capacitor
would require using series mode for optimal reading.
Otherwise, the meter may show the reading results as