Capacitor Safety Discharge Calculator
Calculate discharge time or required resistance for safe capacitor discharge. Essential for preventing electrical shock when working with capacitors.
Safety Warning
⚠️ Always discharge capacitors safely before handling!
• Use appropriate discharge resistors rated for the voltage
• Wear proper safety equipment (gloves, safety glasses)
• Never discharge high-voltage capacitors directly
• Verify discharge with a multimeter before touching
Discharge Parameters
Enter capacitor and circuit values to calculate discharge time
Discharge Time Result
Time required to discharge the capacitor
Enter the capacitor and circuit values, then click "Calculate Discharge Time" to see the result
Safety Guidelines
High Voltage (>300V)
• Use professional discharge tools
• Wear insulated gloves
• Work in dry conditions
• Have emergency procedures ready
Medium Voltage (50-300V)
• Use appropriate discharge resistors
• Verify discharge with multimeter
• Avoid direct contact
• Work carefully
Low Voltage (<50V)
• Generally safe to handle
• Still use basic precautions
• Verify discharge if unsure
• Good practice to discharge anyway
Discharge Formula
Time Constant (τ)
τ = R × C
Where R is resistance in ohms and C is capacitance in farads
Discharge Time
t = -τ × ln(Vf/Vi)
Where Vf is final voltage and Vi is initial voltage
Required Resistance
R = -t / (C × ln(Vf/Vi))
For a target discharge time t