Before testing a capacitor start motor with an ohmmeter, what action should be taken?

Discharging the capacitor before testing a capacitor start motor with an ohmmeter is crucial because capacitors can store electrical energy even after power has been removed. If the capacitor is not discharged, it may still hold a charge, which can lead to inaccurate ohmmeter readings or potentially cause harm to the technician by delivering an electrical shock. By discharging the capacitor, you ensure that the testing process is safe and that you are measuring resistance in a controlled manner.

It's important to remember that leaving the capacitor connected or attempting to charge it can lead to safety hazards and errant readings. Testing the voltage might provide some information about the system's functionality, but it does not replace the need to safely discharge the capacitor prior to conducting resistance tests. Thus, discharging the capacitor is the proper and necessary action to take before performing ohmmeter tests on the motor circuit.