What is a potential consequence of failing to discharge a capacitor before testing?

Failing to discharge a capacitor before testing can lead to personal injury or damage because capacitors store electrical energy. If a charged capacitor is not properly discharged, it can release that stored energy unexpectedly when tested or handled, posing a risk of electric shock to the technician. Moreover, this sudden discharge can potentially damage the equipment being tested, disrupt circuit components, or cause other hazards related to electrical shorts. Proper safety protocols dictate that capacitors should always be discharged before any testing or maintenance is performed to avoid these dangerous situations.