Motor capacitor
A motor capacitor,[1][2] such as a start capacitor or run capacitor, including a dual run capacitor,[2] is an electrical capacitor that alters the current to one or more windings of an electric motor to create a rotating magnetic field. It is used in air conditioners, hot tub/jacuzzi spa pumps, or forced air heat furnaces.[1][2] A round dual run capacitor (described below) is used in some air conditioner compressor units, to boost both the fan and compressor motors.[1]
Motor capacitors include two common types, run capacitors and start capacitors :
Run capacitors
Run capacitors are designed for continuous duty, and they are energized the entire time the motor is running.[1] Run capacitors are rated in a range of 3–70 microfarads (µF), with voltage classifications of 370 V or 440 V.[1] Single phase electric motors need a capacitor to energize a second-phase winding. If the wrong run capacitor is installed, the motor will not have an even magnetic field, and this will cause the rotor to hesitate at those spots that are uneven. This hesitation can cause the motor to become noisy, increase energy consumption, cause performance to drop, and cause the motor to overheat.
Start capacitors
Start capacitors briefly increase motor starting torque and allow a motor to be cycled on and off rapidly.[1] Start capacitors have ratings above 70 microfarads (µF), with three major voltage classifications: 125 V, 250 V, and 330 V.[1] A start capacitor stays energized long enough to rapidly bring the motor to 3/4 of full speed and is then taken out of the circuit, such as by a centrifugal switch that releases when rotating at or around that speed.
Examples of motor capacitors are: a 35 µF, at 370 V, run capacitor, or an 88–108 µF at 250 V start capacitor.[1]
Dual run capacitors
A dual run capacitor supports 2 electric motors, such as in large air conditioner or heat pump units, with both a fan motor and a compressor motor. The dual capacitor has 3 terminals labeled "C", "FAN", and "HERM" for the common, fan, and hermetic compressor connections.[3]
Round dual run capacitors (shaped as round cylinders) are commonly used for air conditioning, to help in the starting of the compressor and the condenser fan motor.[2] Dual capacitors come in a variety of sizes, depending on microfarads (µF), such as 40 plus 5 µF, and also the voltage. A 440 volt capacitor can be used in place of a 370 volt, but not a 370 in place of a 440 volt.[2] The microfarads must stay the same within 5% of its original value.[2] An oval dual run capacitor could be used instead of a round capacitor, but the mounting strap should be changed to better fit the oval shape.[2]
A faulty dual capacitor often becomes swollen up, with the sides or ends bowed or bulged out further than usual: it can be clear to see that the capacitor has failed because it is swollen or even blown apart with capacitor oil leaking.[4] The U.S. EPA stopped allowing manufacturers to produce capacitors with cancer causing PCBs, and because of the replacement materials, the capacitors now have a limited shelf life.[4] When a dual capacitor fails in an A/C compressor unit, either the outdoor fan does not run, the compressor does not run, or both the fan and the compressor motors do not run.[4]
See also
- Capacitor (component) - overview of practical capacitors.
External links
- "CPSC, Firms Announce Recall of Infinity and Lifestyle Spas", U.S. CPSC, Washington, DC, 2003-12-09.
References
- "CAPACITOR SIZING DILEMMAS" (motor capacitors), LA.gov, Louisiana, 2008, webpage: LAgov-HVAC-motor-capacitor.
- ^ a b c d e f g h LA.gov, Louisiana (2008-09-24). "CAPACITOR SIZING DILEMMAS (motor capacitors)". LA.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g JustTheRightAir (Sept. 2008). "Round Dual Run Capacitors". justtherightair.com. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ BestBuyHeatingandAirConditioning.com (Sept. 2008). "45/5 Mfd 370 Volt Dual Round Run Capacitor". Retrieved 2008-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c Arnold's Service Company (2008-09-21). ""Capacitors"". Arnoldservice.com. Retrieved 2008-09-24.