How to Check a Start Capacitor
Remove the start capacitor., Examine the capacitor for bulging or fluid., Use an analog or digital volt meter., Touch the two terminals with your ohms meter test leads., Check for capacitance, if the capacitor is alive.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Remove the start capacitor.
The easiest and most convenient way to discharge the capacitor is to attach the terminals of a low wattage 120v light bulb (about 20 watts) to the capacitor terminals.
This will safely discharge the electricity which may still be stored into it.
Be very careful that you do not short the terminals by connecting one to the other, until after the capacitor has been discharged.
Doing so could injure or kill you.
Use extreme caution when discharging the capacitor before proceeding. -
Step 2: Examine the capacitor for bulging or fluid.
Signs that the top of the capacitor are bulging out slightly, as if expanding, is a sign that the capacitor might be dead.
Likewise, check and look for any dark fluid that appear on the top of the capacitor.If you see either of these, it's still a good idea to run the check with a voltmeter, since it only takes a few seconds. , Both work in essentially the same way and are both appropriate for the job.
Set the meter to 1k ohms to begin the test. , The basic check involves touching the test leads twice and comparing the reaction.
Touch the test leads to the terminals and then reverse them.
The needle in your meter should swing to 0 ohms and swing back to infinity on an analog meter, and should display open line every time that you reverse on a digital meter.
If it does, you've got a live capacitor and your problems are elsewhere.
If there is no difference the capacitor is dead. , If you have a multimeter, you can use the capacitance setting to perform a quick check.
If the number is relatively close to the number listed on the capacitor, it's in good shape. -
Step 3: Use an analog or digital volt meter.
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Step 4: Touch the two terminals with your ohms meter test leads.
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Step 5: Check for capacitance
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Step 6: if the capacitor is alive.
Detailed Guide
The easiest and most convenient way to discharge the capacitor is to attach the terminals of a low wattage 120v light bulb (about 20 watts) to the capacitor terminals.
This will safely discharge the electricity which may still be stored into it.
Be very careful that you do not short the terminals by connecting one to the other, until after the capacitor has been discharged.
Doing so could injure or kill you.
Use extreme caution when discharging the capacitor before proceeding.
Signs that the top of the capacitor are bulging out slightly, as if expanding, is a sign that the capacitor might be dead.
Likewise, check and look for any dark fluid that appear on the top of the capacitor.If you see either of these, it's still a good idea to run the check with a voltmeter, since it only takes a few seconds. , Both work in essentially the same way and are both appropriate for the job.
Set the meter to 1k ohms to begin the test. , The basic check involves touching the test leads twice and comparing the reaction.
Touch the test leads to the terminals and then reverse them.
The needle in your meter should swing to 0 ohms and swing back to infinity on an analog meter, and should display open line every time that you reverse on a digital meter.
If it does, you've got a live capacitor and your problems are elsewhere.
If there is no difference the capacitor is dead. , If you have a multimeter, you can use the capacitance setting to perform a quick check.
If the number is relatively close to the number listed on the capacitor, it's in good shape.
About the Author
Sharon Ross
Creates helpful guides on pet care to inspire and educate readers.
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