How Do You Test An Electric Motor Capacitor

You can do this test with a multimeter if you have a capacitance meter or you have a multimeter with a feature to test the capacitance.

How do you test an electric motor capacitor.

Also this method is good to test the tiny capacitors as well. How to test an electric motor capacitor. Do not touch an electric motor capacitor nor any other. Notes to the tables above.

Motor capacitors store electrical energy for the motor to use. A bad motor capacitor may cause starting problems or could shut off the motor while running. The higher the capacitance of the capacitor the more energy it can store. To test an hvac run capacitor you ll need a multimeter.

If the capacitor does not test as described above short out the capacitor leads one more time in case residual voltage is in the capacitor. This article series gives electric motor start run capacitor and hard. You can check to see whether a capacitor is good or bad using an ohm meter but first you have to remove the capacitor from the circuit and discharge it. Replace the capacitor if it fails the test again.

This article gives a description of electric motor capacitor test procedures to determine if a capcitor is damaged or working normally test procedures to measure the capactor s capacitance or microfarads mfd or uf to determine if it is working within its rated capacitance range. Retest the capacitor with the meter. To this test rotate the multimeter knob to the capacitance mode. Use needle nose pliers with an insulated handle to remove wires.

A damaged or burnt out capacitor may hold only a fraction of the energy needed for the motor if its capacitance is low. It should give you a digital reading ideally within 6 percent of the manufacturer specifications for the capacitor. Use a screwdriver to open your machine and locate the capacitor. The cover must be removed to access the capacitor for inspection and testing.

Check the start or run capacitor used for starting or running some motors if equipped. Capacitors are metal tubes that store an electric charge usually found near a motor in the appliance. Many household appliances have an electric motor start capacitor and when this wears out the motor doesn t have enough energy to cycle on.