What does a capacitor do on a motor - Home Fencing

Most motor capacitors are actually start capacitors. There are motors that use both a start and a run capacitor, usually combined into a single package but such motors are fairly rare.

As it isn't possible to identify the capacitor value you either need to approach a motor specialist for advice or to order a replacement as a spare part for either the machine or the motor from the manufacturer.

If your motor uses a start capacitor it is vital for the starting of the motor. If it goes bad the motor will not start.

IF you don't have a special meter, that costs more than the capacitor, just replace it. The meter is called an ESR meter and they are $$

the capacitor has to be right for the motor or it will burn out the windings in the motor
you have done the wrong thing by using a bigger capacitor
capacitors come in to categories
one type is a start capacitor and is controlled by a set of governed points in the back of the motor
The motor comes up to speed and the points open which takes the capacitor out of the circuit
The other is a start/run capacitor which impetuses to keep the motor running
I strongly suggest that you seek the help of a washing machine technician before you do real damage to the machine

You need to find out what is causing the capacitor to short and "blow up or smoke". Then you will have to replace the capacitor again or the motor will never start up. Sounds like you either have a dead short or you bought a faulty Capacitor. Not uncommon for a 220+ volt Capacitor to be bad right from the factory. I replaced two Capacitors before I had a quality one, but after I replaced it twice I have had no more problems. Make sure to grease the motor through the grease fitting on it. The life of your motor depends on it.

Capacitor Failure Symptoms are sometime harder to identify without the right tools and expertise. Capacitors can be found in several different sizes and shapes. There may be one or multiple capacitors included in your ac with regards to the design. While the most popular capacitors are the types found on circuit boards, the ones most associated with air conditioning will be the bigger capacitors that assist start and run your motors. There are several motors present in an conditioner and heater systems:

1. Compressor Motor Run Capacitor: Here is the most popular capacitor that fails. Most of the time these are duel capacitors, which means that there are 2 capacitors built into one. A duel capacitor will have three terminals on the top where a single capacitor will simply have two terminals on top.
2. Outside Fan Motor Run Capacitor: That is the smaller capacitor found with or part of the Compressor Motor Capacitor. It helps start and run the outside fan that blows air through the outside coils.
3. Indoor Blower Motor Run Capacitor: Similar to the outdoor fan motor capacitor, it is a small, single (two terminals) capacitor that will help start and run the indoor blower motor.
4. Start Capacitor: Some models include an auxiliary start capacitor that helps jump start the motors. Most are found on the compressor. These are less common.

You may need to get that checked out.
Air Conditioning

on the motor should be a diagram detailing the wires. brown white goes to either side of the capacitor and brown wire to other side of capacitor. hi speed goes to normally open contact on the indoor fan relay and the wire designated common on the motor goes to the other side of power from the relay contacts.

Capacitors on a air cond help in starting the motor and the compressor. If the capacitor is shorted or open, the motor or compressor will not work. Capacitors also keep the motors running. Most domestic airconds have a capacitor for the compressor and most condenser motors also have a smaller capacitor.

The start capacitor for the motor is bad or the internal switch isn't shutting off the start capacitor. The start capacitor usually is mounted to the side of the motor in a sheet metal case that has 2 screws. The metal case is usually contoured and likes like a long wart on the side of the motor. Oh, DISCONNECT YOUR MOTOR FROM ALL ELECTRICITY BEFORE DOING ANY OF THIS! I would recommend removing the motor entirely from the saw.

To Check the start capacitor...
Open the metal case on the side of the motor to expose the capacitor. Be carefull here, as you could get a shock! Use a screwdriver with a plastic handle, and while holding the platic handle only, touch the 2 leads of the capacitor together for about 5-10 seconds. This will drain the capacitor of any residual charge.

Disconnect the wires to the capacitor. Connect a multi-meter or resistance/ohm meter to the two leads. If the resistance is 0, then slowly starts to climb (you can reset to 0 using the screwdriver across the leads again) - then the start capacitor is good. If the resistance is infinity or very large, then the capacitor is bad.

I'm betting that your capacitor is good (the motor would have a hard time trying spin if capacitor was bad), then it's the internal switch that shuts off the start capacitor. In my experience, these switches are mechanical and the are centrifical switches - it's like 2 little weights at the end of an arm attached to the motor shaft. The faster the motor spins, the further the weights swing away from the shaft.

I've found that these switches get dirty/corroded or filled with sawdust (when the motor isn't very well sealed), or the lubricating grease dries out. If you're mechanically inclined, I say take the motor apart and clean the switches and re-lubricate them. Adjust as necessary. But you can totally mess them up or have parts from your motor shoot across the shop (some are spring loaded).

Most compressor motors are brushless. I suspect your problem is due to a bad capacitor or capacitors. The capacitors on a motor are under the one or two humps on the motor casing. Large motors usually have a run/start capacitor or run and a start capacitor. If the motor tries to move or moans when you turn it on 90% of the time it the capacitor.

Remove the capacitors and bring them to your local electric motor repair shop. They usually will test them for free and usually have replacement capacitors on hand. When reinstalling if it has two terminals it does not matter which wire you connect to which side. Many time each terminal will have two connection points. Sometimes they have two wires on one side and one on the other. Just make sure you keep the same two on the same side. Also the start capacitor may have a diode/resistor on it. Have the motor shop check it and if good swap it to the new capacitor or install a new one.