How to Test an AC Capacitor❄️🛠️ #HowTo #DIY #HVAC #AC #capacitor #repair #maintenance #homeowner #AnyHourServices #Utah #Arizona | By Any Hour Services - Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air | The most common parts that fail on an air conditioner is a capacitor. I'm going to show you how to test a dual run capacitor and how to tell if the dual run capacitor needs to be replaced. First thing we're going to do is cut the power. Remove the disconnect or shut off the breaker. There should be an access panel there. We're going to remove the screws and take that cover plate off. Now, before we disconnect anything, go ahead and snap a picture so that you know how to hook the wires back up when you're done. We want to discharge any excess electricity. We're going to take our screwdriver and touch it across the terminal now we can remove the wires the capacitor should be held in place by a strap loosen that up and remove the capacitor if you are checking your capacitor and you see bulging or something leaking out the side you can probably skip the testing phase and go straight to replacing it but if it looks okay all you going to need to test it is a meter that measures microfareds a capacitor should have a label on the side of it you're going to see two microfared numbers because there's technically two capacitors inside this one unit you'll also see a tolerance represented by a plus or minus number, this means that the capacitor can do its job without damaging the motors as long as it's within that range. First, we need to do a little bit of math to find the tolerance. My capacitor is plus or minus 5percent. So, what we're going to do is multiply each microfered number by 5 percent. To get the minus 5%, we're going to multiply times point 9five. To get the plus 5percent, we're going to multiply times 1. 05. This gives us a tolerance between thirty-three point 2 five microphones and thirty-six point seven five micro for the compressor and four point seven five to 5 point 25 for the fan. These are the ranges that the capacitor needs to test between in order to determine whether it's good or bad. Alright, now that we have those numbers, we're actually going to take our tester and we're going to set it to measure capacitor but keep in mind whatever reading we get when we're testing the capacitor if that falls above or below the tolerance, the number that we just came up with, it's out of the manufacturer's recommended tolerance and it should be replaced. Now, when we're identifying which terminal we're going to test, first, we're going to find the common terminal. Look for a C or look for the terminal that has four prongs. Then, stick the black probe of your tester on it. Next, find the compressor terminal. It'll either have herm or three prongs on it. Stick the red probe on it. Then, watch your tester and does that number fall within the acceptable range. Mine looks like it is right on the edge of being out of range. Next, we're going to test a fan terminal. Look for it labeled fan or having one or two prongs and then does that reading fall within the acceptable range. Looks like mine is spot on. If one side of it or if one of those capacitors isn't working, you have to replace the whole unit. Even if your system is still running, it's good to be proactive as it starts to get weak because the longer the compressor or the fan runs on a weak capacitor, the more it will shorten the life of those components and those components, the fan and the compressor, they're not cheap to replace especially when you compare it to the cost of one of these dual run capacitors. The way that mine is, I'm going to go ahead and make a video about replacing a capacitor. One, because it's on that weekend of the tolerance and I need another video to make. For now, let's go ahead and put this thing back in. I hope yours is actually okay and you feel good about testing it and you know that yours is working. So, let's go put this back. Okay so now we can button everything up As long as you have a meter that can measure micro feds, you should be able to test your capacitor. I hope you found this video helpful. Till next time. Good luck with your next project and if you ever feel like you've gotten it over your head, it's okay to ask for help. Thanks for watching. See ya.
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