How To Install Capacitor In Ac Unit

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The run capacitor's job is to bound kickoff the compressor and the fan of your air conditioning system when needed. A faulty capacitor does not do this properly. A possible sign your run capacitor has failed is that the compressor unit outside your home does not start up. It may make a humming noise in an endeavor to start without ever turning on. The result is an ac system that stops working. If you have the right tools and a practise-it-yourself attitude, information technology is a relatively simple repair.

1

Set the thermostat command to the off position.
2

Locate the 220v breaker box. It should be located close to your AC compressor. This feeds the unit the voltage necessary for it to run. Often you will see a cable running from this breaker box straight to the AC compressor.

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iii

Open up the breaker box panel. There is a latch on the box (either on the side or bottom) that unlocks it. Once the door is in the open position, push it in slightly and it should lock in place.
4

Remove the breaker by pulling it direct back by the handle. Gear up the breaker aside in a safety place.

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1

Locate the side panel of your Ac unit of measurement.
2

Unscrew the bolts and remove the side panel. Use the appropriate bit with a flake driver to remove the screws. Typically there are four 5/16" hex screws that adhere the side panel to the rest of the unit. Place the screws in a secure location so as non to lose any.
3

Locate the current run capacitor but practise non touch it (the capacitor must exist discharged earlier information technology is condom to handle). It volition have a cylindrical, canister-similar shape. It volition have three terminals on superlative. There will be colored wires coming from the AC Unit to some if not all of the terminals on the capacitor.
4

Inspect run capacitor to see if it needs to be replaced. The tiptop of the run capacitor should be perfectly flat. If you see that the top side is jutting upwards in whatsoever style, it needs to be replaced. If this is not the example, a faulty capacitor may not be the source of the issue. You may need to contact your local HVAC professional.
5

Accept note of what color wires are attached to each terminal on the capacitor. The iii terminals on the capacitor are labeled HERM, FAN, and C. Accept a moving-picture show with your smart phone to tape how everything is installed to brand sure the new capacitor is connected in the same way. Jotting down these details on a slice of paper will also work.

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i

Put on proper piece of work gloves and eye protection. Inspect your insulated flat-head screwdriver. A properly insulated screw commuter should have an entirely rubber handle. Ensure the handle has no exposed metal parts or cracks.
2

Discharge the capacitor. To do this you are going to create a span between the C terminal and the HERM/FAN terminals, 1 at a time, using the metal office of the screwdriver. Ensure you are not touching anything metal. With the metallic role of the screwdriver, bear on a metal prong on the C final AND another from the HERM last at the same time, creating a span betwixt the two. This may produce a shock. Do this two more times to ensure the terminals were completely discharged. Do the same to the C and FAN terminals.
3

Remove the curved metal subclass holding the capacitor in place. Utilise the appropriate chip and the bit driver to remove the screws. These are typically 2 1/four" hex screws but this may vary. Gear up the screws and the bracket in a secure location.
iv

Disconnect the wires from the capacitor. To be safe, always treat the capacitor terminals as live terminals. Remove the old capacitor.

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1

Purchase the advisable capacitor for your Air-conditioning unit. They tin be purchased at your local HVAC Supply Shop or they tin also be purchased online through Amazon, eBay, etc... The simplest way to make certain you buy the right ane is to social club the same model number from the same manufacturer. At that place are occasions where another brand might be more affordable. In this instance you want to make sure to match the specifications on the erstwhile capacitor.
2

Connect the new capacitor in the same location where the former capacitor was. Adhere the accordingly colored wires according to how they were placed on the old capacitor.
3

Reattach the curved metallic bracket to secure the capacitor.
iv

Test the new capacitor. Plug the 220v breaker back in the ON position. Plough on the thermostat to absurd. The AC unit should turn on inside the next two to three minutes. Verify the unit is working properly. Do not effort to reattached the Ac unit's side console while there is ability running through it.
5

Plough off power to the Ac unit past turning off the thermostat and removing the 220v breaker again. Put the AC panel cover dorsum on and secure it with the appropriate screws. Plug the 220v breaker back in and ready the thermostat to absurd. The repair is consummate!

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Question

It'southward not articulate whether y'all discharge the capacitor with the wires attached or after you disconnect them?

Belch it later the wires are off. This will ensure that no wires nor other components get damaged.

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Most HVAC supply stores are not open on weekends and ordering a capacitor online is not an immediate gear up. Depending on where you lot alive, if your Ac breaks on a Fri evening, waiting through the weekend might be quite uncomfortable. It is a good idea to go on a spare capacitor in your home. They typically last 8-10 years although some do go early on while others last much longer.
If you cannot tell if the capacitor is bulging, you can even so discharge and remove the capacitor and exam it with a multimeter.

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AC units and capacitors can contain high voltage. Discover all rubber precautions. If you practice not feel comfortable working with electric devices, telephone call your local HVAC professional person.
Capacitors may still hold a charge even after power has been turned off to the unit. Be sure to follow the steps to belch the capacitor before handling.
Exercise non begin any piece of work until you accept turned off the ability to the AC unit.
Always wear gloves and eye protection.