As we are entering the summertime, when all need to have a functioning HVAC. Most of the HVAC in the house, banks, classrooms, and even laboratories are not functioning well because of one or two faults. From the work, I have been doing on a faulty HVAC. I came to find out that most of the faulty, HVAC I worked on is caused by a faulty capacitor on the system. And the question is how can we maintain or replace a faulty HVAC capacitor.
The capacitor is a crucial part of the system, as it supplies energy to the compressor and the blower of the HVAC. Without it, the system won’t function.
You as a contractor or you want to DIY. Is ok you know how to go about replacing Ac faulty capacitor and how to identify them.
Effects of a faulty HVAC capacitor on the system.
The effects or what faulty capacitors can cause in our AC is what needs to know, as it helps us in troubleshooting a bad HVAC.
A bad/faulty capacitor causes the following on our HVAC;
- The AC will take time to ON after it would have being switch ON.
- The AC will be blowing in worm air instead of cooler air in the compartment.
- The air conditioner will consume more energy, therefore increasing the electricity consumption.
- The compressor makes a humming noise at the cause of stating or when the air conditioner is running.
- The AC capacitor makes an audible clicking noise when starting.
- Sometimes the AC fails to start. That should be when the capacitor is completely bad.
All those effects are the signs and indications of a bad capacitor. But another fault that may not be a capacitor fault can still result in some of those signs.
How to inspect and replace a faulty HVAC capacitor.
After observing the following signs on the AC. The next thing to do as a contractor is to open the AC system to inspect the capacitor. The signs of faulty capacitors remain the same to all capacitors not minding the type of the air conditioner.
Using your screwdriver, lose the AC cover to be able to see the capacitors inside it.
Visual inspection of the capacitor.
As the capacitor is degrading, it begins to swallow up. Close looking at the capacitor, you will observe bulged on the normally flat top of the capacitor. That is an indication that the capacitor is faulty and needs to be changed. As the capacitor bulged, it may still function but won’t be effective as it uses to be before.
If the capacitor bulges and at the same time having an oil substance around the top surface with moist sediment on them. That shows that the capacitor has damage or closely at the point of damage.and needs to be replace with good one.
When the capacitor has opened maybe from the top, it means the capacitor Has been completely damaged and needs to be replaced with a new one.
Safety precautions to take when changing a capacitor.
The capacitor as a voltage storage device, store an electrical charge which is capable of shocking when is not discharge properly.
Easy tips to test a capacitor using multimeter.
To replace any AC capacitor, the following safety precautions should be adhered to.
- The terminal of the capacitor should not be touch to avoid getting shocked.
- The terminals of the capacitor should not be made to come in contact. As the contact of the two terminals will lead to a heavy spark that can cause a fire.
- when discharging, you should connect the capacitor to a resistive load and leave till the charge is safely discharged.
Steps to replace a faulty HVAC capacitor.
The following steps show how to replace the AC capacitor.
- switch OFF the AC supply and discount/unplug from the power source.
2. Using a screwdriver, remove the access panel.
3. After removing the access panel, carefully inspect the capacitor of the air conditioner.
4. When the capacitor has been inspected and finds out that is faulty. The next thing is to remove and replace it with a new one.
5. Take the record of the capacitor ratings of the voltage and the capacitance of it, as the exact is meant to be replaced.
NOTE: Replacing with the lower or higher capacitance of the old one will result in shorting the life span of the capacitor or even endangering other components on the AC.
6. Discharge the old capacitor and from the access panel. While disconnecting the capacitors, make sure to mark the polarity of the terminals. Because the new one will be connected exactly as the old one.
7. Is now time to install the new one. To install the new one, follow the way the burnt one was connected before without interchanging the wires.
8. Package the capacitor and the panel inside and cover the access penal.
9. Connect back to supply and ON the AC and test.
When all the instructions were strictly followed. The AC will work perfectly but if it persists, open it again to check your connections.
