thanks man, this'll make it 10 times easier to see the good info

Roger that

In a few hours ill have new content

I came home from work day before yesterday and found a house very hot even though the air conditioner was set to be running. Upon looking at the outside unit I found it humming but neither the compressor nor the circulating fan running. The humming of the motor indicated to me that it was trying to run but was having difficulty doing so. I killed the power and opened up the control side and checked the capacitor. I found it it was swollen and out of shape which is an indicator that it is bad. Sometimes they were rupture other times they will look fine although they are bad. If it is not physically altered you may have to take it to a air conditioning supply house to have it checked for you. The capacitor cost me approximately $18 and is quite simple to change out. And could save you quite a bit of money on a service call and mark up from an HVAC contractor

This is a picture of the new capacitor installed if you will notice it isn't swollen

The capacitor is a component that helps the motors to start and run efficiently

👌ty

I carry turbo capacitors. You may find the versatility helpful in the field @Deleted User

Gregs right an $18-$60 part installed averages $400-$450 installed out here

Well heres half the install of today. The customer asked if we could come back tomorrow so they could have family time

Nice!

What causes the capacitor to swell?

Age and demand. When a compressor sits for 9 months without use the oil in the refrigerant sludges to the bottom. Then you hope to turn the system on. The mechanical side tries to move, but the electrical side doesnt know that the mechanical side is struggling so it tries hard and dies

Exactly. One thing you have to remember is electricity is a very powerful thing. Many times when a component fails there will be physical damage that you will be able to see on many of the components. Burns, discoloration, melting, etc.

But the actual swelling. Pressure? Temp change?

@William Kenney – MD a capacitor stores static electric energy in a dialectric space... literally lighting in a bottle. When and electric motor is mechanically locked the electrical system will generate more, without ampacity monitors devices will literally overheat. See the by prodruct of electricity is heat. Our NEC is technically NFPA volume 70. The national electric code is written by the national fire protection agency

this is arc damage on a 100A main breaker.

Any low voltage questions, I know a bit. I started out as a low voltage tech in my current company.

Still carry scissors and a punch tool? @Infineon

Always. Plus crimpers and a toner.

Always a fun time.