Capacitors are used in HVAC to help electrical motors to start and keep running smoothly.
They are low-cost components that come in multiple packages, shapes, and sizes.
A Start capacitor helps a motor start to turn, while a Run capacitor helps it to operate more smoothly.
Motors used in HVAC, such as the condensing fan motors or blower fan motors, sometimes need help to start moving and to stay running at a steady pace, with no heavy up and down spikes.
To do this, HVAC units use what are called Start and Run capacitors which can add more amps or smooth out voltage spikes.
Start Run capacitors are usually a single capacitor package but can be separated into individual units.
Not all motors will have a start or run capacitor; some can start and run by themselves.
Capacitors in HVAC can be separated with two capacitors or can be in a single package.
When they are separate, they are called “Single,” and when they are combined into one package, they are called “Dual Round.”
Example Dual Round HVAC Capacitor
Example Single HVAC Oval Capacitor
The Dual Round Capacitors are engineers trying to save on space and cost.
They could have put two separate capacitors in an HVAC unit but combined them into one package.
A dual capacitor will have one leg to start the compressor (Labeled Herm) and another leg to start the condensing fan motor (Labeled Fan).
The third leg on a dual capacitor is a shared common leg (Labeled “C”).
A Start or Run Capacitor can be combined into one capacitor called a Dual Capacitor with three leads but can be split between two separate capacitors.
The Start Capacitor gives a fan motor the torque it needs to start spinning then stops, while the Run capacitor stays on, giving the motor extra torque when needed.
If the Start Capacitor fails, the motor will most likely not turn on. If a Run capacitor goes bad, then a motor can turn on, but the running amperage will be higher than normal, causing the motor to run hot and have a short life expectancy.
After replacing a bad Condensing Fan Motor, a new Start Run Capacitor should always be installed.
A Dual Capacitor has three connections HERM, FAN, and COM.
If the unit has two capacitors, one is the Run Capacitor, and the other is the Start Capacitor. Keep in mind the compressor also often needs a capacitor which will be HERM (compressor).
A new Capacitor should always be installed with a new motor. A capacitor can be bought at an HVAC supply company; there are usually at least a few even in a small town; also, online, Amazon or eBay is a good place to look.
Here are two common capacitors, the one on the left is a Dual Round Capacitor, while the one on the right is a Run Oval capacitor.
The Dual Capacitor is nothing more than two capacitors in the same housing, while the Run oval is a single capacitor, and an HVAC system will usually have two.
Capacitors are measured by the Microfarad, sometimes shown by the letters “uf” and Voltage. In any HVAC unit, the capacitor must match the motor.
The voltage can go higher if necessary but never lower, while the MFD (uf) should always be the same. In the picture, this is a Dual Run Capacitor and reads 55+5 MFD (uf) 440 VAC. The larger number 55 MFD is for the compressor, while the lower number 5 MFD (uf) is for the fan motor.
The lower number is always going to be for the fan motor. Then the voltage is 440 Volts AC.
(The + -5 after the MFD is how much it the capacitor tolerance is rated to go up or down.)
To order a replacement for this capacitor, it would be 55+5 MFD (uf) and 440 volts AC Dual Run Capacitor.
Example HVAC Dual Capacitor On Amazon
MAXRUN 55+5 MFD uf 370 or 440 Volt VAC Round Dual Run Capacitor for Air Conditioner or Heat Pump Condenser – 55/5 Microfarad Runs AC Motor and Fan – 5 Year Warranty
Testing an HVAC capacitor is done with an HVAC multi-meter; the multi-meter must be cable of reading the range that an HVAC capacitor can have. Many small electronic meters do not have this range.
Here I am using the Fieldpiece HS36 multi-meter with an Amp clamp.
This test is being done on a Dual Run Capacitor 55+5 MFD (uf). The multi-meter is on Farads, and the leads are on C and FAN (positive and negative do not matter). The lower number is for the fan motor, which is rated at 5 MFD (uf), and it reads 5.3 MFD (uf), so it is good. The leads C to Herm can also be read, which would be for the compressor.
To test a Run Oval Capacitor, simply touch the two leads. This one reads 4.5 MFD (uf) and is rated at 5 MFD (uf), so it is bad and needs replacing.
A new fan capacitor should always be installed when a new motor is installed. It is always a good idea to take a picture or write down wire coloring and connections.
(If you have two capacitors one is for the compressor and one is for the fan motor.)
For more information Start and Run Capacitors for Electric Motors, Start and Run Motor Capacitor Manufacturer, CBB61 Motor Run and Start AC Capacitors, please get in touch with us!