As a semi retired HVAC/Appliance man, now a part time instructor, I have never seen a better explanation of capacitor ratings and their uses....This is an excellent, easily understood video and my thanks to the gent that made it.
I am an above average person with respect to repairs and understanding the inner workings of anything mechanical. This person's presentation on voltage ratings of capacities totally rocks!
I own a swimming pool company and my customer blew his capacitor on a new pool pump motor. He ran the pump dry, overheating the motor! Thank you for putting out this video! Definitely explains alot!
Awesome explanations... untill this video, I couldnt find a 'good' answer to what the voltage rating on the capacitors mean. I was also trying to decide what types to keep in inventory. Helped with both these questions. Just subsribed. Interested to see some of your other videos now
Thanks for the wonderfully taught capacitor information. Good job! Your info helped me understand my capacitor needs quite well. I hope you keep making these videos. You are easy to understand and to the point without being wordy. Thanks!
Thanks for your help. I ordered a 370V for my 5th wheel and received a 440V. I was pissed until I watched your video. Just gotta make sure I can get it to fit. Thanks.
Thanks a lot for a very helpful and to the point video. You have great demonstration skills that got the point across very easily. I should also mention the order the information was presented in was great. Thanks again.
Great video! great explanation.. the only improvement I can suggest, though is that your company purchase a high definition video camera to let you use!! :-)
So why is the uf rating so critical to match it exactly as stated on my unit if the V rating can be anything higher? I am under the impression that capacitors charge to the voltage listed on them, I have measured this in DC circuits. Is that not the case with Vac caps? If they do charge to the label V, they will then have more joules the higher the V that cap is. That makes the uf label that "must not be changed" questionable.
Yes, that will be fine as long as your uF rating is a match. The 6% or 5% is only a tolerance rating, meaning the capacitor can test within + or - 6% or 5% of the designated rating and still be considered good. Thanks!
I have a Trane XR14 that is doing the typical buzzing sound but the fan isn't starting or running, even when bump started with a stick. The unit has two single run capacitors. One capacitor (135-162MFD) tested good, and the other (70uF) tested bad. I have a dual run 70/5uF handy. A single run exact replacement won't arrive for another couple of days. Should I be able to install the dual run using the C and HERM terminals? And yes, I did order the replacement and multiple spares from you. ;)
Can you please tell me the difference between a 34uf 500VPK Capacitor and a 34uf 500VAC capacitor? What I actually want to figure out is ,can I use the 500VAC cap in place of the 500VPK cap? The only difference is their size, the500VAC is about an inch and a half shorter than the 500VPK cap.
I have appliances from Japan which have 100v, but I have only 110v step down transformer, it should be possible that my appliances from Japan can be 240v? So i dont need a transformer, I'm from Philippines,tnx
My fan stopped spinning in my ac unit. The fan motor has 370 VAC written on the label. I put in a 440 capacitor. The fan ran for about 45 min then stopped and would not turn on again. Is it possible for a bad fan to blow out a capacitor? I am wondering if I need to replace fan motor???
Bryan McDaniel If you have just replaced the capacitor, odds are you have a bad fan motor. Double check to make sure you have voltage applied to the motor. Typically, a bad motor will not cause a new capacitor to go out. If you need help locating a fan motor, let us know and we would be glad to help! e-mail: info@northamericahvac.com Live chat is available Mon-Fri 8a-4p (Click the live chat button at the top of our web page NorthAmericaHVAC.com ) Good luck!
North America HVAC The model of the fan motor is: F48F97A76 Made by A.O. SmithHow much would a new motor cost?(I also sent this information to your email)
Bryan McDaniel Your motor would run you $139.99 plus whichever shipping option you would want (from economy to next day)- here's a link to it and it would ship in less than 24 hours, and a good chance same day, depending on when ordered: www.northamericahvac.com/a-o-smith-1-4-hp-208-230v-condenser-fan-motor-odg1026-f48f97a01-f48f97a76/ Good luck!
Hey! This rating is only the differential. Meaning the capacitor can test + or - 5 or 6% of the original rating and still be considered good. You can go from a +/- 6% to a +/- 5%. If you need help locating a replacement, let us know! :-)
Thanks for this video. Would replacing a capacitor of 10% tolerance with 5% tolerance make a difference in performance or longevity of either motor or capacitor?
The tolerance range will not make any difference in the performance of the capacitor. The most common tolerance ranges you will see are 6% and 10% + or - and it just changed based on manufacture and what they decide to go with.
Anyone know why in the world I can't find a 6/60uF 370/400V Capacitor for our Mini Split (All Styles Brand)? The internet is full of 60/5, but I can't seem to find a 60/6 anywhere.
Unfortunately we don't sell that capacitor. If you end up unable to find one a 5/60 will work and is something that we carry. You can check out our store at northamericahvac.com to check out what else we have to offer. Thanks for watching!
I am replacing a GE 40uf+7.5uf 440 VAC capacitor with a JARD by MARS 40 + 7.5UF 440/370 VAC/B. The new capacitor is .5 inch thinner and .5 inch shorter than the original. I think I have the correct capacitor but the 440/370 VAC/B is throwing me off. Why does it read 440/370 VAC/B, instead of 440 VAC like the original? Thanks, Matt
TheMattsbay18 Hey Matt, thanks for the question. First off, you do have a proper replacement capacitor. As mentioned in the video, 440 volt capacitors can replace 370 volt capacitors, and most HVAC technicians are only stocking 440 volt versions these days. Some companies, such as Jard by Mars, have decided to put 370 / 440 volt on their 440 volt capacitor labels to help people understand that their (Jard’s) capacitor will work in either application. Jard still makes the 370 volt version as well, and it is simply labeled “370 volt”. So in short- they just relabeled the 440 volt capacitors as 370 / 440 volt without changing anything else. Sometimes, the solution makes things more complicated. And as to the size, capacitors are constantly getting smaller with technology increases. Even a current GE/Genteq capacitor is going to be smaller than a GE/Genteq capacitor from 15 years ago. Most people either shim the capacitor in place or make a new hole in the capacitor strap. Good luck with yours!
No, because he selects a capacitor that is designed to have a higher voltage rating and the same capacitance. This is done by increasing the distance, and increasing the surface area. This increases the volume, which is why he spoke about a higher voltage rating capacitor being larger.
So... I can't find a 450VAC cap for temp use could I use a 440VAC that everyone around here has? I have no cool air. The unit is an inside unit so it will stay relatively cool.
Yes, you can use a 440 VAC. I know that the video says to not go down, but 450 VAC capacitors are very odd and typically hard to find. Usually, you would have drop by a lot more than 10 VAC to find a lower replacement capacitor- dropping 10 VAC will not cause any issues. Good luck and let us know if we can do anything else for you!
I JUST got finished talking with Mike and Lacey on the chat... VERY confusing that there were 4 people in the chat. Mike and Lacey were great. Debra had obviously never used chat before. Anyway... I found out that the cap I need for the Air Compressor is actually a 120mfd +/-5% 250vac 50/60hz. and I have a 130mdf +/-5%SH 250V AC 50/60hz and was now wondering if I could use it as a temp while I wait on my order to get here when I order the part from you guys.
Wilson Revelle First, I'm sorry that the chat experience wasn't up to standard for you today. As to your question, there are start capacitors and run capacitors, and the answer to your question would be different depending on which one you had. I'm guessing that you have a run capacitor- probably a round black plastic capacitor? If you can, please send a picture of the capacitor that you have installed AND the alternate capacitor that you have to info@northamericahvac.com. We can immediately confirm what you have and whether the backup capacitor you have will safely replace it. Thanks!
Oh no problem with the chat thing. Im all good and kinda found it funny. Anyway, The prob with sending a pic of the old cap is that it got lost. I finally got through to Harbor Freight and they told me that the cap I needed was a CBB60 120mfd +/-5% 250v AC 60hz. The one I have is, actually taken from a compressor at Harbor Freight off one that had a broken T-valve so the manager let me take it off, a 130mfd +/-5% 250v AC, 50/60hz. Only a difference of 10 on the mfd. I talked with some other electrical engineers on Google+ and they told me it should be fine. Im still going to get the other but I am a starving artist and needed my compressor running so I can use my airbrush.
Gotcha. Though the capacitor is lost, I'm pretty confident that the capacitor is a start capacitor, in which case, the 130 MFD should work for you. There are two opinions in this matter- 1.) the by the book answer and 2.) the starving artist answer. If I was in your position, I'd just leave the 130 in the permanently and not worry about it. That said, whatever you are most comfortable with is the better option. Best of luck and have a great weekend!
Vac means AC ( alternating current ) voltage, it's not another word for capacitors, there are also DVC capacitors made only for dc current, the difference is that DVC capacitors have to be installed with the negative and positive facing the correct way, sort of like a diode, but with the dc caps, if there installed backwards they will blow up
KeystoneScience That's what I did wrong! I been wondering why I blew up that cap when I tried to build that tank circuit (100mh inductor and 10uf cap on 110v AC). I actually never realized there are DC and AC caps. I knew there were ones that didn't have specific polarity, but never made the connection that all my little caps from TV circuits and what not are all from DC circuits. Love your video's by the way, and we all have always wanted to know how to build a microwave gun, but we never will lol. Thanks for the ah-hah moment I just had bro
As a semi retired HVAC/Appliance man, now a part time instructor, I have never seen a better explanation of capacitor ratings and their uses....This is an excellent, easily understood video and my thanks to the gent that made it.
I am an above average person with respect to repairs and understanding the inner workings of anything mechanical. This person's presentation on voltage ratings of capacities totally rocks!
I own a swimming pool company and my customer blew his capacitor on a new pool pump motor. He ran the pump dry, overheating the motor! Thank you for putting out this video! Definitely explains alot!
Thank you for your comment. Glad to help, Cody! :-)
Great video. Well thought out. The explanations are clear enough for electronics dummies like myself. Thanks for this!
Awesome explanations... untill this video, I couldnt find a 'good' answer to what the voltage rating on the capacitors mean. I was also trying to decide what types to keep in inventory. Helped with both these questions. Just subsribed. Interested to see some of your other videos now
Thanks for the wonderfully taught capacitor information. Good job! Your info helped me understand my capacitor needs quite well. I hope you keep making these videos. You are easy to understand and to the point without being wordy. Thanks!
If the teachers in high school were like you...I would have done Great!!!! Fantastic explanation!!!
Thanks for your help. I ordered a 370V for my 5th wheel and received a 440V. I was pissed until I watched your video. Just gotta make sure I can get it to fit. Thanks.
Best explanation I've ever heard!! Thanks!!
HVAC is the only place I shop for AC. Just placed an order with you last night. Great video and please keep up the good work!
Thank you for explaining the voltage.
Thanks a lot for a very helpful and to the point video. You have great demonstration skills that got the point across very easily. I should also mention the order the information was presented in was great. Thanks again.
+Hany El Thanks for watching and for the positive feedback!
Great Video. Thank you very much. You made that very easy to understand.
Very helpful video and thanks so much for helping me!
Great explanation. I know know now what to purchase and whom to purchase it from. Thank you!
Very helpful and easy to understand. Thank you!
Great company to order from. Fast service and part was an exact match for my A/C unit.
Great video! great explanation.. the only improvement I can suggest, though is that your company purchase a high definition video camera to let you use!! :-)
watching you feels like I'm in meeting of soldiers who battle in WW
Very good video!!!!!
Good to know because belief it or not some HVAC techs will miss size capacitor. Also, it's worth the extra money to get the made in the USA part.
Great video.
Have a capacitor with 50 v 470 uf yxg on the end what does yxg mean thanks
So why is the uf rating so critical to match it exactly as stated on my unit if the V rating can be anything higher? I am under the impression that capacitors charge to the voltage listed on them, I have measured this in DC circuits. Is that not the case with Vac caps? If they do charge to the label V, they will then have more joules the higher the V that cap is. That makes the uf label that "must not be changed" questionable.
Very helpful
good vid.
My old capacitor us 370 50/60 6% . Can I switch to one the has 5% instead of the 6%? Everything else is the same?
Yes, that will be fine as long as your uF rating is a match. The 6% or 5% is only a tolerance rating, meaning the capacitor can test within + or - 6% or 5% of the designated rating and still be considered good. Thanks!
I have a Trane XR14 that is doing the typical buzzing sound but the fan isn't starting or running, even when bump started with a stick. The unit has two single run capacitors. One capacitor (135-162MFD) tested good, and the other (70uF) tested bad. I have a dual run 70/5uF handy. A single run exact replacement won't arrive for another couple of days. Should I be able to install the dual run using the C and HERM terminals? And yes, I did order the replacement and multiple spares from you. ;)
No measurable voltage on the white wire...
Can you please tell me the difference between a 34uf 500VPK Capacitor and a 34uf 500VAC capacitor? What I actually want to figure out is ,can I use the 500VAC cap in place of the 500VPK cap? The only difference is their size, the500VAC is about an inch and a half shorter than the 500VPK cap.
Plz recommend any book for detailed study of capacitors.
I have appliances from Japan which have 100v, but I have only 110v step down transformer, it should be possible that my appliances from Japan can be 240v? So i dont need a transformer, I'm from Philippines,tnx
My fan stopped spinning in my ac unit. The fan motor has 370 VAC written on the label. I put in a 440 capacitor. The fan ran for about 45 min then stopped and would not turn on again. Is it possible for a bad fan to blow out a capacitor? I am wondering if I need to replace fan motor???
Bryan McDaniel
If you have just replaced the capacitor, odds are you have a bad fan motor. Double check to make sure you have voltage applied to the motor. Typically, a bad motor will not cause a new capacitor to go out. If you need help locating a fan motor, let us know and we would be glad to help!
e-mail: info@northamericahvac.com
Live chat is available Mon-Fri 8a-4p (Click the live chat button at the top of our web page NorthAmericaHVAC.com )
Good luck!
North America HVAC
The model of the fan motor is: F48F97A76 Made by A.O. SmithHow much would a new motor cost?(I also sent this information to your email)
Bryan McDaniel
Your motor would run you $139.99 plus whichever shipping option you would want (from economy to next day)- here's a link to it and it would ship in less than 24 hours, and a good chance same day, depending on when ordered: www.northamericahvac.com/a-o-smith-1-4-hp-208-230v-condenser-fan-motor-odg1026-f48f97a01-f48f97a76/
Good luck!
+Bryan McDaniel I think you burnt out the moter with to much VAC.
Is +/- 5% or +/- 6% better? Can I go from +/- 6% to a +/- 5% capacitor on heat pump fan?
Oh i see this is answered below, awesome :)
Hey! This rating is only the differential. Meaning the capacitor can test + or - 5 or 6% of the original rating and still be considered good. You can go from a +/- 6% to a +/- 5%. If you need help locating a replacement, let us know! :-)
Thanks for this video. Would replacing a capacitor of 10% tolerance with 5% tolerance make a difference in performance or longevity of either motor or capacitor?
The tolerance range will not make any difference in the performance of the capacitor. The most common tolerance ranges you will see are 6% and 10% + or - and it just changed based on manufacture and what they decide to go with.
Anyone know why in the world I can't find a 6/60uF 370/400V Capacitor for our Mini Split (All Styles Brand)? The internet is full of 60/5, but I can't seem to find a 60/6 anywhere.
Unfortunately we don't sell that capacitor. If you end up unable to find one a 5/60 will work and is something that we carry. You can check out our store at northamericahvac.com to check out what else we have to offer. Thanks for watching!
Can I replace a 400/450v 35uf with a 440v 35uf?
power factor capacitor do i changed either
I have a question? so in this case can i replace a 250 Volt capacitor with a 370 Volt for my window air conditioner?
Yes, if the uF/MFD rating is correct you may do so. Thank you.
I am replacing a GE 40uf+7.5uf 440 VAC capacitor with a JARD by MARS 40 + 7.5UF 440/370 VAC/B.
The new capacitor is .5 inch thinner and .5 inch shorter than the original. I think I have the correct capacitor but the 440/370 VAC/B is throwing me off. Why does it read 440/370 VAC/B, instead of 440 VAC like the original?
Thanks,
Matt
TheMattsbay18
Hey Matt, thanks for the question. First off, you do have a proper replacement
capacitor. As mentioned in the video,
440 volt capacitors can replace 370 volt capacitors, and most HVAC technicians
are only stocking 440 volt versions these days.
Some companies, such as Jard by Mars, have decided to put 370 / 440 volt
on their 440 volt capacitor labels to help people understand that their (Jard’s)
capacitor will work in either application.
Jard still makes the 370 volt version as well, and it is simply labeled “370
volt”.
So in short- they just relabeled the 440 volt capacitors as
370 / 440 volt without changing anything else.
Sometimes, the solution makes things more complicated.
And as to the size, capacitors are constantly getting
smaller with technology increases. Even
a current GE/Genteq capacitor is going to be smaller than a GE/Genteq capacitor
from 15 years ago. Most people either
shim the capacitor in place or make a new hole in the capacitor strap.
Good luck with yours!
What does the "/B" in "VAC/B" mean? My old one has "vac/b" on it but the new one does not.
Thanks for the video btw, it was very helpful.
Question, when you up the voltage rating when you replace it, doesn’t that mean the capacitance would go down?
No, because he selects a capacitor that is designed to have a higher voltage rating and the same capacitance.
This is done by increasing the distance, and increasing the surface area. This increases the volume, which is why he spoke about a higher voltage rating capacitor being larger.
So... I can't find a 450VAC cap for temp use could I use a 440VAC that everyone around here has? I have no cool air. The unit is an inside unit so it will stay relatively cool.
Yes, you can use a 440 VAC. I know that the video says to not go down, but 450 VAC capacitors are very odd and typically hard to find. Usually, you would have drop by a lot more than 10 VAC to find a lower replacement capacitor- dropping 10 VAC will not cause any issues. Good luck and let us know if we can do anything else for you!
I JUST got finished talking with Mike and Lacey on the chat... VERY confusing that there were 4 people in the chat. Mike and Lacey were great. Debra had obviously never used chat before. Anyway... I found out that the cap I need for the Air Compressor is actually a 120mfd +/-5% 250vac 50/60hz. and I have a 130mdf +/-5%SH 250V AC 50/60hz and was now wondering if I could use it as a temp while I wait on my order to get here when I order the part from you guys.
Wilson Revelle First, I'm sorry that the chat experience wasn't up to standard for you today. As to your question, there are start capacitors and run capacitors, and the answer to your question would be different depending on which one you had. I'm guessing that you have a run capacitor- probably a round black plastic capacitor? If you can, please send a picture of the capacitor that you have installed AND the alternate capacitor that you have to info@northamericahvac.com. We can immediately confirm what you have and whether the backup capacitor you have will safely replace it. Thanks!
Oh no problem with the chat thing. Im all good and kinda found it funny. Anyway, The prob with sending a pic of the old cap is that it got lost. I finally got through to Harbor Freight and they told me that the cap I needed was a CBB60 120mfd +/-5% 250v AC 60hz. The one I have is, actually taken from a compressor at Harbor Freight off one that had a broken T-valve so the manager let me take it off, a 130mfd +/-5% 250v AC, 50/60hz. Only a difference of 10 on the mfd. I talked with some other electrical engineers on Google+ and they told me it should be fine.
Im still going to get the other but I am a starving artist and needed my compressor running so I can use my airbrush.
Gotcha. Though the capacitor is lost, I'm pretty confident that the capacitor is a start capacitor, in which case, the 130 MFD should work for you. There are two opinions in this matter- 1.) the by the book answer and 2.) the starving artist answer. If I was in your position, I'd just leave the 130 in the permanently and not worry about it. That said, whatever you are most comfortable with is the better option. Best of luck and have a great weekend!
So VAC is V(voltage), but just for another word for a capacitor?
Vac means AC ( alternating current ) voltage, it's not another word for capacitors, there are also DVC capacitors made only for dc current, the difference is that DVC capacitors have to be installed with the negative and positive facing the correct way, sort of like a diode, but with the dc caps, if there installed backwards they will blow up
KeystoneScience Thanks for responding, I had some trouble understanding before :D
+3hornthrasher no problem!
KeystoneScience That's what I did wrong! I been wondering why I blew up that cap when I tried to build that tank circuit (100mh inductor and 10uf cap on 110v AC). I actually never realized there are DC and AC caps. I knew there were ones that didn't have specific polarity, but never made the connection that all my little caps from TV circuits and what not are all from DC circuits. Love your video's by the way, and we all have always wanted to know how to build a microwave gun, but we never will lol. Thanks for the ah-hah moment I just had bro