

- HOW TO CHECK SINGLE PHASE MOTOR WINDING WITH MULTIMETER HOW TO
- HOW TO CHECK SINGLE PHASE MOTOR WINDING WITH MULTIMETER SERIES

Prepare to test the capacitor: set your VOM or DMM to Ohms reading and set the ohms to its highest setting.Number of terminals and any terminal identification markings While you have the capacitor in hand and after it has been discharged, take note a of all of the markings on the capacitor including Remove the capacitor: f possible, remove the capacitor from the electric motor.Watch out: after taking note of the various wire colors or identifies and labeling them if necessary to relate the wire to the terminals on the capacitor, then disconnect all external wires from the capacitor before testing it įor a combination start/run capacitor the terminals on the cap will be marked Watch out: you may also need to discharge the capacitor to ground by touching both terminals together using a metal screwdriver that you hold only by its insulated handle.ĭon't touch the metal screwdriver shaft or if you live, you'll never forget the experience! There are dangers of electrical shock or worse.

Watch out: First, turn off electrical power to the motor.
HOW TO CHECK SINGLE PHASE MOTOR WINDING WITH MULTIMETER HOW TO
How to Use a VOM to Check a Motor Capacitor - step by step A quick test of the starter capacitor itself can indicate that it is faulty as we detail here.

Intermittent compressor hard-starting: A bad starter capacitor can cause the compressor to fail to start sometimes while other times it seems to start and run OK.Ĭompressor hard starting, fan runs OK: If the compressor is having trouble starting or won't start at all but the condenser fan runs just fine, we figure it's a bad start capacitor or possibly a bad run capacitor.Ĭompressor and condenser fan both won't start: we suspect a bad capacitor that is designated as a combination start/run capacitor unit wired to both devices.Ī service technician can test for a failing motor by measuring the current draw in amps during start and run, and by comparing the result to information on the motor's data tag. See REFRIGERANT PRESSURE READINGS & CHARTS These symptoms may come and go depending on the operating state of the A/C or heat pump system: when the system is operating under load (high refrigerant pressures are present) the compressor motor will have a harder time starting than when the system has been turned off for some period and refrigerant pressures are equalized.
HOW TO CHECK SINGLE PHASE MOTOR WINDING WITH MULTIMETER SERIES
This article series gives electric motor start-run capacitor and hard-start capacitor installation instructions to get a hard-starting air conditioner compressor motor, fan motor, refrigerator, or freezer compressor or other electric motor (such as a well pump) going. This article gives a description of electric motor capacitor test procedures to determine if a capacitor is damaged or working normally & test procedures to measure the capacitor's capacitance or microfarads, MFD, or uF to determine if it is working within its rated capacitance range. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest.
