During the summer months when the strain on air conditioning units is at its highest is the time when failure is most likely to occur. When an air conditioning unit requires repair, there is an 85% chance that a capacitor has failed. In fact, capacitors are the most replaced part in any air conditioner. In this article, we will take a look at what a capacitor does, why it is the most likely part to fail and some tips on recognizing when a capacitor is failing.
What is a Capacitor
Essentially, a capacitor is an electronic component that holds an electrical charge, much like a battery. In fact, there are two different types of capacitors to carry out these tasks, to identify them easily they are called start and run capacitors. If you have ever seen a circuit board, you may have seen one. They are usually cylindrical in the case of starter capacitors, and they are usually oblong metal cases in run capacitors. In an air conditioning systems, the capacitor is connected to motors that start and power the compressor and fans. The capacitor sends short bursts of their stored voltage to start these motors and maintain their operation.
Why Does a Capacitor Fail?
All electrical components are subject to stress; they can be overworked, and they degrade in efficiency as they age. This is true of capacitors in many different kinds of devices. Many people that build their own computers actually remove stock capacitors on motherboards that they purchase and replace them with higher quality ones. Much like a battery, a capacitor loses its ability to store an electrical charge over time. They can also become damaged due to excessive heat, which is also to be expected in an air conditioning system operating in summer months.
How Can You Tell if a Capacitor is Going to Fail?
When a capacitor starts to fail, you may hear a distinctive clicking sound coming from your air conditioning unit. When the capacitor finally does fail, you will have an air conditioner that will have difficulty starting. This will also mean that the motor will be under strain when it is running causing the air conditioner to shut down. The result will be a lack of cooling, and other components can be damaged such as the compressor. Obviously, it is vitally important that a system is not run when a capacitor has failed as the repair bill could end up being much larger.
Is it Easy to Replace a Capacitor?
Unless you are a qualified HVAC trained technician, it is strongly advised that you do not try to replace damaged components yourself. A trained professional will identify the damaged components using an ohmmeter to show continuity. There are many different kinds of capacitors to choose from and it is important to get the right one. The replacement must have the same value as the defective part, and if a suitable capacitor is not available, it may be necessary to install a pair of capacitors wired in parallel. Although they are small, you may find that handling capacitors can give you quite a shock if they are handled incorrectly. Attempting a repair without adequate knowledge could further damage the system and drive up the repair bill.