Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
- Analog volt ohmmeter (optional)
- Digital voltmeter with capacitor testing function (optional)
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Step 1
Remove all electrical power from the motor circuit by disconnecting the power plug or shutting off the circuit breaker. Use the screwdriver and remove the two screws that hold the protective cover in place over the round capacitor. Generally the capacitor is mounted on top of the motor.
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Step 2
Pull the two power connectors from the end of the capacitor using the needle nose pliers. Set the capacitor on its end, so the connectors are facing upward, on a firm worktable surface.
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Step 3
Use either an analog volt ohmmeter or a digital volt ohmmeter with a capacitor testing function. Connect the leads into the meter where the red lead is in the volt connector and the black lead is placed into the common connector. Turn the meter to the volts position. Hold the two leads, one each, onto the two connectors. This will complete a discharge circuit. Hold the leads onto the connectors for one minute, reverse the leads and hold in place for another 60 seconds. The capacitor should now be discharged.
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Step 4
Check the capacitor using an analog volt ohmmeter. Switch the meter to "ohms". Move the red lead from the volts connector on the meter and into the ohms connection. Touch the leads, one each, to the capacitors connectors. Hold in place for 10 seconds. Reverse the leads. Observe the meter. As soon as the leads are touched to the capacitors connectors, the meter should "jump". This indicates that the capacitor is storing a charge and discharging on the reversal of the meters leads. Repeat the test several times. If the capacitor failed this test. Replace the capacitor.
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Step 5
Use the digital voltmeter for checking the capacitor. Move the voltmeters selector switch to the capacitor mode. It may also be shown as a symbol shown in quotation marks "--|( ". Touch the leads to the connectors on the capacitor. The meter will show either "good" or "bad". Follow the meters indication and replace the capacitor with a "bad" reading.
