Motor Capacitor - Failure Modes

Failure Modes

A faulty run capacitor often becomes swollen, with the sides or ends bowed or bulged out further than usual: it can be clear to see that the capacitor has failed because it is swollen or even blown apart with capacitor oil leaking. Some capacitors are built with a "Pressure Sensitive Interrupter" design that causes them to fail before internal pressures can cause serious injury. One design causes the top of the capacitor to expand and break internal wiring.

"Weak Capacitor" - Over many years of use the capacitance of the capacitor (measured in microfarads) reduces. As a result the motor may fail to start or run at full power.

IEC/EN 60252-1 2001 specifies levels of protection for motor run capacitors

  • P0 - no protection;
  • P1 - fail open circuit or short circuit
  • P2 - fail open circuit only

Read more about this topic:  Motor Capacitor

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