The starting capacitor of the air conditioner is located in the compressor circuit. Sometimes it crashes. Read about the types of capacitors and their meaning.
Why do I need a starting capacitor for an air conditioner?
Household air conditioners, as a rule, do not differ in high power. Therefore, they are powered from a single-phase electrical network with a voltage of 220 volts. Most often they work on asynchronous motors equipped with an auxiliary winding. Their other name is two-phase.
The windings in the motors are arranged so that their magnetic poles are perpendicular to each other.
In the windings, the values of the rated currents and the number of turns are different, which means resistance. However, their power is equivalent.
They are connected to a capacitor called phase-shifting. Its function is to move the phase and rotate the magnetic field in a circle.
Two capacitors of the air conditioner are connected to the circuit: starting and working. The most modern models cost only the last.
The working capacitor of the air conditioner is permanently connected to the circuit, and the starting capacitor is connected only for 3 seconds, while the compressor starts. Next, the relay turns it off.
Thus, the working capacitor increases the efficiency and provides a working moment for starting the motor.
High-performance air conditioners operate on compressors with 3-phase asynchronous motors, the design of which does not include the use of capacitors.
Buying an A / C Condenser
In order to buy an air conditioner capacitor, you need to know its voltage and power.
The main task of the capacitor is to create a circular magnetic field at rated load, preventing the field from being pulled into an oval shape.
The calculation formula can be found in the directory. Although in practice the ratio is often used:
- 75 - 80 microfarads of capacity per 1 kW of motor power;
- 450 volts of capacitor voltage per standard mains voltage.
You need to buy an air conditioner condenser of the same capacity that is already installed by the manufacturer, since its parameters are accurately calculated in the factory.
The operation of the starting capacitors of the air conditioner is checked using a capacitance meter. Replacement is required when the discrepancy with the nominal is 10% or more. The capacity of the new capacitor may be slightly larger or equal to the failed one, but not less.
Types of compressor starting capacitors
Starting capacitors of the air conditioning compressor are available in nominal values from 25 to 100 microfarads in increments of 5 microfarads.
For outdoor units of non-inverter systems, special dual starting capacitors are created.
