Capacitor Test under Load 3D

In this 3D animation, Bryan Orr with HVAC School explains how to test a run capacitor properly while the HVAC system is under load. He covers the importance of capacitors for motor efficiency and reliability.

This video provides a step-by-step process for testing capacitors under load using a multimeter to measure amperage and voltage. Bryan shares the formula to calculate microfarads and explains what capacitor readings indicate a need for replacement. This easy-to-follow tutorial is useful for both maintenance and service calls.

Bryan emphasizes safety and meter accuracy as critical factors. He also mentions the free under-load capacitor testing calculator available in the HVAC School mobile app. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned technician, this 3D video provides valuable tips for assessing capacitor performance. Check out HVAC School for more in-depth training!

[AARONJL]

These videos are great for reviewing with my technicians. Thank you!!

[manschool]

Channels like yours have done so much to legitimize the HVAC trade. Gone are the beer can cold old-timers just winging it. I realize now, most of what I was taught was wrong but enough to get by. Thank you

[kyleinthought]

Thanks from an engineer who appreciates all that tradesmen know and do.

[hvacresidentialbasics]

I teach all the new guys this and they are blown away 🎉

[j.carver]

This was perfect. I don't have a multimeter with capacitor setting, so I was able to figure out if my capacitor was good or bad under load following this video. Thank you!

[spelunkerd]

I get the practicality of a specific number that is easy to remember, and I love the way you can prove functional capacitance indirectly. For those interested, recall that Z=1/(2*Pi*f*C), and that Z=V/I. So, rearrange and you get C =I/(2*pi*f*V). Then note that you want the answer in microfarads, not farads, so multiply by 10^6. You get C= 10^6/(376.99)* (I/V), when in the 60Hz environment of North America. The constant simplifies to 2652. What I find interesting is that you don't need the phase shift angle of current to voltage to calculate this value, and you don't seem to need RMS values. Presumably the waveform is close enough to a sine wave, and the capacitance is so close to a pure -90 deg phase shift, that those details wash out.

[greg]

Another quick and good video. Very well laid out and informative, thank you!

[donkeygat]

I use this test in the hvac school app like there’s no tomorrow ❤

[josephNguyen-rxnd]

Thank you so much for your video teaching

[kingosaku]

Can a fieldpiece’s MFD setting be used to measure while running?

[kennethlobo]

U need more than a Thumbs up.Great video.truly great knowledge being imparted by U.

[YTsux-]

I did not know the plus or minus percentage was an out of the box spec.
We often recommend replacing the blower motors that have been running with extremely low capicitors as they often fail within a month or so of changing a run cap.
Have you experienced this and is there a percentage where you'd recommend replacing the motor in this situation?
TY in advance Bryan.

[Ali_Haji_SouthAfrica]

This Vid made me Subscribe to your channel 🙏
Well explained

[mikebrown]

Excellent can you do contactor as well. Nice golden nuggets you dropped in this video. Small but mighty

[HumansArevil]

i there any game or website that help you like this.

[TaylorLeteff]

I have the exact meter that he keeps showing. It always read like .2-.4 amps when not around a wire or anything. and I don’t know why. Is this because it’s a true rms?? Or is it broken?

[m.a.]

I was shown this method by a senior guy when I was a new tech & didn't know any better. After almost getting shocked (more than once) I retired this method as I personally think it's super sketchy.
I prefer to just shut the unit off &. Test the old fashioned way. The 60 seconds it saves you isn't worth getting electrocuted over in my opinion.

[johnconnor]

I didn’t know the % printed on capacitor was just acceptable error for new ones.