How to check the water pump motor capacitor, Is it still good or not?

The function of the capacitor in a single-phase water pump motor is very critical. Without a capacitor, the single-phase water pump motor will not be able to start automatically. We have also discussed this in the previous article regarding Several causes of single-phase water pumps not rotating and only buzzing and getting hot. In this article we will discuss how to check the water pump motor capacitor, is it still good or not?

Apart from being a starter, the capacitor also functions to help the main coil of a single-phase motor so that the motor rotates faster and stronger.

So how do you check whether the capacitor is still good or not?

To check whether the single-phase water pump motor capacitor is still good or not, we can do it in 2 ways. The first way is without using tools, we just connect the capacitor directly to the power source and short-circuit the capacitor. The second way is to use a resistance measuring device or what we usually know as a Multitester.

Provides power supply to the capacitor and short circuits the capacitor

I actually don’t recommend this first method because it is quite dangerous, especially for those of you who are unfamiliar with electricity. However, if you feel comfortable and safe doing it, then make sure you do it correctly according to the following instructions.

Please connect your 2 capacitor cables to the AC 220 power source then let it sit for approximately 10 seconds. The cable can be reversible, no problem because this is a non-polar capacitor.

If so, please remove the capacitor from the power source carefully, then short-circuit the 2 capacitor cables like the picture below.

What happened?

If you see sparks accompanied by a loud explosion, it means your capacitor is still good. However, if there is no spark or only a small spark, it means the capacitor is damaged and must be replaced with a new one.

Warning!

Before doing this, once again I warn you to be very careful. If you touch the tip of the capacitor wire while it is still alive, you will feel a severe electric shock! The consequences can be very dangerous, including death. It depends on how your body responds to the electric shock that occurs.

Check using a Multitester!

The second way that is accurate and very safe is to check the capacitor using a multitester.

The disadvantage of this second method is that not everyone has this tool. This tool is usually only owned by electricians who work in electricity.

If you have a multitester (the example I use is the SAMWA YX-360TR analogue multitester), please connect it as in the picture below. Set the multimeter selector to position X1K or X100 and connect to the capacitor.

What has happened?

1. If after connecting it turns out the multimeter needle moves to the right and then returns to its original position, it means the capacitor is still good.
2. If the needle moves to the right and does not return, it means the capacitor is damaged.
3. If the needle does not move at all it means the capacitor is damaged.
4. If the needle does not move when connected, try reversing the gauge wire. If after turning the needle moves to the right and returns to its original position, it means the capacitor is still good. If after turning it over it doesn’t move, it means the capacitor is damaged.
5. If it moves even a little, you can be sure that your capacitor is damaged and must be replaced.

Note:

Checking capacitors with a charge of 10 uF and below must use resistance measurements in the X100 or X1K range. Beyond that, the measuring instrument will not detect and the measurement will fail.

Those are 2 ways to check the condition of the water pump motor capacitor, whether it is still good or not. Do you have another method? Please leave your comments in the comments column below.

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