Motor Start & Run Capacitor Duty Cycles
Motor Start & Run Capacitor Duty Cycles
(OP)
I have had a 240VAC motor that has blown up two sets of Start & Run capacitors in the last three months. The motor has a 20 seconds on 20 seconds off duty cycle when it is triggered, and this cycle could be on for 4 to 5 minutes. Is this short duty cycle likely to be the cause of the capacitor failure? I have read that capacitors do have a certain charge/discharge maximum cycle that if exceeded can shorten their life. The motor supplier is naturally reluctant to discuss that this could be a possibility !!





RE: Motor Start & Run Capacitor Duty Cycles
At the very least it should probably be a 3phase motor(sans caps) or a 3ph motor run by a VFD.
Anyway, can you rest your hand on the motor and caps after a 4 or 5 minute session?
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Motor Start & Run Capacitor Duty Cycles
RE: Motor Start & Run Capacitor Duty Cycles
RE: Motor Start & Run Capacitor Duty Cycles
Try a higher Voltage rated run Cap.
Or buy 4 run Caps of the same rating as you now have and connect them in series parallel. Whichever is more convenient.
Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter