Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Capacitor

A capacitor is an electrical device that stores energy in an electric field. It is used in ceiling fans to provide a boost of power to the motor when it starts up. The capacitor is typically located in the ceiling fan housing and is connected to the motor by two wires. If the capacitor fails, the motor will not be able to start up and the ceiling fan will not work.

Types of Capacitors

There are two main types of capacitors used in ceiling fans: electrolytic capacitors and film capacitors. Electrolytic capacitors are made from aluminum foil and a chemical electrolyte. Film capacitors are made from a thin film of metal or plastic that is coated with a dielectric material. Electrolytic capacitors have a higher capacitance than film capacitors, but they are also more likely to fail. Film capacitors have a lower capacitance than electrolytic capacitors, but they are less likely to fail.

Capacitor Failure

Capacitors can fail for a number of reasons, including:

Overheating: Capacitors can overheat if they are exposed to high temperatures.
Overvoltage: Capacitors can be damaged if they are subjected to a voltage that is higher than their rated voltage.
Mechanical damage: Capacitors can be damaged if they are physically damaged, such as being dropped or hit.
Age: Capacitors can fail over time, even if they are not subjected to any adverse conditions.

Symptoms of Capacitor Failure

The following are some of the symptoms of capacitor failure:

The ceiling fan will not start up.
The ceiling fan will start up but will not run at full speed.
The ceiling fan will make a humming noise.
The ceiling fan will vibrate excessively.

Testing a Capacitor

You can test a capacitor using a multimeter. To test a capacitor, set the multimeter to the capacitance scale and touch the probes to the terminals of the capacitor. The multimeter will display the capacitance of the capacitor. If the capacitance is below the rated capacitance, the capacitor is likely to be failed.

Replacing a Capacitor

If the capacitor in your ceiling fan has failed, you will need to replace it. To replace a capacitor, follow these steps:

Turn off the power to the ceiling fan.
Remove the ceiling fan housing.
Locate the capacitor.
Disconnect the wires from the capacitor.
Remove the capacitor from the ceiling fan housing.
Install the new capacitor in the ceiling fan housing.
Connect the wires to the new capacitor.
Replace the ceiling fan housing.
Turn on the power to the ceiling fan.

Capacitor Safety

Capacitors can store a charge even when they are disconnected from a power source. When working with capacitors, always take the following precautions: