small capacitor

seabee570

I have many small ptac units that use a 2uf capacitor for evaporator blower...can I use a 4 uf in its place safely? I was always taught that you can use a smaller cap,but try not to use a larger one? so...can I use the 4uf's?

Eugene Silberstein 3

Capacitor Replacement

When replacing capacitors, the microfarad rating of the new capacitor should not differ from the origianl by more than ten percent. Since you are dealing with 2 microfarad capacitors, installing a 4 microfarad capacitor would be increasing the capacitance by 100 percent. This can result in the overheating of the motor.

The voltage rating on the capacitor, however, can be exceeded, as this is the dielectric breakdown voltage and not the operating voltage of the device.

Steve Ebels_3

Assuming

This is a motor run capacitor of more or less standard oval dimensions, Grainger has a 2mfd/370VAC in stock. It's part number 6X650 and it's 2 1/8" tall, 2 3/16" wide and 1 5/16" deep.

Hope that helps.