Run Capacitor Value - ECN Electrical Forums

I was servicing a generic pool pump motor. It's a Century Electric (Magnetek) 1 hp, 3450 rpm, 230/115 volt, 56J frame, part #B828.

I noticed the capacitor was badly rusting. I couldn't clearly read the capacitor's label. It appears to be 20 mfd but I need to verify that value. Possiby some of you have serviced pool motors. Does 20 mfd seem to be a reasonable value for the above described motor? I've tried to locate data on it but without success. Any help greatly appreciated... I may need a new capacitor soon.

Century has been bought out by A.O. Smith, 20 mfd sounds reasonable to me, here is link that may provide more information. http://www.aosmithmotors.com/concertox/script.exe/aosepc/crm/ddl/serviceShopLoc.html

20 µF is a reasonable value for a 1 HP motor.
These pump motors start usually under lightly loaded conditions.

Normally 55 µF per kW for medium loaded motors I go by so the 20 µF should work fine.

From Alan Belson:

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I'd go for about 20uF per horsepower, if you can't read the OE label, but I'm told by my friendly Scot neighbor "dinna gae any higher".

And I second the comments about frequent starts - Pic, "balloon capacitor", is what happened when I pushed a 3hp motor too hard.
BTW the motor still just about started, [after a struggle], which reason led to the discovery of the problem.

Rod, 55uF per kW?

[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 09-27-2006).]