What are the common causes of compressor capacitor failure?

Compressor capacitor failure often causes equipment such as air conditioners or refrigerators to operate improperly, or even damage the compressor. Here are some common causes of compressor capacitor failure:

1. Aging or damaged capacitors
After long-term use, capacitors lose their capacitance due to the degradation of internal decomposition substances, and thus cannot provide sufficient starting or running power, resulting in the compressor not being able to start or operate normally. Especially in high temperature or humidity environments, the life of the capacitor will be greatly shortened.

2. Overvoltage or unstable voltage
Excessive voltage fluctuations in the power supply or exceeding the rated operating range of the capacitor may cause insulation damage to the capacitor or even burn the capacitor. This is common when there is a problem with the power line or the equipment is not connected properly.

3. Capacitor capacity mismatch
If the replacement capacitor capacity (microfarads) does not match the original capacitor, it may not be able to provide the required starting or running power for the compressor. This may cause difficulty in starting the compressor, unstable operation, or even damage to the compressor.

4. Overheating
The compressor capacitor generates heat when it works. If the capacitor fails to dissipate heat effectively (e.g., poor installation position or radiator failure), overheating can cause the dielectric inside the capacitor to deteriorate, causing the capacitor to fail.

5. Poor contact or loose wiring
If the wiring between the capacitor and the compressor is loose or in poor contact, the capacitor will not work properly, which will affect the start and operation of the compressor. Poor contact may also cause arcing or short circuits, further damaging the capacitor and other electronic components.

6. Poor capacitor quality
Using substandard or low-quality capacitors is also a common cause of failure. Low-quality capacitors have a short service life and are prone to performance degradation or failure, affecting the normal operation of the entire compressor system.

7. Frequent starting and stopping
Frequently starting and stopping the compressor for a long time will increase the load on the capacitor, causing increased capacitor loss, especially without proper delay, which can easily cause premature aging of the capacitor.

8. External environmental factors
External environmental factors such as high humidity, extreme temperatures or air pollution may accelerate the aging process of the capacitor, affecting the working performance of the capacitor and thus affecting the normal operation of the compressor.

If you encounter a situation where the compressor cannot start or has difficulty starting, it is very important to check whether the capacitor is faulty. Regular inspection and replacement of aging capacitors can effectively extend the service life of the equipment.

CBB65-R3