What does a pool pump capacitor do? Think of your pool pump capacitor as your pool pump’s battery. It functions the same as a car battery, giving your pump’s motor the required energy to reach the critical velocity (or RPM) before switching over to another power source.
What happens when a pool pump capacitor goes bad?
When your pool pump tries to turn on, the capacitor may be bad if you can smell a burnt electrical smell. An expired pool pump capacitor may also have a bulged outer shell. Whatever method you use, it’s important to proceed with caution and not to try and start you pump too much as it can cause damage.
How do I test my pool pump capacitor?
- Shut off the power to the pump with the breaker switch in the nearby breaker box.
- Open the pump motor cover. …
- Drain all stored power from the capacitor. …
- Remove either of the wires from a terminal on the capacitor. …
- Test the capacitor with an analog multimeter if it is rated at 150 microfarads or less.
