How To Check Blown Fuses And Capacitor Cells
In Fixed Power Factor Correction Capacitors |
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Trouble: Fuse light is illuminated.
- This indicates that a fuse is blown. Power surges or harmonics are two common causes of fuse failure.
- Disconnect power from the capacitor unit and wait one minute after the power has been disconnected to allow capacitors to discharge.
- Check affected capacitor following steps below: How to Test a Capacitor Cell
- Replace affected fuse.
Trouble: Amber light is illuminated in KIM model PFCC
- This may indicate that a fuse is blown or the capacitor has lost capacitance.
- Check amperage draw of capacitor unit while it is connected to power based on following table. If the amperage is low complete the next three steps.
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Applied Voltage
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208V
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240V
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480V
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600V
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Amps / KVAR
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2.78
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2.41
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1.20
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0.96
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- Disconnect power from the capacitor unit and wait one minute after the power has been disconnected to allow the capacitors to discharge.
- Check the fuses using an ohmmeter. Replace any blown fuses.
- Check the capacitors following steps found in steps below: How to Test a Capacitor Cell
- Replace bad capacitor cells.
How to Test a Capacitor Cell:
With a Capacitance Meter
Capacitor cells are rated in microfarad and voltage. The easiest way to test a cell is to measure the microfarads with a capacitance meter.
- Disconnect power from the capacitor unit and wait one minute after the power has been disconnected to allow the capacitors to discharge.
- Measure microfarads using capacitance meter. The microfarads should be equal to the microfarad rating or up to 5% over the rating.
- If microfarads are below the minimum, the cell is going bad.
- Replace bad capacitor cells.
Visual Inspection of Cell
If a capacitor meter is not readily available, the status of a cell can sometimes be determined visually.
- If the cell can is "bulged out" or "pouched up" on the top, it is definitely bad.
- Disconnect power from the capacitor unit and wait one minute after the power has been disconnected to allow the capacitors to discharge.
- Replace bad capacitor cells.
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