How to Test and Check an HVAC Capacitor with Multimeter

For me, it's not unusual when moving from one building to another, met with engineers building that still lack analysis capability, most of them still rely on trial and error without the proper checks based on the basis of each component in a refrigeration machine.

Simple case that I have encountered in a building is, a building engineer reported that AC Split 1 PK size they are troubled by the condition of the room was not cold compressor off and then vibrate continuously repeated, they had concluded the damage that the capacitor must be replaced.
When I asked if the capacitor is checked using measuring devices? and whether the roll compressor have been checked using measuring devices? they answered the roll compressor was measured by grounding and no beep sound that means the coil is not short, but they do not know how to ascertain the condition of the capacitor.


If you see, it is very unfortunate, so I try to explain a bit how to test HVAC capacitor with multimeter as material knowledge.

• Remove all connectors are connected to the capacitor.
• Perform a short circuit at the foot of the capacitor to ensure that the cargo has been discharged.

• Use a multimeter to select "uF".
• Attach the multimeter probes on each leg of the capacitor, the capacitance value here can be seen with a tolerance of 5%.

And, for clearly describing related to Air Conditioned, here is a picture diagram including the name of parts.