Anyone ever had a capacitor trip a breaker?

[Chaditotx]

Yes.... I know the odds are agains this, but It could happen? The a/c unit in question has a dual run capacitor, 440v 4mf(fan) 50mf(compr). I am unusure of the capacitors condition as I just bought this home and the a/c was inoperable according to the previous owner. I just know when the thermostat sends the power on command to the outside unit Fan doesn't come on or anything, nothing does actually. That is why I suspected the capacitor in the first place. Noticed the breaker issue later.
I will try the replacement capacitor I received yesterday as soon as I can get back to the house. I do know that with the capacitor removed from the system, the breaker won't trip(doesn't mean much). Do I have a slim chance that the capacitor has shorted internally? Or should I just face the fact that my compressor is probably frozen......

Just keeping hope alive..... $$$$$

Chad :oops:

[rabadger]

If the cap goes bad the compressor will will draw high amps and the breaker will trip. Also if it does not trip the breaker the compressors internal overload will open from over heating do to the high amp draw.

If the capacitor does not do the trick have the compressor windings checked by qualified service people.

A capacitor holds an electrical charge. When all the power is off before disconnecting the wires short the terminals with a good insulated screw driver. Outside ternimals to center terminal. This should keep you from getting bit.

[Chaditotx]

Thanks Richard...

Makes sense on the high amp draw tripping the breaker, and I feel better knowing that. I appreciate the advice on discharging the capacitor! I fortunately knew ahead of time, and discharged it before any service work. I am sure there are folks out there that glow in the dark for a day or two. I've been hit with a coil from a car before, and wan't to part in the kind of amperage that home wiring offers.

I don't like the dual run capacitors, because they seem hard to troubleshoot. I was originally going to replace it with two separate ones, but I found a heck of a deal on another dual run ($30 after shipping, GE cap). I just don't like the fact both sides of the cap share the cathode.... again makes for weird troubleshooting for someone witout a good cap tester. I have a "twin" a/c unit right next to the one I am working on, and didn't use its capacitor to troubleshoot, because I found the fan side was inoperable.... it had an inline cap wire nutted on the fan end.

Thanks again for the reply Richard,

Chad