Instructions / Assembly

Why are there so many new ratings?
• AC motor run capacitors are energy storage devices.
In recent years, energy saving and energy management
have become more critical than ever as HVAC equipment
designs have been focused on ever higher efficiency
levels. SEER, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is the
common standard by which air conditioning systems can
be judged. The higher the SEER rating, the lower the cost
to run the system.
• Higher levels of energy efficiency require capacitors with
greater energy storage capacity. The new run capacitor
models with higher microfarad ratings have been
developed to accommodate higher system efficiency
requirements.
Is there a difference between capacitors
specified by OEM’s and those sold in the
aftermarket?
YES
• OEM run capacitors are generally manufactured with
stronger dielectrics (polypropylene film, positioned
between the capacitor’s plates) than aftermarket run
capacitors. Stronger dielectrics result from greater film
thickness. By comparison, OEM specified dielectric is
between 17.2% and 20.8% greater than general
aftermarket ratings. All USA run capacitors
are designed and built to OEM specifications.
• In some cases, there are different terminal requirements
for specific OEM applications. That is why all
USA run capacitors have 4 spade quick connect terminals
for maximum flexibility in wiring.
Can 440 Volt capacitors be used to replace
370 Volt models?
YES
• USA now offers 440/370 volt dual voltage
rated AC motor run capacitors.
How can quality be determined?
Today’s AC motor run capacitors must meet rigid
requirements to qualify for the two most important HVAC/R
Industry specifications, EIA 456A and Tecumseh H-115.
All USA motor run capacitors meet these
demanding specifications. That means contractors can
install USA run capacitors with the utmost of
confidence.
EIA 456A, a standard set by the Electronics Industries
Association, calls for testing at 125% of a capacitor’s rated
voltage and 100 degrees C above its rated temperature for
2,000 hours. This simulates 60,000 hours of operation in
the field. The 1st year failure rate must be less than ½ of
1% in order for USA run capacitors to meet
this spec.
EIA 456A is an extremely rigorous specification that amply
defines the best and most needed characteristics of an AC
motor run capacitor.
The Tecumseh H-115 test calls for 150% of rated voltage at
10°C above rated temp for 500 hours. The capacitance
cannot change more than 5% during the test.
What does 85°C temperature rating mean?
Recently, there have been claims regarding run capacitors
manufactured to an 85°C specification. This sounds
impressive, yet strange. Eighty-five degrees C performance
is not a typical specification. The temperature standard for
rating capacitors is 70°C. As a rule of thumb, for every
10 degrees C increase over a capacitor’s rated temperature,
there is a 50% reduction in life. A run capacitor built to an
85°C specification must have increased dielectric film
thickness and then, consequently, a larger case in most
ratings. All of this does not help a capacitor perform its
primary function, storing energy. No major HVAC/R OEM
specifies 85°C as a requirement for run capacitor application
and use in their equipment.
• Why are there so many new ratings?
• Is there a difference between capacitors
specified by OEM’s and capacitors sold
in the aftermarket?
• Can 440 Volt capacitors be used to
replace 370 Volt models?
• How can quality be determined?
• What does 85°C temperature rating mean?
USA Motor Run Capacitors
5
Year
Warranty
!