When it comes to handling a pool pump capacitor that is not working, you have to figure out the consequences that come along with it.
This is the only way you are going to control how the pool pump works and the impact it has on the electrical circuit.
It’s essential to look into this and make sure you are trending toward a useful solution. If you don’t do this, you are not going to see appropriate results. One issue you might notice is the pool pump capacitor damaging the circuit.
Will a bad pool pump capacitor trip a breaker?
A bad pool pump capacitor can trip a breaker. To fix the issue, check the circuit breaker, turn off the power, use a multimeter to test the pool pump capacitor’s voltage, and replace the capacitor if the reading is low or non-existent.
You do not want to keep using the pool pump because it is going to blow out the circuit. This is due to the power surge that will come along the way.
This article is going to show you how to fix a bad pool pump capacitor the right way and what to look for to make sure it works properly.
Table of Contents
How To Fix A Bad Pool Pump Capacitor
1. Check The Circuit Breaker
You will want to go to the circuit breaker first.
Since the pool pump capacitor can trip the breaker, you will want to see if that is the issue. Otherwise, the power might not be going through to the pool pump due to another reason.
Don’t assume this is the case as that might not be the reason for what you are dealing with.
It’s essential to check the circuit breaker and make sure everything is working as required. If the circuit breaker is tripped, you will know this is the issue that you are dealing with and it has to be addressed as soon as possible.
For now, you are not going to do anything with the circuit breaker. You will want to make sure power is not going through to the pool pump as it is time to figure out how to fix the pool pump capacitor so it does not continue to damage the circuit.
2. Turn Off The Power
You have to turn off the power.
It’s important to turn off the power and make sure things are done with a purpose. This is one of the most important elements to think about when it comes to managing a situation such as this and getting things to work out properly.
Turn off the power and then begin to assess what’s going on with the pool pump.
If you turn off the power, you will get a complete look at the pump and how it is doing. This is a must or you won’t know what to do next.
3. Use A Multimeter To Test The Pool Pump Capacitor
So, how are you going to test the pool pump capacitor?
This is a key question to think about. You need to know what is causing this issue and whether or not the pool pump capacitor has enough power running through it.
If you don’t do this, you are not going to feel confident with how things work out.
It’s important to use a multimeter to test the pool pump capacitor and ensure you are trending toward a solution that works.
The multimeter is going to give you a voltage reading.
Look at this reading to see if it is too low or inconsistent. This is a sign the pool pump capacitor has to be replaced as soon as possible.
4. Replace The Capacitor If Damaged
You are now going to have enough information to see what’s wrong with the pool pump capacitor.
For some people, the right option is to go ahead and swap out the capacitor. This is going to help fix the pool pump and make sure it is not tripping the circuit breaker.
If the pool pump is damaged, you might have to change the entire part. This is dependent on what you end up seeing in front of you.
If everything is fine and this was a one-off issue, you can turn on the power and use the pool pump again.
Final Thoughts
Will a bad pool pump capacitor trip a breaker?
Yes, a bad pool pump capacitor can trip a breaker. It is best to check the circuit breaker, turn off the power, and then use a multimeter to get a voltage reading from the capacitor. If it’s too low or inconsistent, change the capacitor.
This is the only way to get the pool pump to run the way you want it to.
If the pool pump is not working properly or causing issues with the electrical circuit, this is not going to bode well for the long-run.
