Fundamentals of Electricity

Capacitors and Start Relays

1. A start capacitor is added to a single phase motor for what purpose?

a. To create back electromotive force
b. To increase the starting torque of the motor
c. To increase the speed of the motor
d. To limit the amount of voltage to the motor

2. When testing a capacitor with an ohmmeter, the meter should have

a. At least an Rx100 range
b. At least an Rx1000 range
c. At least an Rx10 range
d. You can’t use an ohmmeter on a capacitor

3. You measure 12,000 ohms of resistance between terminals 2 and 5 on a potential

start relay. What is the problem?
a. The relay coil is shorted
b. The reading is too high and the relay needs to be replaced
c. The relay switch is stuck open
d. There is no problem. This reading is normal

4. Capacitors rated for continuous duty use are

a. Run capacitors
b. Start capacitors
c. In a plastic container
d. All of the above

5. A normal resistance reading between terminals 1 and 2 on a PSR is

a. Infinite ohms
b. 10,000 ohms
c. Zero ohms
d. None of the above

6. The value of back EMF used to open the contacts on a PSR is called
a. Drop out
b. Pick up
c. Starting torque
d. Full load amps
7. When a run capacitor must be replaced
a. The MFD rating of the new capacitor must be 20% greater than the original
b. The voltage rating of the new capacitor must be less than the original
c. The MFD and voltage rating of the new capacitor must be within 2.5% of the original
d. The voltage rating of the new capacitor may be greater but not less than the original

8. Capacitors are rated by their

a. Microfarads and voltage limit
b. Microforms and amps limit
c. Millivolts and farad capacity
d. Microfarads and temperature limit

9. What energizes the coil of a current start relay?

a. Back EMF
b. Locked Rotor Amps
c. Pick up voltage
d. Starting torque

10. The proper way to discharge a capacitor is to

a. Connect a 20,000 Ω, 2 W resistor across the terminals
b. Connect a 200,000 Ω, 20 W resistor across the terminals
c. Connect a screwdriver across the terminals
d. Touch both terminals with your hand

11. The best meter to use to test a capacitor is a

a. Dedicated capacitor analyzer
b. A watt meter
c. A volt meter
d. An ohmmeter

12. What is the primary reason for using capacitors on electric motors?
a. To add more voltage
b. To increase starting torque
c. To increase stopping torque
d. They look nice

13. What is the purpose of oil or powder in a capacitor?

a. To dissipate heat
b. To reduce noise
c. To increase torque
d. Both A and B
14. Start capacitors are left in the circuit
a. All the time the motor is running
b. 2 to 5 minutes
c. Until the thermostat turns it off
d. No more than 3 seconds

15. A high MFD capacitor will produce

a. Greater phase shift than a smaller capacitor
b. Less phase shift than a smaller capacitor
c. A faster motor speed
d. A slower motor speed

16. A start capacitor has its rupture disk blown out, indicating overheating. You check
the PSR with your ohmmeter and it checks normal. What could be wrong with the
relay?
a. The relay coil is burned out
b. The relay switch is stuck open
c. The relay switch is stuck closed
d. Nothing is wrong. The relay did its job and allowed the capacitor to overheat.

17. What energizes the coil of a potential start relay?

a. Starting amperage (LRA)
b. Back EMF
c. Centrifugal force
d. Starting torque

18. What opens the normally closed contacts of a relay?

a. Energizing the relay coil
b. De-energizing the relay coil
c. Both A and B
d. None of the above

19. The primary purpose of a run capacitor is to

a. Increase starting torque
b. Increase running efficiency
c. Dissipate the heat generated by the motor
d. Energize the coil of the potential start relay

20. A run capacitor will be in a

a. Metal container
b. Plastic container
c. A clear container
d. A heavy paper container=