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While cleaning the inside of my older Lennox AC Condensor, the ground wire connecting to the fan run capacitor accidentally broke free. Is it safe to run the A/C system when this capacitor is not grounded? It is currently being held in place by electrical tape but I'm concerned it might lose its connection. Some people have told me a ground isn't necessary and others say it is...what's the worst that could happen?
You want it exactly precisely as the manufacturer made it at all times.
Also know the capacitors probably will not last as long as the unit, they in many cases are now the weak link. They changed the materials a while back, the new ones are not as good. They now have a shelf life, just sitting on the shelf.
It will probably operate sort of without the ground but tempting the God of Fates is not wise. Worst case the unit will not run, it will not run with the wrong replacement capacitor, or one that has been on the shelf too long. Make this one last as long as the God's will it by giving the ground.
Also make sure it is in its clamp and not starting to go pop belly.
Agree. Usually the wires have crimp-on terminals, it's not that tough to crimp on a terminal and ground it properly to a bolt or whatever, any hardware store worthy of the name will have all the stuff you need to do this, shouldn't cost more than $20 for tool and all.
Many capacitors are now enclosed in plastic!! If yours is the old tin can type most are not truly connected to ground. They are however generally strapped to the chassis somewhere and might attain a bond to ground through the chassis. Grounding it is not necessary if the rest of the unit is grounded. If it gets a short to the shell it could bite you if you are touching it. If it's not strapped to a grounded object. All my years as an A/C mechanic it wouldn't concern me to not have a capacitor grounded. To make a long story short! It's in an enclosed grounded case to begin with. So long as you aren't just monkeying around in the A/C with the covers off......no worries.
While cleaning the inside of my older Lennox AC Condensor, the ground wire connecting to the fan run capacitor accidentally broke free. Is it safe to run the A/C system when this capacitor is not grounded? It is currently being held in place by electrical tape but I'm concerned it might lose its connection. Some people have told me a ground isn't necessary and others say it is...what's the worst that could happen?
Capacitor: 7 MF 370V 60Hz
Totally unnecessary to ground it. If you are concerned take the old capacitor to an A/C shop and buy an all plastic one for about 5 bucks!! Being grounded or not will have no affect whatsoever on performance or longevity of the part or the unit as a whole. I wouldn't be concerned one bit . Unless you have the capacitor dangling out of the protective confines of the Condenser case. If you have a swollen or defective capacitor it most certainly will affect fan operation!!
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You want it grounded................
