Motor start and motor run capacitors

Start capacitors
Motor start capacitors are used during the motor startup phase and are disconnected from the circuit once the
rotor reaches a predetermined speed, which is usually about 75% of the maximum speed for that motor type.
These capacitors usually have capacitance values of over 70 F. They come in various voltage ratings,
depending on the application they were intended for.
Run capacitors
Some single phase AC motor designs use motor run capacitors, which are left connected to the auxiliary coil
even after the start capacitor is disconnected by the centrifugal switch. These designs operate by creating a
rotating magnetic field. Motor run capacitors are designed for continuous duty, and remain powered whenever
the motor is powered, which is why electrolytic capacitors are avoided, and low-loss polymer capacitors are
used instead. The capacitance value of run capacitors is usually lower than the capacitance of start capacitors,
and is often in the range of 1.5 F to 100 F. Choosing a wrong capacitance value for a motor can result in an
uneven magnetic field, which can be observed as uneven motor rotation speed, especially under load. This can
cause additional noise from the motor, performance drops and increased energy consumption, as well as
additional heating, which can cause the motor to overheat.
Applications
Motor start and run capacitors are used in single-phase AC induction motors. Such motors are used whenever a
single-phase power supply is more practical than a three-phase power supply, such as in domestic appliances.
They are not as efficient as three-phase AC induction motors, however. In fact, single-phase AC motors are 2 to
4 times less efficient than three-phase AC motors, which is why they are used only for less powerful motors.
Typical applications which utilize start and run motor capacitors include power tools, washing machines, tumble
dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners and compressors.
Dual run capacitors
A dual "run capacitor" supports two electric motors, such as in large air conditioner or heat pump units, with
both a fan motor and a compressor motor. It saves space by combining two physical capacitors into one case.
The dual capacitor has 3 terminals labeled "C", "FAN", and "HERM", which stand for the Common, Fan, and
HERMetically sealed compressor.
Dual capacitors come in a variety of sizes, depending on the capacitance (F), such as 40 plus 5 F, and also the
voltage. A 440 volt capacitor can be used in place of a 370 volt, but not a 370 in place of a 440 volt.[2] The
capacitance must stay the same within 5% of its original value.[2] Round cylinder-shaped dual run capacitors
are commonly used for air conditioning, to help in the starting of the compressor and the condenser fan motor.
[2] An oval dual run capacitor could be used instead of a round capacitor, but the mounting strap should be
changed to better fit the oval shape.

A typical motor start capacitor, as can be seen by its black color and can shape