The capacitor is a crucial component in the motor of your ceiling fan. It is responsible for the fan’s operation and speed, and it is important to keep it in good condition to ensure your fans are running properly. Fortunately, replacing a ceiling fan capacitor is a manageable DIY task that can be completed in a few steps. To help you get started, you will need the following tools and materials:
A screwdriver – You will need to remove screws holding the fan housing in place, so it is important to have a good quality screwdriver with interchangeable bits. A pair of needle-nose pliers – These will come in handy for disconnecting wires. A pen and paper – You will need to write down wire connections as you remove components so that reassembly is not interrupted by confusion about what goes where.
Before starting, make sure to take the necessary safety precautions, including turning off the breaker that supplies power to the fan and using a non-contact voltage tester to verify this in advance. Also, it is recommended to wear gloves and safety goggles while working on this project.
Once you’ve turned off the breaker, it is time to start removing the old capacitor. To do this, start by removing the screw or clips that attach the canopy to the fan. Once the canopy is removed, you will need to disconnect the wires that connect the capacitor to the motor. To do this, you will need to cut the red and grey wires as well as the (grey, brown, purple and black) wires from the fan to the pull chain switch and reverse switch.