Motor Capacitors

A capacitor is an electronic device which stores an electric charge. They are used in single-phase motors to increase starting torque and reduce operating current.  The capacitor introduces a phase-delay on the single phase power which in effect creates a secondary phase for the motor, enabling its secondary winding to be effective. A three-phase induction motor, by contrast, does not need capacitors because it already has 3 phases, each delayed from each other by 120 degrees, to power each of the 3 separate phase windings in the motor. 

Single phase motors typically have both start capacitors and run capacitors. Some single-phase motors only have run capacitors, and some small fan motors do not have any capacitors. 

You can purchase both types of capacitors from our website using the links above, or browse through the products on this page. You can also try using the search box at the top.

We stock a full variety of both run and start capacitors.