I want to take apart an old fridge. How do I find and discharge the capacitor? What's the worst I could get shocked if I mess this up?
2007-04-07 09:01:30 · 9 answers · asked by actaha 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
It would be very unlikely that you'd find a charged capacitor. Electronic circuits for the last fifty years or so have been required to have bleeder resistors to slowly bleed the charge off to ground when they're powered down. About the only ones you have to worry about are TV's. The picture tube will retain a charge for one hell of a long time as it will recharge if it isn't tied to ground.
2007-04-07 09:13:34 · answer #1 · answered by mustanger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to avoid being shocked by the capacitor is to leave the fridge unplugged for 24 hours. The cap should dischage on its on by then. It should be located near the compressor. If you don't want to wait, be SURE the fridge is unplugged, locate the capacitor, carefully remove the cover over the wires attached to the capacitor and using a well insulated screwdriver, short across the terminals of the capacitor. You may or may not see a spark or arc. Do this several times. Be careful, the charge carried in a large capacitor can easily KILL YOU!!!
2007-04-07 09:30:32 · answer #2 · answered by Ron B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know the only capacitor you are likely to find would be on an induction motor. This would be connected to motor windings all the time so would not hold a charge and therefore be safe.
If in doubt keep out, but you can always make up a lead with a resistor to discharge capacitors if you are worried.
Don't let the refrigerant escape! Remember the ozone layer.
2007-04-07 09:09:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the WORST you could get shocked is pretty bad. Make sure it's unplugged. Use ONE HAND only, keep the other behind your back or in your pocket. Use some rubber-handled needle-nose pliers or something similar and short across the caps. The caps are gonna be cylinder looking things. But if you're not even sure what they look like, maybe it's not a good idea. Caps can hold several times the line voltage, depending on the circuit.
2007-04-07 09:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by dreamed1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The other answerers got it right (of course), but for a clear understanding one need not resort to "Voltage" which is a derived property. More easily it can be understood in terms of force: when the plates are charged there are a lot of electrons on one side of the capacitor. Since there are many, they are close to each other so they push each other out with greater force. When there are fewer left, the repulsion is less because their distance on average is higher, so they will be pushed out less forcefully. A lower value of the current results.
2016-05-19 04:53:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the if it was a monitor it is gona be very dangerous but for a fridge the voltage can reach about 50V max which is very hard to kill with but if u want to discharge it u need a screw attached to the gound with a wile and u need to attach that wire in all kathoud side of the capasitors in the fridge cercuit the kathoud side is the one with a line one, leave the wire attached ther for about 5 min after that it will be safe to woke on it
i hope this will help u
:)
2007-04-07 09:10:48 · answer #6 · answered by sam19000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the fridge is old it may also contain either halocarbons (freon) or other toxic compounds in the cooling mechanism. I would not recommend that you proceed with this exercise but find a recycling centre to take the fridge.
2007-04-07 09:05:29 · answer #7 · answered by davidbgreensmith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will take the formula of c=q/a and then you will be measure the discharging
2007-04-07 09:14:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could kill u but u may be lucky.
2007-04-07 12:25:49 · answer #9 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋