Articles
How-to guides and capacitor diagnosis articles — written for DIYers, not specialists.
What size capacitor does your pool pump need? How to read the µF and voltage off your own pump, typical ranges, and CBB60/CBB65 vs CD60. NZ guide.
5 signs your pump capacitor is failingThe 5 most common signs of a failing pump capacitor, what they mean for your motor, and how to check and replace it safely in NZ.
Run vs start capacitor: which does my pump use?Run vs start capacitor explained for pump motors: how they differ, how to tell which your pump uses, and CBB60/CBB65 vs CD60 body codes. NZ guide.
How to read a pump capacitor label (µF & voltage)Learn how to read a pump capacitor label: µF, MFD, voltage rating, tolerance and frequency markings, so you order the right replacement in NZ.
Pump capacitor wiring: 2-terminal vs 3-terminalPump capacitor wiring explained: 2-terminal single run caps vs 3-terminal dual-run caps, terminal types, and why to photograph wiring first.
Pressure pump won’t build pressure: check the capacitorPressure pump not building pressure? A weak capacitor can stop the motor reaching full speed. NZ DIY guide to diagnose safely and find the right part.
Pool pump hums but won’t start? Check the capacitorPool pump hums but won’t start? A failed capacitor is the usual cause. NZ DIY guide to diagnose safely and pick the right CBB60/CBB65 replacement.
How to test a pump capacitor with a multimeterHow to test a pump capacitor with a multimeter in capacitance (µF) mode. NZ DIY guide: safe discharge, healthy vs failed readings, tolerance.
CBB60 vs CBB65 vs CD60: which for your pump?CBB60 vs CBB65 vs CD60 explained: run vs start capacitors, duty type, terminals and how to pick the right one for your NZ pump.
Can I fit a higher µF or voltage pump capacitor?Can you fit a higher µF or higher voltage pump capacitor? Voltage up is fine; µF must match. The accurate NZ DIY guide to safe substitutions.
Why Do Capacitors Fail? Heat, Voltage, and the 10-Year QuestionMotor run capacitors are one of the most reliable components in a household appliance, right up until the day they aren’t.
CBB60 vs CBB61 – Which Capacitor Do I Need?You pulled an old motor run capacitor out of your pool pump, ceiling fan, or extractor, and now you’re squinting at the body trying to make sense of the alphabet soup printed on the side.
How to Read a CBB60 Capacitor Label (NZ Buyer’s Guide)Pull a dead capacitor out of a pool pump or washing machine and you’ll see a wall of numbers and codes printed on the side. Microfarads, voltage, a temperature range that looks like a date, body codes, safety stamps….
What’s a Run Capacitor and What Does it Do?If your pool pump hums but won’t start, or your garage door motor groans halfway up and gives up, there’s a good chance a small cylinder bolted to the side of the motor has quietly died. That cylinder is a run…
Why µF matters more than voltage when matching a replacementµF must be within ±10%; voltage is a max not a target. The tolerance rules nobody explains, with the cheat sheet that gets you a working replacement first time.
Pool pump won’t start: capacitor or motor?90% of the time it’s the capacitor. The 30-second diagnosis test, why caps fail first, and how to tell the rare motor-failure cases apart.
How to identify a failed motor run capacitorBulging tops, burnt smells, and the multimeter test that catches caps that look fine but aren’t. A plain-English walkthrough.