Snake oil?

[ICE]

Electrical service upgrade.

At my first inspection, there was nobody there to explain this. The outside of the enclosure has this sticker, "UL capacitor bank" with a number I can't make out in the photo. The enclosure has pop rivets so I wasn't able to see inside. I asked for a copy of the UL info., installation instructions and an open enclosure.

At the next inspection, the contractor and owner met me. There was still no inst. instructions or UL info. The contractor claimed it was going to save the owner big money. He said it was all about the A/C condenser and starting the motor. I asked questions and he had no answers. The owner asked me questions and I had answers. I didn't approve it and reiterated that I need the UL info. and installation instructions. At the third inspection, it was gone.

There are two leads from the capacitor that land on a two pole, 20 amp circuit breaker, an equipment ground and that's it.

 

[Msradell]

Completely snake oil as far as residential service is concerned. Similar devices are used in industrial situations to balance the power factor between phases but since residential service is billed differently they have no effect. Of course this doesn't stop people from selling them to homeowners claiming big savings!

 

[raider1]

That is a power factor correction capacitor. They are not effective on residential systems as the power company does not charge a fee for bad power factor on residential systems.

Snake Oil plain and simple.

Chris

 

[Span]

I've also saw one of this device being install at solar panel.

On the box "Power factor optimizer capacitor"

And here the link about it. http://www.nlcpr.com/Deceptions1.php

 

[480sparky]

Someone got ripped off.

 

[jar546]

Many electricians that come to our IAEI meetings for ceu's were installing them and talking about it. I never understood its application in residential single phase applications. Snake oil is a good term.