Identity of electriconic component

[mikel]

Can anyone help identify this electronic component found on a gas valve and what is it's purpose. The picture was sent to me by a plumber/gas engineer. http://s1187.photobucket.com/albums/z399/mikelleach/

 

[Andy™]

1uf 250v capacitor. for PF correction

 

[mikel]

Thanks for that andy, what purpose would it serve on a gas valve in a domestic situation

 

[Andy™]

Thanks for that andy, what purpose would it serve on a gas valve in a domestic situation

PF correction to the other working in the valve.... most likely a coil in there or a motor (like a heating valve)

 

[mikel]

Its attached to the valve presumably across a coil

---------- AUTO MERGE Post added at 20:10 ---------- Previous post was at 19:42 ----------

Just spoke with the plumber, the capacitor is attached to a gas valve in an old boiler that he has gone to repair. It would appear the valve is not opening to allow gas to flow. He's checked the voltage to one side of the capacitor and has 248volts to it, from the other side he has 0 volts. Could this be right? Is there any other way he can check if the capacitor is working correctly?

Sorry for what is probably a simple question but I know nothing about electronics

 

[Sidewinder]

Mike,

If that is with the cap & v/v in cct then it seems the valve is energised, thus you would have a "live" on one side & a "neutral" on the other.

Pending volt drop / resistance issues those values could be OK.

Can he check the coil resistance?

With the power off & valve disconnected.

 

[mikep]

I cannot see the photo so going blind a bit here, site asks me to log in.

But they quite often put a capacitor across switches, coils etc as to stop radio/tv interferance and are just referred to as a supressor when used like this, also stops the switches/relay from burning out prematurely.

If the gas valve is just a solenoid (electro magnet ) then if 240 volts is there then the valve should be open, either no gas, stuck valve or open circuit on solenoid, disconnect gas valve test with ohmeter across solenoid ( coil ) shoild get a reading if open circuit then bin it.

Mike.

 

[oldtimespark]

The capacitor is usually used as a suppressor the valve will work with it not in circuit are the any more components in the connection cap of the valve,

have come across valves that have small full wave rectifier on a small pcb in the plug on cap.