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Questions tagged [electrolytic-capacitor]

An energy-dense polarized capacitor type, used in low-frequency filtering applications.

92 votes
11 answers
76k views

Can you make a non-polar electrolytic capacitor out of two regular electrolytic capacitors?

There was some discussion on this question What are some reasons to connect capacitors in series? What are some reasons to connect capacitors in series? which I don't see as being conclusively ...
endolith's user avatar
  • 28.8k
75 votes
6 answers
13k views

What happened to electrolytic capacitors in the 21st century?

We can sometimes see decades-old capacitors (such as ones made in the USSR) still working. They are bigger and heavier, but durable and not desiccating. Modern aluminium capacitors serve for about 11 ...
Incnis Mrsi's user avatar
39 votes
2 answers
7k views

Should I discard my inventory of old electrolytic capacitors?

I have been doing hobby electronics for more than 10 years, and some of my electrolytic capacitors are easily that age. They seem to work just fine and do not show corrosion or other visible defects, ...
JYelton's user avatar
  • 34.3k
37 votes
6 answers
42k views

Do electrolytic capacitors have a limited shelf life?

Do electrolytic capacitors have a limited shelf life? I would like to know for both aluminium and tantalum.
stevenvh's user avatar
  • 146k
23 votes
3 answers
5k views

Is the capacitor drawn or wired wrongly?

In my recent study of electronics, I chance upon a guide on building a line-following robot. In one of the diagram shown, I realized that the capacitors, namely, C1, C2, C4 and C5, all marked with red ...
Jack Oat's user avatar
  • 333
23 votes
2 answers
41k views

How do I decide what capacitor to use in a circuit?

I am using a voltage regulator, and to get cleaner power, the datasheet recommends using a 0.33uF capacitor. However, it doesn't say what type it wants. Stupidly, I ...
Anonymous Penguin's user avatar
22 votes
7 answers
6k views

Why are electrolytic capacitors still in production?

What are the advantages of using electrolytic capacitors? I know in the past electrolytic capacitors would have more capacitance, but with Multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) they seem completely ...
cats are the best's user avatar
18 votes
3 answers
4k views

How to Measure Very Large Capacitance e.g. Super/Ultra Capacitors

I have recently acquired a couple of mysterious ultra/super capacitors from my brother. Apparently he doesn't remember any of the specifications or even brand... To further complicate matters, they ...
Big Gulps's user avatar
  • 205
18 votes
3 answers
2k views

Maximal operational pressure of tantalum and electrolytic capacitors

I need to design a device that have to operate in an high pressure environment (Nitrogen gas). The operational pressure may vary from 1bar (atmospheric) up to 20..30bar gauge pressure. The regular ...
johnfound's user avatar
  • 5,327
15 votes
2 answers
9k views

What is the "CV" unit for leakage current in a capacitor datasheet?

I've looked at a few leakage current specifications for electrolytic capacitors, and they all seem to specify the value as something like this: I < 0.01 CV or 3 (μA) after 2 minutes, whichever ...
Polynomial's user avatar
  • 10.8k
15 votes
3 answers
12k views

Does an electrolytic capacitor degrade each time it receives reverse voltage?

I know that I mustn't connect an electrolytic capacitor reversely. It will explode if I apply the reverse voltage long enough. But, what happens if the reverse voltage is applied for a short time? ...
hkBattousai's user avatar
  • 14.1k
15 votes
3 answers
9k views

I just blew a capacitor. Now what?

We worked two years on and off on this project at my friend's place. Finally we finish, I take it home. There's a power supply unit but it can't be connected directly to mains, it expects some lower ...
user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why do some devices use electrolytic capacitors instead of ceramics for small value components?

I've recently run into a number of consumer-grade devices that use 50v, 0.22uF electrolytic capacitors, as well as other similarly rated parts, all below about 10uF. In use, the voltages on them are ...
ZetaSyanthis's user avatar
14 votes
5 answers
3k views

What is the purpose of an electrolytic capacitor in this small electronics project?

As someone trying to learn electronics, I found the following diagram where there are these two electrolytic capacitors (470uF). Could someone explain the use of these components? How does the number/...
greener's user avatar
  • 243
13 votes
5 answers
4k views

High short circuit failure rate of aluminum electrolytic capacitors during the production processes

I have produced 1000 units of our new developed energy meter. Almost 20 aluminum electrolytic capacitors (2%) have failed short when we test them during the production processes. The Capacitor is a ...
Ashraf Almubarak's user avatar

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