5 dot mica color code - Printable Version

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5 dot mica color code - Tom45acp - 02-11-2022

I'm currently working on a General Electric L542
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Resources/160/M0008160.htm

Two capacitors , C14 & C16, are square and have a 5 dot color code. The top row is 3 dots and the bottom row is 2 dots slightly offset so as to fall below the spaces between the dots in the top row. Both look factory installed  but their color code makes no sense to me. It might be an undocumented change in a production run. I would like to decipher these so I can document the values.

Top row colors are; yellow, brown, black; bottom row brown, red. Parts list calls for 330pF.

Any help would be appreciated.

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RE: 5 dot mica color code - David - 02-11-2022

The 330pf looks right for there location in the set. One problem with the dots over time the colors will fade or shift. If the lighting in your work area is CF or LED can also make it hard to know the true color. Sometimes older eyes have a hard time with certain colors.

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RE: 5 dot mica color code - mikethedruid - 02-11-2022

Here is a site that gives good information on reading the old rectangular condensers with dots... https://retrovoltage.com/2011/02/16/antique-capacitor-color-code-chart/   From what I can gather your condensers are actually 410 MMF, 100 V, 2%.

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RE: 5 dot mica color code - Tom45acp - 02-11-2022

Thanks for the replies.

The colors don't look faded like many resistors I've seen, but I certainly agree with David's list of problems. Sadly, the "older" part applies to me. Ah well.

I also think Mike may be correct about the value of these caps. There is one terminal that I will be de-soldering for other work so I will be able to measure one of the caps out of circuit.

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