06-25-2023, 01:13 PM
I have always advocated the view that electrolytic caps are being badmouthed unfairly.
Yes, if using GP caps, which are higher impedance and not high ripple current-rated, they will go dry eventually. Not all, in fact, but mostly those in the very first rectifier filter position.
These caps experience high peak ripple and some significant RMS ripple, which, along with voltage/temperature eventually lead to their deterioration.
However, properly sized electrocyltic caps will last if not forever, then at least many, many tens of years. And typically they are cheaper than comparable good quality film caps.
I use Panasonic high ripple-low impedance 105C-rated caps. They are about $1 apiece in qty of 10+.
Another key is, of course, regular usage. Caps that do not get usage behave same as those in long storage and need re-forming due to developing thinning dielectric layer which is maintained when the cap experienced voltage across it.
This said, it is a matter of taste. I have a generous supply 22uF 450V caps from Panasonic, and I use them most everywhere in the rectifier filters. If I need 10uF, I serialize two 22uF.
Yes, if using GP caps, which are higher impedance and not high ripple current-rated, they will go dry eventually. Not all, in fact, but mostly those in the very first rectifier filter position.
These caps experience high peak ripple and some significant RMS ripple, which, along with voltage/temperature eventually lead to their deterioration.
However, properly sized electrocyltic caps will last if not forever, then at least many, many tens of years. And typically they are cheaper than comparable good quality film caps.
I use Panasonic high ripple-low impedance 105C-rated caps. They are about $1 apiece in qty of 10+.
Another key is, of course, regular usage. Caps that do not get usage behave same as those in long storage and need re-forming due to developing thinning dielectric layer which is maintained when the cap experienced voltage across it.
This said, it is a matter of taste. I have a generous supply 22uF 450V caps from Panasonic, and I use them most everywhere in the rectifier filters. If I need 10uF, I serialize two 22uF.
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.