03-30-2026, 02:28 PM
Bear in mind that some molded capacitors are not mica capacitors. If they are labeled "Micamold" they are may be not mica, but might actually be paper dielectric caps which should be replaced. Micamold started making paper caps during WWII when mica was scarce.
I have found most of the Micamold caps which I have had on my bench to be defective. A well-equipped radio restoration shop such as mine has both a high-quality LCR meter (I use a DER EE DE-5000) and a way to test capacitor leakage at working voltages (I use a General Radio Type 544-B Megohm Bridge with a Bio-Rad 500/200 regulated adjustable power supply as an external voltage source).
Any caps which I know to be paper dielectric are always replaced.
I have found most of the Micamold caps which I have had on my bench to be defective. A well-equipped radio restoration shop such as mine has both a high-quality LCR meter (I use a DER EE DE-5000) and a way to test capacitor leakage at working voltages (I use a General Radio Type 544-B Megohm Bridge with a Bio-Rad 500/200 regulated adjustable power supply as an external voltage source).
Any caps which I know to be paper dielectric are always replaced.
Dale H. Cook, GR/HP/Tek Collector, Roanoke/Lynchburg, VA
https://plymouthcolony.net/starcity/radios/
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