Re: gEDA-user: electrolytic capacitors

[Gene Heskett <gene.heskett@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sunday 28 December 2008, der Mouse wrote:
>> [Electrolytics] can explode pretty violently, so let me tell you a
>> story.  [...785V on a 450V cap...serious dent in plaster...]
>
>My exploding cap story is not quite so impressive, but I know I
>certainly found it convincing.  I put together a circuit - can't even
>remember what it was, now - on one of those solderless breadboards.
>Turned it on and it seemed to be working, but then I heard this hissing
>noise.  I was just starting to try to locate it when the cap let go.
>Fortunately it was a small one (perhaps half a millicoulomb rating);
>all it did was make a bang and a small cloud, which settled in moments
>to cover everything within about a 6" radius with a thin film of
>something oily-feeling.

Ethylene Glycol, very very pure antifreeze.

>On reflection, I realized I'd been running it 
>at something like twice its rated voltage.

That will generally do it every time. :)

>Ever since I've been substantially more careful to think about voltage
>ratings when selecting electrolytics.
>
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-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
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