Skinning capacitors

[quickshift]

Hello

This is chip amp related...

Is it safe to take the plactic covering off capacitors?

 

[BWRX]

That depends on your definition of safe...

The manufacturers put insulation on the cap for a reason, and it isn't just for labeling purposes.

 

[I_Forgot]

If you want it to go well you need a moyl.
Live and be well!

I_F

 

[theAnonymous1]

If you want it to go well you need a moyl.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[quickshift]

OK, so a bad idea then I guess.

I thought i'd check because I've seen it done but with a warning to be careful but no reason given. As it isn't just a label, I'll leave it on.

Thank you

 

[RetroAudio]

sigh!

quick - you should know there's all kinds of idiots on the web posting idiotic things.

 

[quickshift]

Yeah, I know. Thank goodness for sanctuaries of reason like this place

I think I read it somewhere sensible though but just as well I checked...

 

[Nordic]

Wait, you should see the guys who go further and remove the metal cans and stick the contents in a piece of bamboo...

 

[tiltedhalo]

Remember there is some scientific insight into sub atomic physics with this......... I am sure the electron transfer is effected at 1 electron per 100 to the power of 10, bet anybody can hear that improvement!!!

P.S. the ghost's are real they only appear once every 30 million years for half a second.

 

[I_Forgot]

Yeah, I know. Thank goodness for sanctuaries of reason like this place

?Wha?

 

[quickshift]

Compared to a lot of places, it is, it really really is

 

[peranders]

OK, so a bad idea then I guess.

I thought i'd check because I've seen it done but with a warning to be careful but no reason given. As it isn't just a label, I'll leave it on.

Thank you

Why do you want to do this? This question must be put.

If you don't risk any contact with the can it's no harm to remove the jacket. The main purpose is to make it easier for a designer to have insulated caps. Personally I think it looks uglier to have raw aluminium instead of some nice colour.

 

[quickshift]

It's purely cosmetic. I'm building a chip amp in a tranparent case for someone. I have used metal cable braiding, an interesting shaped heat sink etc etc to try to make it look nice but the caps just look like, well black caps with white writing on so don't really fit in with the rest of the look.

There isn't any danger of anyone touching them but there are 6 of them which touch each other.

What I could do I guess is spray them gloss black or something.

 

[Eva]

The plastic sleeve in which electrolytic capacitors are usually wrapped is only intended for labeling purposes. Datasheets tell not to rely on it for electrical isolation because it's very thin plastic that can easily be scratched or melt.

 

[BWRX]

With the amp powered up, measure the voltage on the metal can. If the voltage on the metal can is the same as the negative terminal of the cap then the cover is not just for labeling purposes.

 

[SvErD]

"Normally" on radial caps the can is not connected to anything, it might however have a potential on the can. If the cans of the caps on the positive and negative side touch you might have current flowing and a blown fuse.
I had an amp for repair recently where the owner had removed the sleeves and the cans touched.

 

[quickshift]

OK, thanks for the help and information everyone

I'll test them but may err on the side of caution and just paint them and also space them slightly further apart.

 

[djQUAN]

other amp makers remove it so that it is more difficult to reverse engineer their designs. or add a bit of 'mystery' to their amps.

 

[meepers]

why dont you just cover them in shrink tube? they have a multitude of colors and you could get the sleek look you want.

 

[quickshift]

why dont you just cover them in shrink tube? they have a multitude of colors and you could get the sleek look you want.

That is an excellent idea. Thank you