Failed electrolytic??

GregH2 · 7th January 2010, 05:42 PM

Hi All,

I just accidentally hooked a 50v electrolytic cap to a 9v supply backwards for a few seconds. After switching it back around and upping the voltage to 24v it appears fine, the question is would I know if it had failed? It shows no visible signs of failure and the circuit appears to be working correctly. Is the cap likely to be fine or would it be irreparably damaged now?

Your advice is appreciated.

Greg.

Mooly · 7th January 2010, 05:44 PM

It will be fine

A 9v battery (PP3 ?) won't have the current to cause damage in a few seconds.

GregH2 · 8th January 2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooly

It will be fine

A 9v battery (PP3 ?) won't have the current to cause damage in a few seconds.

Ok Great!

Thanks.

SY · 8th January 2010, 12:56 PM

What's a replacement cap going to cost? A dollar? If in doubt, replace it. You're probably OK, but you may not be, and when caps fail, they do so with a mighty bang and lots of shrapnel.

If it were me, that cap would be out of there.

GregH2 · 8th January 2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SY

What's a replacement cap going to cost? A dollar? If in doubt, replace it. You're probably OK, but you may not be, and when caps fail, they do so with a mighty bang and lots of shrapnel.

If it were me, that cap would be out of there.

Trust me, I would, but this particular cap has a several week waiting time

Mooly · 8th January 2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swordfishy

Trust me, I would, but this particular cap has a several week waiting time

Lol... it will be just fine.

Out of interest, if it puts your mind at rest, what value is it, and where in the circuit is it. And if you have a circuit lets see what impedances are around it.

7th January 2010, 05:42 PM	#1
GregH2 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009	Failed electrolytic?? Hi All, I just accidentally hooked a 50v electrolytic cap to a 9v supply backwards for a few seconds. After switching it back around and upping the voltage to 24v it appears fine, the question is would I know if it had failed? It shows no visible signs of failure and the circuit appears to be working correctly. Is the cap likely to be fine or would it be irreparably damaged now? Your advice is appreciated. Greg.

8th January 2010, 12:56 PM	#4
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chicagoland Blog Entries: 1	What's a replacement cap going to cost? A dollar? If in doubt, replace it. You're probably OK, but you may not be, and when caps fail, they do so with a mighty bang and lots of shrapnel. If it were me, that cap would be out of there. __________________ If there's a sucker born every minute, where do the rest of them come from?

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7th January 2010, 05:44 PM	#2
Mooly diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007	It will be fine A 9v battery (PP3 ?) won't have the current to cause damage in a few seconds.