Can I use polarized capacitors in passive crossovers?

sardonx · 8th April 2006, 01:12 AM

Everywhere it seems to say that you're supposed to use only non-polar caps in crossovers. I have some polarized caps that match the values that I need... can I just use them instead? If so does it matter which way it's connected?

DUG · 8th April 2006, 01:30 AM

No
1. Polarized caps are not meant to see reversal of the charge applied to them. Usually they create a very low impedance...not the calculated value at the frequency of interest.

2. The tollerance of polarized caps is not good enough to be used for frequency sensistive circuits.

I have used them as coupling caps in a back-to-back pair where there is very low DC potential. Low impedance forward vs low impedance reversed...Win-Win situation (still DC isolated)

jackinnj · 8th April 2006, 01:53 AM

YES

1) Back to polarized caps don't really care if the current is zigging or zagging.

2) The tolerance of polarized caps is suprisingly good compared to 1947.

While this discussion is specifically related to their use in crossovers, in application I could detect no increase in distortion or impulse response when I examined an amplifier which used a very expensive 4.7uF polypropylene cap, or a pair of electrolytics arranged as bipolar.

ManMower · 8th April 2006, 01:56 AM

You can't use them.

Neither direction would be correct, because the current needs to flow both ways.

jackinnj · 8th April 2006, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ManMower
You can't use them.

Neither direction would be correct, because the current needs to flow both ways.

KEF and Audio Research used them to good effect.

infinia · 8th April 2006, 02:23 AM

They are OK to use back to back as someone pointed out. I usually use them in speaker zobel networks or imp correction applications. Not much used in signal flow path for high end.

ManMower · 8th April 2006, 08:30 AM

Wasn't contradicting you, I'm still under moderation so my post came in a little later than it was actually made.

sardonx · 8th April 2006, 11:37 AM

I think i'll just go out and buy some real capacitors... thanks everyone! I'm glad i didn't solder them in and wonder why the sound sucks.

mladen

8th April 2006, 01:12 AM	#1
sardonx diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada	Can I use polarized capacitors in passive crossovers? Everywhere it seems to say that you're supposed to use only non-polar caps in crossovers. I have some polarized caps that match the values that I need... can I just use them instead? If so does it matter which way it's connected? __________________ The End

8th April 2006, 01:30 AM	#2
DUG diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: mississauga ontario canada	No 1. Polarized caps are not meant to see reversal of the charge applied to them. Usually they create a very low impedance...not the calculated value at the frequency of interest. 2. The tollerance of polarized caps is not good enough to be used for frequency sensistive circuits. I have used them as coupling caps in a back-to-back pair where there is very low DC potential. Low impedance forward vs low impedance reversed...Win-Win situation (still DC isolated) __________________ Doug We are all learning...we can all help

8th April 2006, 02:23 AM	#6
infinia diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication	They are OK to use back to back as someone pointed out. I usually use them in speaker zobel networks or imp correction applications. Not much used in signal flow path for high end. __________________ like four million tons of hydrogen exploding on the sun like the whisper of the termites building castles in the dust

8th April 2006, 11:37 AM	#8
sardonx diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada	I think i'll just go out and buy some real capacitors... thanks everyone! I'm glad i didn't solder them in and wonder why the sound sucks. mladen __________________ The End

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8th April 2006, 01:53 AM	#3
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	YES 1) Back to polarized caps don't really care if the current is zigging or zagging. 2) The tolerance of polarized caps is suprisingly good compared to 1947. While this discussion is specifically related to their use in crossovers, in application I could detect no increase in distortion or impulse response when I examined an amplifier which used a very expensive 4.7uF polypropylene cap, or a pair of electrolytics arranged as bipolar.

8th April 2006, 01:56 AM	#4
ManMower diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada	You can't use them. Neither direction would be correct, because the current needs to flow both ways.

8th April 2006, 08:30 AM	#7
ManMower diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada	Wasn't contradicting you, I'm still under moderation so my post came in a little later than it was actually made.

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