A simple question

fouchagalaga · 7th July 2009, 02:56 PM

This is really basics I guess but still I want to know. What will be the difference between a 2200 uF cap that says 25V and a 2200 uF cap that says 16V? bascally the question is.. does different voltage affect anything? (I'm sure it does) In a 12V circuit what is best?

zigzagflux · 7th July 2009, 04:26 PM

In general, they will provide the same performance. There will likely be a slightly lower ESR on the higher voltage cap, which may result in a slightly higher ripple current rating. If your 12V power supply is regulated, either cap will work fine.

If the 12V supply has some ripple or is unregulated, you should consider putting in the 25V cap. In general, a higher voltage cap will have a longer life in a given circuit (all other things being equal).

jaencer · 7th July 2009, 04:36 PM

Voltage ratings on capacitors indicate what the maximum voltage that the capacitor can handle is. If you use a 6.3V, 2200uF capacitor in your 12V circuit, it will damage the capacitor (they explode spectacularly, spraying hot acid everywhere). If you use a 16V or higher, 2200uF capacitor in your 12V circuit, it will be fine. You can use anything rated HIGHER than the voltage you intend to use. So don't use a 12V capacitor in a 12V circuit. Go with 16V or higher.

By the way, the last post mentioned ESR, it means 'equivalent series resistance'. This is technical, but some capacitors are a little more resistive than others- don't worry about it unless your doing something really high quality (and if so, you might want a little more experience first

)

fouchagalaga · 7th July 2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jaencer
Vthey explode spectacularly, spraying hot acid everywhere)

Oh... I see... well thanks
and about the explosion... That doesn't really happen..... right?

picowallspeaker · 7th July 2009, 09:49 PM

I have had a little geyser when reversed the polarity of a 4700uF-50 v cap -
I see here it's called "magic smoke"...

amc184 · 7th July 2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

and about the explosion... That doesn't really happen..... right?

That is no joke, they absolutely do. Someone on this forum (I can't remember who) lost a lot of their sight in one eye after being hit in the eye by the casing of an exploding electrolytic capacitor.

fouchagalaga · 7th July 2009, 11:26 PM

That is somewhat.. scary. How do I prevent this again?

picowallspeaker · 7th July 2009, 11:29 PM

Use small electrolytics. Or ,better ,de-bug your circuit before applying voltage to it!

fouchagalaga · 7th July 2009, 11:31 PM

de-bug?

picowallspeaker · 7th July 2009, 11:41 PM

Sorry , I knew it ! I have to debug my language ,first !
Don't you know the Millenium Bug ? But even before , and still nowadays , to de-bug a circuit is to control accurately , inspect , before putting it on production , to find the hidden deficiencies that may arise . The word "bug" relates to the fifties , when computers and calculators where enormous , and data being showed by...perforated cardboard! Eventually , someday a computer stopped and after a week of hard work a woman (!!!!) discovered that the cause was a...

7th July 2009, 02:56 PM	#1
fouchagalaga diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal, Qc	A simple question This is really basics I guess but still I want to know. What will be the difference between a 2200 uF cap that says 25V and a 2200 uF cap that says 16V? bascally the question is.. does different voltage affect anything? (I'm sure it does) In a 12V circuit what is best?

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7th July 2009, 04:26 PM	#2
zigzagflux diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	In general, they will provide the same performance. There will likely be a slightly lower ESR on the higher voltage cap, which may result in a slightly higher ripple current rating. If your 12V power supply is regulated, either cap will work fine. If the 12V supply has some ripple or is unregulated, you should consider putting in the 25V cap. In general, a higher voltage cap will have a longer life in a given circuit (all other things being equal).

7th July 2009, 04:36 PM	#3
jaencer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	Voltage ratings on capacitors indicate what the maximum voltage that the capacitor can handle is. If you use a 6.3V, 2200uF capacitor in your 12V circuit, it will damage the capacitor (they explode spectacularly, spraying hot acid everywhere). If you use a 16V or higher, 2200uF capacitor in your 12V circuit, it will be fine. You can use anything rated HIGHER than the voltage you intend to use. So don't use a 12V capacitor in a 12V circuit. Go with 16V or higher. By the way, the last post mentioned ESR, it means 'equivalent series resistance'. This is technical, but some capacitors are a little more resistive than others- don't worry about it unless your doing something really high quality (and if so, you might want a little more experience first )

7th July 2009, 09:49 PM	#5
picowallspeaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2007	I have had a little geyser when reversed the polarity of a 4700uF-50 v cap - I see here it's called "magic smoke"...

7th July 2009, 11:26 PM	#7
fouchagalaga diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal, Qc	That is somewhat.. scary. How do I prevent this again?

7th July 2009, 11:29 PM	#8
picowallspeaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2007	Use small electrolytics. Or ,better ,de-bug your circuit before applying voltage to it!

7th July 2009, 11:31 PM	#9
fouchagalaga diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal, Qc	de-bug?

7th July 2009, 11:41 PM	#10
picowallspeaker diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2007	Sorry , I knew it ! I have to debug my language ,first ! Don't you know the Millenium Bug ? But even before , and still nowadays , to de-bug a circuit is to control accurately , inspect , before putting it on production , to find the hidden deficiencies that may arise . The word "bug" relates to the fifties , when computers and calculators where enormous , and data being showed by...perforated cardboard! Eventually , someday a computer stopped and after a week of hard work a woman (!!!!) discovered that the cause was a...

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