Question on the lifetime of a capacitor

Andrea: · 13th November 2009, 02:43 PM

A while ago I put two tiny Panasonic FC 10uF 25V in my Musiland SVDAC05, to replace a couple of SMD (maybe tantalum?) caps of equal uF value.

They're placed on the power supplies (+/- 15V) of the analog stage, closest to the opamps.

Lately I began wondering if their specified endurance, 1000 hours at 105°C, is enough for a very long lifetime (10 flawless years minimum) with an everyday use of the DAC. The environment should be cool enough, given that it's just a DAC.

Just to put my mind at ease (if appropriate, otherwise please tell) ...thanks!

jacco vermeulen · 13th November 2009, 03:07 PM

1000hrs at 105C is 64K hrs at 45C surrounding temperature.
64000 hours life expectancy means 6 hours of DAC a day for like 30 years.

wwenze · 13th November 2009, 03:50 PM

Life expectancy aside - what would we know happen ^^

The rest of the DAC would have higher chance of failing first wouldn't it? If your choice of part is better than the stock parts.

Andrea: · 13th November 2009, 04:20 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Yup, I knew the formula and I'd come up with a figure of at least 10 years keeping the DAC powered all the time

But I still wasn't reassured! I must be slightly paranoiac.

Regarding parts choice, I've replaced every non SMD electrolytic cap with long life parts (these 10uF 25V being the least long life).

I wonder what those 10 uF tiny SMD caps are (didn't touch them in the digital circuitry). If they're tantalum, they should have a long lifetime too, no?

13th November 2009, 02:43 PM	#1
Andrea: Banned Join Date: Oct 2009	Question on the lifetime of a capacitor A while ago I put two tiny Panasonic FC 10uF 25V in my Musiland SVDAC05, to replace a couple of SMD (maybe tantalum?) caps of equal uF value. They're placed on the power supplies (+/- 15V) of the analog stage, closest to the opamps. Lately I began wondering if their specified endurance, 1000 hours at 105°C, is enough for a very long lifetime (10 flawless years minimum) with an everyday use of the DAC. The environment should be cool enough, given that it's just a DAC. Just to put my mind at ease (if appropriate, otherwise please tell) ...thanks!

13th November 2009, 03:07 PM	#2
jacco vermeulen diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the sea front, just under Rotterdam	1000hrs at 105C is 64K hrs at 45C surrounding temperature. 64000 hours life expectancy means 6 hours of DAC a day for like 30 years. __________________ Looks like Sponge Bob has killed another thread.

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13th November 2009, 03:50 PM	#3
wwenze diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2008	Life expectancy aside - what would we know happen ^^ The rest of the DAC would have higher chance of failing first wouldn't it? If your choice of part is better than the stock parts.

13th November 2009, 04:20 PM	#4
Andrea: Banned Join Date: Oct 2009	Thanks for the replies. Yup, I knew the formula and I'd come up with a figure of at least 10 years keeping the DAC powered all the time But I still wasn't reassured! I must be slightly paranoiac. Regarding parts choice, I've replaced every non SMD electrolytic cap with long life parts (these 10uF 25V being the least long life). I wonder what those 10 uF tiny SMD caps are (didn't touch them in the digital circuitry). If they're tantalum, they should have a long lifetime too, no?

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