What qualifies a capacitor as "computer grade"?

[G]

Do they have low ESR and quick recovery?

G

[till]

try to search, this was allready diskussed some time ago.

[peranders]

They are big, can dissipate much heat (much current), lasts long due to much electrolythic, are reliable.

In short: they are made for heavy duty applications, like high power supplies.

[hifi]

As found in all computers =) ....

well in the time before switching supplies anway.....

/micke

[Dozuki]

Out of curiosity, when (approximately) did computer manufacturers swithch over to switching supplies?

-D.

(I have yet to see a big can in any computer I've cracked open, huge- ancient HDs, but no cans)

[Lisandro_P]

Um... i think PC's have been carrying switched power supplies since they become "personal" (that's it, not occupying a whole room ).

[roddyama]

Gavin,

Here is a good place to start. Take a look at this link.
http://www.capacitors.com/pickcap/pickcap.htm

Than you can do some searches on this site and see what's being said about different capacitors. You'll have to make your own jugements from there.

Rodd Yamashita

[Fred Dieckmann]

What qualifies a capacitor as "computer grade"?
Simple....certification as kosher by a computer Rabi.

Actually the Peranders answer pretty well spells it out. I don't know that there is a set of actual engineering parameters, although capacitor lifetime and 105 degree centigrade rating would be good indicators. Capacitors designed for swiching power supplies have low ESR and low indutance and are usually excellent choices for audio circuits and especially power supplies. This was also true with photo flash capacitors a few years. The new technology of organic semiconductor capacitor are becoming produced by several manufacturers and are exceptional power supply capacitors.

Why does the term "computer grade" evoke the following terms for the cynic in me?

'" Industrial Strength"
"New and Improved"
"Advanced'
"New formula"
"Extra Strength"
"Delux"
"Now with (insert tradename here)"
" Now with 20% more ....."
"Controlled release"
" the most powerful .... that you can get withou a prescription"

Shalom y'all,
Fred

[jh6you]

Gee...
The 16:9 was better IMHO.

JH

[peranders]

Originally posted by Fred Dieckmann
Actually the Peranders answer pretty well spells it out. I don't know that there is a set of actual engineering parameters, although capacitor lifetime and 105 degree centigrade rating would be good indicators. Capacitors designed for swiching power supplies have low ESR and low indutance and are usually excellent choices for audio circuits and especially power supplies.

Sometimes I wonder if pcb mounted heavy duty caps are better than these big mamas, with long wires. Computer grade caps (those we talk about here, big with screw connections) are never(?) seen in amps. Has anyone seen classical computer grade caps in a commercial amp (except for Bladelius Designs Group)?