CAPS ! One big or 4 small ?

a.wayne · 26th March 2010, 08:02 PM

Hello Gents ,

which do you prefer , large caps or multi-small caps ?

regards,

Steve Dunlap · 26th March 2010, 08:16 PM

It depends to some extent on the room you have for the caps. If room is not an issue, then I prefer multiple small caps.

microsim444 · 26th March 2010, 08:39 PM

Multiple Caps, Are better

dave_gerecke · 26th March 2010, 08:40 PM

I would have to agree with Steve, with a caveat. If you have the room for larger caps, then you have room for multiple smaller ones, and vice versa. The advantage with smaller caps I can think of:
1) Lower possible inductance
2) Lower possible ESR
3) Better High Freq. filtering (see above)
4) you can potentially use a lower profile enclosure for the whole shebang.

Peace,

Dave

a.wayne · 26th March 2010, 08:58 PM

thanks guys , consensus is for multi-caps ....

Sch3mat1c · 28th March 2010, 03:02 AM

Smaller caps have more surface area = more cooling capacity. I use a hundred 0.1uF's in parallel for my induction heater tank cap -- it's the only way to handle 200A with off the shelf components. Big SMPS may need a few caps in parallel for filtering if the switching draws big current pulses (e.g., huge flyback supply), when ripple current can be fairly high. Check the datasheet: in most cases, you can get away with just a few units, even for the most punishing of circuits.

If the question includes line frequency filters, *never* worry about them: there isn't an electrolytic in the world that isn't rated for line frequency filtering. It's just too easy.

Tim

theAnonymous1 · 28th March 2010, 05:46 AM

Another vote for multiple small caps.

Sch3mat1c · 30th March 2010, 04:22 AM

Well, as long as we're posting pictures...

dave_gerecke · 31st March 2010, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sch3mat1c

Well, as long as we're posting pictures...

Show off!

So what's the assembly with the copper piping for? Liquid cooling, high current, or a waveguide?

Peace,

Dave

Sch3mat1c · 31st March 2010, 02:57 AM

High current AND liquid cooling. It has to carry 460 amperes (reactive) at full ratings.

20uF 630VDC (250VAC), delivers maximum rated VARs at 10-20kHz (250VAC * 460A = lots of VARs).

I think it would suffice as a bypass cap for something of Pass' design.

Tim

26th March 2010, 08:02 PM	#1
a.wayne diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Front Row Center	CAPS ! One big or 4 small ? Hello Gents , which do you prefer , large caps or multi-small caps ? regards,

26th March 2010, 08:39 PM	#3
microsim444 Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2008	Caps Multiple Caps, Are better

28th March 2010, 03:02 AM	#6
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	Smaller caps have more surface area = more cooling capacity. I use a hundred 0.1uF's in parallel for my induction heater tank cap -- it's the only way to handle 200A with off the shelf components. Big SMPS may need a few caps in parallel for filtering if the switching draws big current pulses (e.g., huge flyback supply), when ripple current can be fairly high. Check the datasheet: in most cases, you can get away with just a few units, even for the most punishing of circuits. If the question includes line frequency filters, never worry about them: there isn't an electrolytic in the world that isn't rated for line frequency filtering. It's just too easy. Tim __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

30th March 2010, 04:22 AM	#8
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	Well, as long as we're posting pictures... __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

31st March 2010, 02:57 AM	#10
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	High current AND liquid cooling. It has to carry 460 amperes (reactive) at full ratings. 20uF 630VDC (250VAC), delivers maximum rated VARs at 10-20kHz (250VAC * 460A = lots of VARs). I think it would suffice as a bypass cap for something of Pass' design. Tim __________________ See my Electronics webpage -- the home of Vacuum Tube Drag Racing. The key to being a successful Audiophile: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"


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26th March 2010, 08:16 PM	#2
Steve Dunlap diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Here	It depends to some extent on the room you have for the caps. If room is not an issue, then I prefer multiple small caps.

26th March 2010, 08:40 PM	#4
dave_gerecke diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vermont	I would have to agree with Steve, with a caveat. If you have the room for larger caps, then you have room for multiple smaller ones, and vice versa. The advantage with smaller caps I can think of: 1) Lower possible inductance 2) Lower possible ESR 3) Better High Freq. filtering (see above) 4) you can potentially use a lower profile enclosure for the whole shebang. Peace, Dave

26th March 2010, 08:58 PM	#5
a.wayne diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Front Row Center	thanks guys , consensus is for multi-caps ....

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