reading an electrolytic capacitor can

muscmp · 17th August 2011, 10:45 PM

hope this is the right area for this question.
how do i read the lugs on a metal capacitor can? the can reads 20,10,5 with a square symbol in front of the 20, a triangle symbol in front of the 10 and, a negative sign in front of the 5. how do i know which lug is which?

thanks,
mikeB.

agdr · 18th August 2011, 01:55 AM

Like this?

Flip the capacitor over and the bakelite near the lugs should have symbols stamped on it that match up, like this:

The lugs with the symbols are the "+" end of each cap and the outside metal can is the common "-" end on all of them.

Here is the site those images are linked from. Scroll down to the "electrolytic" section. It is really a good read, in general.

Replacing Capacitors in Old Radios and TVs

muscmp · 18th August 2011, 02:38 AM

that is great information!
thanks,
mikeB.

17th August 2011, 10:45 PM	#1
muscmp diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: so cal	reading an electrolytic capacitor can hope this is the right area for this question. how do i read the lugs on a metal capacitor can? the can reads 20,10,5 with a square symbol in front of the 20, a triangle symbol in front of the 10 and, a negative sign in front of the 5. how do i know which lug is which? thanks, mikeB.

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18th August 2011, 01:55 AM	#2
agdr diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2010	Like this? Flip the capacitor over and the bakelite near the lugs should have symbols stamped on it that match up, like this: The lugs with the symbols are the "+" end of each cap and the outside metal can is the common "-" end on all of them. Here is the site those images are linked from. Scroll down to the "electrolytic" section. It is really a good read, in general. Replacing Capacitors in Old Radios and TVs

18th August 2011, 02:38 AM	#3
muscmp diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: so cal	that is great information! thanks, mikeB.