mfd = micro and not milli farads?

[chopchip]

in the parts list it says for example .047 mfd. i assume that this means microfarad and not millifarad

thanks

[teamacc]

It most likely means millifarad, equal to 47uF (microfarad)

[currentflow]

I would expect 0.047 mfd to mean microfarads = 47nF (nanofarads).

Millifarads is written mF.

Regards
Steve

[llwhtt]

It probably means microfarad. Where it's used in the circuit will also give us a clue, looks like a size for a coupling capacitor.

Craig

[Richard Ellis]

As I recall the designation mfd was used to represent 'micro farad' because the printing devices used to apply the lettering could not duplicate the "micro" symbol (That fine lower case 'u' with the "tail"). This of course has led to some confusion........
I think the story is correct.......just a fragment of memory here.
Perhaps someone can confirm this.

__________________________________________________ ______Rick....

[infinia]

Originally Posted by chopchip

in the parts list

what parts list?

The more information you give, the more accuracy of the responses you can get back.

FWIW milli is not used, or extremely rarely in the US! so if "the parts list" is from someplace other than?>

[chopchip]

this parts list here

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/PAT-%204.pdf

for the dynaco pat4 preamp, it is halfway through the document on page 14

[llwhtt]

All caps are microfarad in that list.

Craig

[infinia]

OK Thanks
mfd = uF

[Conrad Hoffman]

Long ago it would have been rare to have a millifarad, but today it's not uncommon. Old schematics would use mfd for microfarad. It's probably safe to say that if you see mfd, it's microfarad (uF), but if you see mF it's likely millifarad. It was also uncommon for anybody to use nanofarad (nF) in the old days, except maybe in Europe, but today it's common everywhere. IMO, anybody doing technical work of any type today should read the guide to SI units on the NIST site and try to use the preferred terms and abbreviations. OTOH, I've used microns for years and just can't get used to replacing it with micrometers, which to me are a machinists tool.

CH