Dried Capacitors

[OMNIFEX]

Whats the symptoms of having capacitors dried?

Is age only the factor?

Could they dry up faster having the amplifier plugged in
the receptacle for years, but never being powered up?

[udip]

Hi,

Electrolytic capacitors can dry with time, because they have
liquid inside.
If they are not in use, they will dry slower.
As electrolytic capacitor dries it's value will go down a bit.
In my opinion, aged electrolytics sound better, just like
old wine. (of course there is good wine and bad wine)

Udi.

[Stocker]

Temperature (higher) is also a contributing factor. Ambient temperature as well as ripple current. Also excessive voltage in service. Basically anything that makes the cap. get hotter will shorten its life.

[Enzo]

If the amp is not powered up, it has no way of knowing if it is plugged in or not.

[Stocker]

The possibility exists that the power supply may be powered all the time. Switched rails, vs. switched mains.

[d3imlay]

There is a predicatable curve that shows the life expectancy of a cap at various temperatures and ripple current. That assumes continuous operation at some level which audio amps don't run. The only caps that actually see and ripple current is the main filters. Board mounted stuff doesn't usually see much ripple.

[OMNIFEX]

Thanks



Rock On !

[audiofan]

you should search for " capacitor forming " on the net you will fin usefull information.....

according to me in an equipement in storage ( no voltage applied ) capacitor will degrade because theere is no electric effect on aluminium oxide regenerate the insulation...