Electrolytic Capacitor Insulation

runeight · 21st December 2003, 11:48 PM

This may have been discussed already, but I didn't find anything with a quick search.

Is there any data on the insulation value of the plastic on modern electrolytics? I'm thinking of the situation where the can is above ground by a significant voltage (say in a negative supply) and where the capacitor may be in close proximity to grounded components or in contact with the chassis itself, insulated only by the plastic layer.

Thanks for the help.

SY · 22nd December 2003, 01:42 AM

I thought that the can was isolated on modern (i.e., non-twistlock) caps. In any case, the plastic layer is way thicker than anything you'll find inside a high voltage film cap, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's got to be good for a multiple of the cap's working voltage.

dhaen · 22nd December 2003, 06:20 AM

I would not rely on the plastic film for more than 200v or so. Probably fine for a bias supply

Plastic clips are available now, which I use for higher voltages.
I'm not sure how well isolated the cans can be. In the past I've seen leakage to "isolated cans" that has caused trouble.

21st December 2003, 11:48 PM	#1
runeight diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Texas	Electrolytic Capacitor Insulation This may have been discussed already, but I didn't find anything with a quick search. Is there any data on the insulation value of the plastic on modern electrolytics? I'm thinking of the situation where the can is above ground by a significant voltage (say in a negative supply) and where the capacitor may be in close proximity to grounded components or in contact with the chassis itself, insulated only by the plastic layer. Thanks for the help.

22nd December 2003, 01:42 AM	#2
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	I thought that the can was isolated on modern (i.e., non-twistlock) caps. In any case, the plastic layer is way thicker than anything you'll find inside a high voltage film cap, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's got to be good for a multiple of the cap's working voltage. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

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22nd December 2003, 06:20 AM	#3
dhaen diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.K.	I would not rely on the plastic film for more than 200v or so. Probably fine for a bias supply Plastic clips are available now, which I use for higher voltages. I'm not sure how well isolated the cans can be. In the past I've seen leakage to "isolated cans" that has caused trouble.

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