Computer Grade Cap or Inverter Grade Cap???

TunaFish · 9th March 2005, 02:07 PM

Hi all expert,

Anyone can explain what is Computer Grade Cap and Inverter Grade Cap? (Other than used in computer and inverter. )

I know the computer grade cap is more expensive. Some of them are in high voltge (e.g. 450V DC), it doesn't look like used in computer......

I think it may be just 2 grade of cap (obviously higher than ordinary cap).

But what is the specification/range for a cap can be called as computer grade/inverter grade?

Computer Grade is higher or Inverter Grade is higher?

Thank you in advance.

Tuna Fish

peranders · 9th March 2005, 02:19 PM

The types you mention are heavy duty types for high currents under hard conditions with high reliability and long life time. For that reason they are much bigger than conventional types.

Sch3mat1c · 9th March 2005, 02:34 PM

Computer grade caps used to be used in computers, the big mainframes of the 50s to 80s. This was before rock-solid tons-of-amps transistors made switching power supplies possible, but the circuits still required the same stable power supply. You can imagine how annoying a 5V at 250A power supply was...

Inverter grade caps are made for inverters, obviously, which demand high peak currents. Consider a 10kW inverter running a squarewave through its transformer, that's a good bit of power being switched eh? Something needs to supply, snub or filter that appetite.

Tim

TunaFish · 10th March 2005, 07:53 AM

Thank you for your help.

Does the Computer Grade/Inverter Grade Cap is suitable for Hi Fi use or not?

Computer Grade is higher or Inverter Grade is higher?

Thank you in advance.

Tuna Fish

analog_sa · 10th March 2005, 08:20 AM

Hi TunaFish

I only have experience with computer grade caps and find it difficult to generalise - some of very good and others not. The sound is generally mellow, laid back and very listenable.

jacco vermeulen · 10th March 2005, 09:30 AM

When you take a look inside a regular inverter you will see Long Life capacitors for 105C.
A CG can handle larger surge values than a LL, 25 % above max is not uncommon. Which explains the huge size of CG's.

imo, the preferred audio electrolytic capacitor is a CG, 105C models if possible, because of the higher surge.
Both are LL versions.
I have been using Siemens/Sepcos Long Life, Sikorels, Roederstein, SifSafco, Mallory CGS.
Sikorels are the absolute best ; LL, +105C, extrem low esr and esl, but 3 times more expensive than regular good quality caps.
The Siemens Sikorel B41550/41570 were intended for very fast switching supplies.
For gain stage powersupplies i used the Sikorel inverter type cap, for an output stage that would mean serious money, there i use CG's

jacco vermeulen · 10th March 2005, 10:02 AM

I am just cleaning an inverter, here is a picture of the caps.

Computer Grades are still used for big main frames, that is where i try to buy them from.
An Aluminium electrolytic is an alloy foil with an electrolytic layer on it, the foil is rolled up and and an insulating cap is placed around it.
Computer and inverter grades have a much thicker electrolyte layer, the thicker layer enhances the long term behavior of the caps, and more.
That is why both CG and LL inverter capacitors are much bigger, a CG up to 20 % more than a LL.

andyjevans · 10th March 2005, 01:45 PM

I went out of my way to buy some Mallory computer grade caps for the first cap in a tube power supply. I hated it - slow, dead sound. I have had better luck with physically small sizes of caps - even fairly cheap axials - in conjunction with chokes.

TunaFish · 11th March 2005, 05:53 AM

What does the 40/105/56 and 40/85/56 indicated in capacitor means?

I just know the middle number = operating temperature.

How about the 40 and 56??????????????

analog_sa · 11th March 2005, 06:57 AM

Quote:

I hated it - slow, dead sound

Same experience with Mallory. SicSafco otoh are exceptional.

9th March 2005, 02:07 PM	#1
TunaFish diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hong Kong	Computer Grade Cap or Inverter Grade Cap??? Hi all expert, Anyone can explain what is Computer Grade Cap and Inverter Grade Cap? (Other than used in computer and inverter. ) I know the computer grade cap is more expensive. Some of them are in high voltge (e.g. 450V DC), it doesn't look like used in computer...... I think it may be just 2 grade of cap (obviously higher than ordinary cap). But what is the specification/range for a cap can be called as computer grade/inverter grade? Computer Grade is higher or Inverter Grade is higher? Thank you in advance. Tuna Fish

9th March 2005, 02:19 PM	#2
peranders Electrons are yellow diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Blog Entries: 1	The types you mention are heavy duty types for high currents under hard conditions with high reliability and long life time. For that reason they are much bigger than conventional types. __________________ /Per-Anders (my first name) or P-A as my friends call me BPA300 Group Buy Round 4, SMD-kit and DRV134 pcb, checking interest Sign up HERE Rectifier bridge RFB03 Group Buy Round 2, checking interest Sign up HERE

9th March 2005, 02:34 PM	#3
Sch3mat1c diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI	Computer grade caps used to be used in computers, the big mainframes of the 50s to 80s. This was before rock-solid tons-of-amps transistors made switching power supplies possible, but the circuits still required the same stable power supply. You can imagine how annoying a 5V at 250A power supply was... Inverter grade caps are made for inverters, obviously, which demand high peak currents. Consider a 10kW inverter running a squarewave through its transformer, that's a good bit of power being switched eh? Something needs to supply, snub or filter that appetite. 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!" "It's all in your head. So follow your head. Don't bother trying to explain it, because there is no explanation. Likewise, disregard any who try to explain it, because they're most likely way off the mark." - Myself

10th March 2005, 09:30 AM	#6
jacco vermeulen diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the sea front, just under Rotterdam	When you take a look inside a regular inverter you will see Long Life capacitors for 105C. A CG can handle larger surge values than a LL, 25 % above max is not uncommon. Which explains the huge size of CG's. imo, the preferred audio electrolytic capacitor is a CG, 105C models if possible, because of the higher surge. Both are LL versions. I have been using Siemens/Sepcos Long Life, Sikorels, Roederstein, SifSafco, Mallory CGS. Sikorels are the absolute best ; LL, +105C, extrem low esr and esl, but 3 times more expensive than regular good quality caps. The Siemens Sikorel B41550/41570 were intended for very fast switching supplies. For gain stage powersupplies i used the Sikorel inverter type cap, for an output stage that would mean serious money, there i use CG's __________________ As a participant to a public forum, you should know that nobody owes you anything here, not even an answer.

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10th March 2005, 07:53 AM	#4
TunaFish diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hong Kong	Thank you for your help. Does the Computer Grade/Inverter Grade Cap is suitable for Hi Fi use or not? Computer Grade is higher or Inverter Grade is higher? Thank you in advance. Tuna Fish

10th March 2005, 08:20 AM	#5
analog_sa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South Africa	Hi TunaFish I only have experience with computer grade caps and find it difficult to generalise - some of very good and others not. The sound is generally mellow, laid back and very listenable.

10th March 2005, 01:45 PM	#8
andyjevans diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London	I went out of my way to buy some Mallory computer grade caps for the first cap in a tube power supply. I hated it - slow, dead sound. I have had better luck with physically small sizes of caps - even fairly cheap axials - in conjunction with chokes.

11th March 2005, 05:53 AM	#9
TunaFish diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hong Kong	What does the 40/105/56 and 40/85/56 indicated in capacitor means? I just know the middle number = operating temperature. How about the 40 and 56??????????????

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