Coupling cap rating

morfeas · 2nd November 2006, 11:26 AM

Say a coupling cap ratted 400VDC has 350V across. Will an AC swing of 300Vp2p raise an issue? Should the cap be ratted to a higher voltage?

Thanks.

Gluca · 2nd November 2006, 12:24 PM

Anytime I would pick up a cap rated at

VDC across it + peak voltage swing + safety margin (higher for high voltage applications)

So your choice is not safe IMHO.

Ciao
Gianluca

tubelab.com · 2nd November 2006, 12:57 PM

If a coupling cap is properly sized for the whole audio range, there should be NO AC voltage across it in normal operation. The entire reason for a coupling caps existence is to pass the AC and block the DC. At very low audio frequencies there will be some AC voltage across the cap due to phase shift effects. A cap sized to roll off low frequencies (guitar amp or crossover) could see significant AC voltage across it at frequencies below the corner frequency.

This can be demonstrated with a dual trace scope. Put one probe on each side of the cap, set the traces to add, then invert one of them. The scope will show the voltage (AC and DC) across the cap.

The worst case for a coupling cap is usually at turn on and sometimes turn off. Consider a fixed bias amp. The output tubes bias should come up quickly at power up, so the output tube's grid will be at the bias potential (say -50 volts for example). The driver tube is not conducting yet, so its plate voltage could be equal to the full B+ voltage (say 400 volts) the cap will see 450 volts at power up. As the driver tube warms up its plate voltage will drop to the normal operating voltage (175 volts). In this case the cap will see 450 volts at power on and 225 volts in normal operation. These are real voltages measured on a TubelabSE with 300B tubes, and I use 600 volt coupling caps in these amps.

zigzagflux · 2nd November 2006, 01:14 PM

Nice reply. Correct and well described.

The behavior of capacitors (and xfmrs) is an easily misunderstood subject.

jlsem · 2nd November 2006, 01:23 PM

Most military caps (and maybe some commercial) will have a surge voltage rating of usually twice the working voltage for this reason.

John

2nd November 2006, 11:26 AM	#1
morfeas diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Athens	Coupling cap rating Say a coupling cap ratted 400VDC has 350V across. Will an AC swing of 300Vp2p raise an issue? Should the cap be ratted to a higher voltage? Thanks. __________________ Common sense is not that common.

2nd November 2006, 12:57 PM	#3
tubelab.com diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida	If a coupling cap is properly sized for the whole audio range, there should be NO AC voltage across it in normal operation. The entire reason for a coupling caps existence is to pass the AC and block the DC. At very low audio frequencies there will be some AC voltage across the cap due to phase shift effects. A cap sized to roll off low frequencies (guitar amp or crossover) could see significant AC voltage across it at frequencies below the corner frequency. This can be demonstrated with a dual trace scope. Put one probe on each side of the cap, set the traces to add, then invert one of them. The scope will show the voltage (AC and DC) across the cap. The worst case for a coupling cap is usually at turn on and sometimes turn off. Consider a fixed bias amp. The output tubes bias should come up quickly at power up, so the output tube's grid will be at the bias potential (say -50 volts for example). The driver tube is not conducting yet, so its plate voltage could be equal to the full B+ voltage (say 400 volts) the cap will see 450 volts at power up. As the driver tube warms up its plate voltage will drop to the normal operating voltage (175 volts). In this case the cap will see 450 volts at power on and 225 volts in normal operation. These are real voltages measured on a TubelabSE with 300B tubes, and I use 600 volt coupling caps in these amps. __________________ Too much power is almost enough! Turn it up till it explodes - then back up just a little.

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2nd November 2006, 12:24 PM	#2
Gluca tarmac ripper diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Back to Italy	Anytime I would pick up a cap rated at VDC across it + peak voltage swing + safety margin (higher for high voltage applications) So your choice is not safe IMHO. Ciao Gianluca

2nd November 2006, 01:14 PM	#4
zigzagflux diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2006	Nice reply. Correct and well described. The behavior of capacitors (and xfmrs) is an easily misunderstood subject.

2nd November 2006, 01:23 PM	#5
jlsem diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Dallas,TX	Most military caps (and maybe some commercial) will have a surge voltage rating of usually twice the working voltage for this reason. John

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