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best for voicecoil, as I read, is Aluminium. It's not expensive but has the best figure of merit when you account for density and resistance.
In linear power supplies there are high charging current spikes, I am skeptical that magnetic capacitor leads are any kind of issue by themselves. Perhaps in phono . pre amps there is a need for extra care, even the materials of the case.
In linear power supplies there are high charging current spikes, I am skeptical that magnetic capacitor leads are any kind of issue by themselves. Perhaps in phono . pre amps there is a need for extra care, even the materials of the case.
I can't agree!Weight not an issue because copper is even heavier. Copper is denser compared to steel. I believe the main issue is resistance. Due to higher resistance the coil heats up easily. That means quite alot of power goes into heat instead of moving the cones.
All this is for garbage.
Who needs an electrical cable that is actually a resistor?
Who wants to set fire to his house?
Who needs a radio frequency cable that is actually a loss line?
However, I will never buy such a thing.
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I really shouldn't spend time on a 16 year old post.
I find it rather interesting. At the time i bought a few FC caps, determined they sucked and never used them again.
Are recent production non-magnetic? Can anyone confirm?
analog_sa,
I made the comment as I didn't notice the age of the post, and my understanding is that they are getting harder to find and I'm not even sure there in heavy production anymore. Plus I had seen several forum posts over the years indicating the displeasure of some that Panasonic caps had magnetic leads, which I did confirm years ago with their FM caps. The only common caps I knew to have copper leads are the ones often mentioned here, like Silmic, Nichicon Muse, etc. I have also seen some data sheets allude to a part number code indicating steel leads or copper leads as an option. It's been several years ago. Don't recall which manufacturer had that option.
I made the comment as I didn't notice the age of the post, and my understanding is that they are getting harder to find and I'm not even sure there in heavy production anymore. Plus I had seen several forum posts over the years indicating the displeasure of some that Panasonic caps had magnetic leads, which I did confirm years ago with their FM caps. The only common caps I knew to have copper leads are the ones often mentioned here, like Silmic, Nichicon Muse, etc. I have also seen some data sheets allude to a part number code indicating steel leads or copper leads as an option. It's been several years ago. Don't recall which manufacturer had that option.
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best for voicecoil, as I read, is Aluminium....
The likely cases:
Minimum Mass-- industrial tweeters, a few hot midranges: yes, Aluminum, but a pain to solder.
Mass is no big deal: most woofers "need" mass to extend the bass. Copper solders easy and reliable.
The case we can't talk about: ABsolute best conductivity/mass, Lithium. Very dangerous exposed to air.
I find it rather interesting. At the time i bought a few FC caps, determined they sucked and never used them again.
Are recent production non-magnetic? Can anyone confirm?
Mine have copper leads.
They are 12 months old.
Not sure about now.
Most of the Nichicon audio caps have copper leads.
Elna Silmic RFS have copper leads.
best for voicecoil, as I read, is Aluminium. It's not expensive but has the best figure of merit when you account for density and resistance.
In linear power supplies there are high charging current spikes, I am skeptical that magnetic capacitor leads are any kind of issue by themselves. Perhaps in phono . pre amps there is a need for extra care, even the materials of the case.
Yes, aluminum is 1/3 as dense as copper, conductivity is 2/3 of copper. So you need 33% thicker to get the same resistance. But weight is still lower than copper. The downside would be space. Thicker wires takes up more space.
Just as a follow up, and further clarification.
My Panasonic FM capacitors have magnetic iron lead wires
The Panasonic FC capacitors, have tinned copper leads ie non-magnetic.
That is how they are with mine.
Capacitors were purchased from digikey USA, approximately a year ago.
My Panasonic FM capacitors have magnetic iron lead wires
The Panasonic FC capacitors, have tinned copper leads ie non-magnetic.
That is how they are with mine.
Capacitors were purchased from digikey USA, approximately a year ago.
Mine have copper leads.
They are 12 months old.
Thank you. Mine are around 15 years old, bought from Digikey and definitely magnetic. It is quite possible my strong dislike for the sound is related to the leads, will have to try a new batch.
Very weird this has not been discussed before.
Well if they're iron based and non-magnetic they would have to be austenitic stainless steel (or similar), which really isn't any cheaper than copper.
So kind of dumb to do that unless they were designed to be used in a marine/corrosive environment.
I know for a fact my panasonic FC capacitors have copper leads.
Happy to confirm that by scanning electron microscope if people insist they're not.
So kind of dumb to do that unless they were designed to be used in a marine/corrosive environment.
I know for a fact my panasonic FC capacitors have copper leads.
Happy to confirm that by scanning electron microscope if people insist they're not.
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I found another thread on the site from years ago discussing this topic about FC/FM and other caps so I know I wasn't crazy thinking this had been already discussed. I poured over the datasheets last night and also poured over the Panasonic website - I couldn't find any evidence of calling out the leads used on the FC caps, so maybe it's whatever they have on hand. pico, that's great if you can get an answer on the subject. I'm a bit curious now.
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