Please excuse such a basic question. I want to only order parts once, so wanted to post this up.
I have read info on the internet that states two capacitors can be connected in parallel and the the ratings will be additive (assuming they are the same voltage rating). However, the examples I've seen are always two caps of the same rating (i.e. 25ohm uF+ 25 ohm uF = 50 ohm uF).
My question: Does this also apply when the caps are different ratings (i.e. 10ohm uF + 22 ohm uF= 32 ohm uF)?
I have read info on the internet that states two capacitors can be connected in parallel and the the ratings will be additive (assuming they are the same voltage rating). However, the examples I've seen are always two caps of the same rating (i.e. 25
My question: Does this also apply when the caps are different ratings (i.e. 10
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Yes, in parallel, the capacitances add. And the units are farads, though, in your case probably microfarads - uF.
As well as capacitance, capacitors also have ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) though the difference in ESR impedance between two capacitors connected in parallel to add to one of the same capacitance is not worth worrying about.
As described above. Caps in parallel add, but the ESR may get wonky. The Voltage rating is the breakdown voltage of the cap, and in parallel all caps will see the same voltage. Some cap values (especially very small ones) are only available in high voltage versions, like 600V. You can safely mix 600V and 100V caps in a tweeter circuit for instance and assume your speaker will never see 100V, let alone 600V since that would be over 600 Wrms. 😀
A follow-up question:
When combining capacitors in parallel for my tweeter, what would be the better configuration to get to 33uF?
A. A 33uF 100V Electrolytic Non-Polarized Crossover Capacitor in parallel with a Dayton Audio DFFC-0.10 0.10uF 400V By-Pass Capacitor ?
Or:
B. A Jantzen 8100 10uF 160V Compact MKT Metalized Polyester Film Capacitor with a Jantzen 8140 22uF 160V Compact MKT Metalized Polyester Film Capacitor ?
I have the .10uF bypass and the 10uF MKT now, but need to order the other cap to reach 33uF.
When combining capacitors in parallel for my tweeter, what would be the better configuration to get to 33uF?
A. A 33uF 100V Electrolytic Non-Polarized Crossover Capacitor in parallel with a Dayton Audio DFFC-0.10 0.10uF 400V By-Pass Capacitor ?
Or:
B. A Jantzen 8100 10uF 160V Compact MKT Metalized Polyester Film Capacitor with a Jantzen 8140 22uF 160V Compact MKT Metalized Polyester Film Capacitor ?
I have the .10uF bypass and the 10uF MKT now, but need to order the other cap to reach 33uF.
Remember that the contributors to this thread may not have seen your series crossover.
Since you already have a 10 uF MKT you could simply add a 22 uF MKT in parallel.
Alternatively, a 33 uF electrolytic will do the same job on its own since, given its location/function, I see no necessity to include a bypass capacitor.
Since you already have a 10 uF MKT you could simply add a 22 uF MKT in parallel.
Alternatively, a 33 uF electrolytic will do the same job on its own since, given its location/function, I see no necessity to include a bypass capacitor.
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Exactly. Mixing caps with different ESRs can sound odd, sometimes maybe unpleasant. For example, if the smaller value cap has lower ESR than the larger value cap then the sound be seem subjectively too bright. Adding 100mOhms or so (that's right, 100 milliohms or maybe 200 or 300) in series with the smaller value cap may help balance out the sound in such cases.
If 100nF has Xc=160ohms@10k, how do you account for a fraction of an ohm?
In a series capacitor, its ESR acts like increased amplifier source impedance, which will change the response.
Stereophile has long published the variable frequency response of certain amplifiers due to their high source impedance
and a reactive load, which can be as much as several dB (unless the speaker has a resistive input impedance).
https://www.stereophile.com/content/vac-sigma-170i-iq-integrated-amplifier-measurements
Stereophile has long published the variable frequency response of certain amplifiers due to their high source impedance
and a reactive load, which can be as much as several dB (unless the speaker has a resistive input impedance).
https://www.stereophile.com/content/vac-sigma-170i-iq-integrated-amplifier-measurements
Around here if we need to use an electrolytic for coupling, it often sounds better with Wima .01uf MKP in parallel. Using Wima FKP instead sounds too bright, but put a .5R resistor in series with the FKP and now it sounds too dull. Somewhere in between 0R and .5R added resistance is where it sounds most balanced with the sound of the electrolytic (which might have been of the now obsolete UKZ type, say, maybe 50uf or 100uf).
Its an easy experiment to do. Maybe some people will hear a difference and other people won't. Using electrostatic speakers with very low distortion compared to cone speakers may make differences easier to hear.
Its an easy experiment to do. Maybe some people will hear a difference and other people won't. Using electrostatic speakers with very low distortion compared to cone speakers may make differences easier to hear.