As most (all?) electrolytics have some form of vent built into the can, should the position of the vent be taken into consideration during the equipment design?
I'm not sure how the vents are designed but if one places the electrolytic vertically with the vent at the bottom, is there a greater chance of leakage?
I've looked on some manufacturers websites but there doesn't seem to be any data on this topic.🙁
I'm not sure how the vents are designed but if one places the electrolytic vertically with the vent at the bottom, is there a greater chance of leakage?
I've looked on some manufacturers websites but there doesn't seem to be any data on this topic.🙁
They can be used in any position...
The vent only serves a purpose in the event of excess gassing/pressure in the cap... which is due to either incorrect use or natural failure of the cap. Some caps are vented at the top (the aluminium can is designed to split) and some are vented at the bottom in the seal. In normal use the caps can be considered as sealed.
The vent only serves a purpose in the event of excess gassing/pressure in the cap... which is due to either incorrect use or natural failure of the cap. Some caps are vented at the top (the aluminium can is designed to split) and some are vented at the bottom in the seal. In normal use the caps can be considered as sealed.
One should always assume that sooner or later the cap will fail. Orienting the vent so that the leaked electrolyte causes minimum damage may be a good idea in the long term.
I was quite dumstruck by the last set of BHC caps I got, it actualy has a rubber plug in the can for venting.
Maybe not all electrolytics...
Orienting the capacitor might make some kind of a difference, but if the case is compromised the "capacitor goo" is likely to make a mess anyway.
Orienting the capacitor might make some kind of a difference, but if the case is compromised the "capacitor goo" is likely to make a mess anyway.
I own and operate a pro audio repair shop. Exploding caps is a very small percentage of the repairs I do. And when a cap goes off the deep end, many things can happen. Often it is a small cap that explodes and shoots the can off into space, leaving shredded paper and foil from its innards all through the amp. When a radial cap is soldered to the board, the end of the cap does not seal against the board, so if it vents, whatever comes out will escape. WHichever end vents, count on any goo coming out getting all over the place. But it doesn't happen often.
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