How Safe are Ceramic Top Caps?
- Thread starter rcollege
- Start date
Common alumina ceramic is good for 15KV/mm. Air is more like 3KV/mm, which makes arcing highly unlikely at 500V. The more likely hazard is leakage due to surface crud accumulation, especially in the presence of moisture. I never handle those things until I've verified that no voltage is present!
seems like you could just use a small tool like a miniature flathead screwdriver to bend the contacts a bit closer
I've tried that, and the results aren't encouraging. Unfortunately, the typical Chinese ceramic anode connectors are very poorly manufactured. The DIY community needs a reasonable alternative.
The metal used in these is very soft and deforms readily
Hm.
Get a high-temperature (red) o-ring that will slip around the metal clips?
I've never used a top cap, just spitballing. I don't know a lot about their construction.
Back in the days of vacuum tube TV sets, manufacturers used a simple metal spring like thing to grip the top caps of the horizontal output tube. No protection for wayward fingers, but it was figured only TV serviemen, who knew the hazards, would be in there with the power on (TV sets had interlock power cords that would disengage when the back cover was removed). To protect people from ID10T errors.
If your amp is enclosed, then you could use these clips. I never much liked the current fashion of having tubes exposed when the amps are in consumer use.
If your amp is enclosed, then you could use these clips. I never much liked the current fashion of having tubes exposed when the amps are in consumer use.
Thank you all,
After much thought, I think I found a way to keep the top cap cover secure without harming the anode caps...many come off easily. If it works this will not allow the cap cover to be removed unless intentionally. I have been researching materials with a high dielectric strength and heat resistance. I will post a pic if it is successful.
After much thought, I think I found a way to keep the top cap cover secure without harming the anode caps...many come off easily. If it works this will not allow the cap cover to be removed unless intentionally. I have been researching materials with a high dielectric strength and heat resistance. I will post a pic if it is successful.