Rules for capacitors...

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Htguy

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Joined 2003
#1
Hi,

I am upgrading the caps in one of my projects and I have an 85vdc input and the caps I want to use (Wet Tantalum) are rated at 60vdc, if I use two caps in parallel I would add their capacitance together (C1+C2) but would that also mean that I could run up to 120vdc through them?

Thanks

God bless...

Mark
 
#2
No, paralleling caps will double capacitance but not double voltage rating. To double voltage rating, you will have to place them in series, which will halve their capacitance (assuming they are of identical value). Placing voltage equalising resistors across them may also be a good idea so that they share the voltage evenly.
 
#4
It is simply physics. When putting them in parallel you increase the plate area but you still have the same voltage across each capacitor. When putting them in series, they will each handle part of the voltage but the plate area is decreased. If you think back to your AC theory course, I am sure you will remember. The rules are exactly opposite of the rules for resistors and inductors.

Here is a good site to help refresh your capacitor theory: http://www.oz.net/~coilgun/theory/capacitors.htm

Pay particular attention to the 3rd page "Multiple Capacitors".
 
#5
tantlum caps are Not a audio "Upgrade"

it is a really stupid idea to series tantalum caps for more voltage

if the leakage and C ratio don't match exactly you will get unequal division of the voltage and with Tantalum caps the failure mechanism is to short circuit (at least until they catch fire due to power dissapation if the supply is stiff enough )

Do Not Use Tantalum caps where there is any possibility of exceeding their V rating

aside from the fact that Tantalum caps are highly distorting, mining tantalum has bad environmental and humanitarian consequences


modern low esr, long life Al electrolytics should meet any audio need
 
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