Can I expect any immediate improvements using X2 capacitors across my AC line? It was reccommend to me. I thought it would be best to have this confirmed by members of this forum.
Thank you
Can I expect any immediate improvements using X2 capacitors across my AC line?
An X2 cap across the mains transformer primary can suppress arcing at the switch so lengthen its life and reduce switch-off noises.
But between them usually is placed a common mode inductor that consist of two winding in a ferrite core in the same direction, and as hardly coupled as consistent with isolation permits.
No, this is not necessary. With the capacitor in place across the transformer primary the frequency components in the switch-off transient are much lower than they would be, so distance of connection does not matter.ClaveFremen said:To achieve maximum results shouldn't the cap be as near as possible to switch pins?
That is because the exact value does not matter very much. Personally I would use somewhere between 5nF and 100nF. If you really want to you can calculate the value after measuring the transformer inductance and resistance, but few people bother.samoloko said:I see different applications with a wide range from 0.0022 to 1 uF
An improvement in what?Often it will give an improvement, modest most of the times.
If you are worried about this then it would be better placed across the switch contacts in series with 100R to form a snubber.An X2 cap across the mains transformer primary can suppress arcing at the switch so lengthen its life and reduce switch-off noises. It will make very little difference to sound under normal operation.
This also makes a nice resonant tank. Unless you get really unlucky with component selection, I'd expect it to be of no real consequence.... With the capacitor in place across the transformer primary the frequency components in the switch-off transient are much lower than they would be, so distance of connection does not matter.
True. But, the capacitor value should be extremely small. Realistically, this isn't a concern. Just don't go throw a huge cap across there. 0.1uF or less is a good starting point.Putting the cap across the switch means the device is never completely switched off, unless the cap is very small.
+1 100R and 0.01uF, if you're concerned about the switch contacts arcing. Otherwise, there's no purpose.If you are worried about this then it would be better placed across the switch contacts in series with 100R to form a snubber.