Capacitors.

Started by Now_And_Then, October 15, 2014, 11:52:14 AM

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Now_And_Then


How often need a piece of electronics be powered up in order to insure the viability of its capacitors?

Thanks!

Elantric

Electrolytic Capacitors lifespan is "designed in - there are various grades available  -

To extend the life, its more important to avoid exposure to high Heat.

Reference:

https://www.digikey.com/Web%20Export/Supplier%20Content/Elna_604/PDF/elna-reliability-of-aluminum-electrolytic-caps.pdf



Now_And_Then

Quote from: Elantric on October 15, 2014, 11:58:59 AM
Electrolytic Capacitors lifespan is "designed in - there are various grades available

Unfortunately, that's a reasonable answer; "unfortunately" because it's not really an actionable answer.

Let me put it this way, then: If you, personally, Elantric, had a bunch of stuff, and you didn't know the capacitor grades with which most of that stuff was assembled, how often would you power up that stuff?

GuitarBuilder

The electrolyte in electrolytic capacitors will dry up over time whether you power it up or not.  For consumer grade circuits, about 15-20 years is all you get.
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

gumtown

Super cheap gear 5~10 years, reasonable brand~pro gear about 15~20 or beyond, I have seen gear 40+ years without having caps replaced still working fine.
Elevated temperatures and over voltage can shorten the lifecycle of an electrolytic capacitor.
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