EEVblog #33 1of2 - Capacitor Tutorial (Electrolytic, Tantalum, & Plastic Film)

[@EEVblog]

Sorry you find it irritating. It is actually a natural part of my voice, and is quite common in Australia. Look up "High Rising Terminal" for instance. Yes, I do it even when talking about dull stuff. I can't please everyone, many people actually LIKE IT and would hate it if I changed to something more drone. I could probably control it if I tried, and did re-takes. But that's not me, and trying to change the way I talk because a few people don't like it is, well, really kinda silly I think.

[@zoxwolf2133]

But i always laugh a litle when i hear you so it is good thing right :) So dont do drone voice cheers mate :)

[@pantherplatform]

F those haters. I'm from a part of a state in a part of the country where southerners like to make fun of the way we talk up here. Life is good up here. F those drawl talkin' haters.

[@hikusteel5570]

Speak whatever you feel like I will always enjoy learning new things from you. Regards from Turkey.

[@jeffbanfieldsflwr3537]

I love your voice. In fact I prefer it. Please don't let the negative Nancy's get to ya.

[@clems6989]

I go back and watch these old videos. And it blows my mind how far you have come Dave. Its amazing. But it is all due to your vast knowledge of theory as well as your personality. I love when you get really excited about a subject...Ive been following for a long tine, and have learned a great deal from you. So, a giant THANK YOU !

[@chemtype]

This guy hasn't aged a day in six years.

[@joemineildomingo347]

im from philippines theres a lot yamashita treasure here u know. will u make a diagram to make a deep sence detector. ihave a treasure map.

[@JohnLeaf]

just eat raw vegetables

[@kirtikumarbaba]

I don't believe you. It's not possible.

[@asagk]

Even in 12 years he didn't really. Australia must at least where he lives be a place where people do not age at all.

[@RandyLott]

@@asagk He takes pretty good care of his body. He's a certified personal trainer, or at-least was.

[@Afrotechmods]

Neat tip on the ballast resistors thanks!

[@plasmawave2565]

How have you got no replies in 12 years lol XD? Love your tutorials and videos as well!

[@gamccoy]

You get theory about ideal caps in the classroom but you don't get the practical side of how to implement them in a real application. This is one of the things that make this blog pure gold. As Dave would say "I like it".

[@wither8]

"the damn things are flammable... and this is generally considered a bad thing" lol

[@volcomstoned876]

I've been a real prick in the comments lately. I just wanted to apologize and thank you for making these videos, and putting up with people who act like I did at times

[@EvgeniBelin]

Dave is Steve Irwin of electronics -- he is genuinely excited by all these little circuit-populating critters! Love the channel.

[@EEVblog]

I'm Australian, I can't help it. I've actually had more people say the like the accent than those who dis it. So based on the current poll, I'm not going to voice-over school. Sorry.

[@rajeshpais1629]

One of the most detailed videos, I have not seen a more detailed video than this one, I am a novice when it comes to electronics, but videos like these is what novices like myself need to look at, only a few videos talk about esr and esl which is why I have understood why we use a ceramic capacitor, but I still not understood why do we use a capacitor, and if they are in parallel to the load them the load is getting twice the energy, amazing knowledge shared thank for being my guru just like another channel afrotechmod.

[@shadow7037932]

Watching this 10 years later... man, you haven't aged much!

[@yummyzoot]

Dave is my Hero. I am an EE with 35 years experience and still learning a lot from Dave...

[@eliseomoran7388]

It is the best, shortest ans practical explanation I have ever seen. Great work Dave with this video.

[@macromeda3746]

this guy's sentences always end with a '!'

[@NTA_Luciana]

I can't unhear it.

[@user-su5sq5ib3i]

Bingeuw

[@youvebeensubbedto8009]

It makes listening to the videos so much more engaging lol

[@johnrubensaragi4125]

1:12 begs to disagree...

[@LydellAaron]

I'm a fan of your videos. I went back to this earlier video and what I really appreciate is your insight and experience. You hit on all the best aspects of capacitors in this video. Thank you.

[@berlinjackson1847]

I enjoy your electronics videos. Excellent

[@PrinceWesterburg]

You make electronics soooo easy to understand! :o)

[@rlamb51]

a good thumb nail sketch of capacitor types and properties. A practical look at the implications of them. Plus delivered in the Dave way! super fun, informative, and entertaining.

[@dedasdude]

your tone of voice is simply awesome. not just children but also adults will enjoy your happy voice.

[@yoramalon5273]

This guy is brilliant and knowledgeable.

[@vk3hau]

Arrrr, the days when KZbin had a 10min limit.

[@leozendo3500]

So much enthusiasm. Must be precious tutorials back then.

[@Thorsummoner0]

Any chance we could get reissue of episode 33? Your production quality has improved dramatically since this was published, great work Dave, you are such an inspiration!

[@jimbosley1177]

And Dave knows (see his Tektronix 2245B refurb video) that you have to install them in the right direction!. Electrolytics do explode - Dave just about jumped through the ceiling... Just given you a little bit of the business, Dave. Super helpful video, Dave. Thanks.

[@mortenlund1418]

you need 6 stars. Info is so exceptionel good. Thank you over and over again.

[@sneakerset]

Thanks for reviewing the application and construction of components. You've got an excellent working grasp of the E.E. field. And I (for one) appreciate that you keep the Simpson analog meter parked within easy reach. Mine's approaching 35 years old.....and it looks like it will survive my passing(plus it fits right in with the WW II radio collection). Thanks again....btw, I'd recommend Global Specs. update service for anyone who desires to stay on the curve(especially with RF components)

[@italicus84]

Great video Dave!! Some considerations about caps in series: the resistances will be an additional load to power. They will heat, so choose and position them wisely, so that they don't worsen the thermal weaknesses of the caps they are helping. If the current leaking from one of the caps in series is not minimal, the next cap will overload (it will go above its max rated v) even with the resistors network. Cheers from Italy you crazy Aussie bloke!!!

[@daveyhogan5332]

Seeing that I spent 60k for a eet associate's degree. I understand everything u said. Scraping computer part to melt down. After I get a trash can full. Love the video. Thanks

[@tommyseacat3580]

this should be renamed to "the problems with most capacitors"

[@elecnut8211]

Great job! I learn something from every one of your videos.

[@JakeOfAllTrades17]

Wow! I thought I wouldn't find another great teacher after Bucky, but I like the looks of this dude! He looks like a good teacher already

[@EEVblog]

@spelunkerd Yes, all electro's should have a negative marking.

[@EEVblog]

@daddyoca69 Use the parametric search tools on Digikey or Mouser or Farnell. It's often easy to start by narrowing down by something like footprint size and price as a first order.

[@TheDrunkenMug]

Thanks for the tip of putting both a PolyPopylene and a Polyester cap in parallel to achieve better temperature stability, Dave.. :) I might try that in a Tube radio rebuild I am planning of doing in the near future, the insides of those chassis can get pretty toasty so I wonder if it would have added value doing it like you mentioned (on selected, perhaps more sensitive, spots inside the circuit). Greetings from the Netherlands

[@waltercomunello121]

Dave: "These things are horrible! Don't use them!" *finds electrolytic capacitors everywhere*

[@Richard_P_James]

This man really knows his caps!! Enjoyed watching it as I have to do a re-cap soon on an old piece of audio kit.

[@EEVblog]

I am not offended. I take any and all feedback, thanks. Not everyone thinks the HRT is annoying or distracting. More people have commented that they LIKE the way I talk and deliver, and DON'T want me to change. How do I please everyone? Yes, I'm happy with the way I talk, it's ME. I think it would be better to let my delivery naturally change as I get more experience. I'm trying to eliminate the fillers because they take up valuable time, but that's been hard to do with no script.

[@notanexpert9476]

You're the Steve Erwin of electrical components.

[@EEVblog]

@Bracerjack Thanks. Hopefully more tutorial videos to come.

[@luv2code]

You are lucky enough to have two commenters that care enough to leave constructive criticism. We are both saying we like you and we want you to be better. IMO (and probably James'), removing the HRT-like thing you do would make your video go from pretty good - to excellent.

[@ytrew9717]

10 years old, It would be great to have video, please Dave!!!

[@nomanisanisland]

Very insightful. I'll definitely refer to these vids. one Australian to another... ascent means squat, keep doing your thing, you are very inspiring.

[@EEVblog]

"sodder" is one of my pet hates!

[@wadepatton2433]

Funny, that's the only way I've heard it pronounced in my area of the world in 50 years. A world separated by Common Languages eh?

[@Heathmcdonald]

@@wadepatton2433 in America its sodder and everywhere else pronounces the 'l'

[@universalsailor]

"The higher the temperature the shorter the life ..." Bad news for Queenslanders. I am now absolutely terrified of electrolytic capacitors by the way.

[@Ferretsnarf]

I swear I have a heart attack every time I build a circuit and I hope I put the electrolytics in correctly. It always freaks me out when one blows.

[@universalsailor]

Ferretsnarf You always have to respect a component that can kill you even when the power is off. Opening some project cases is like opening a box of scorpions. Have you seen those super caps with hundreds of Michael Faradays in them? Shudder.

[@krisztianszirtes5414]

Ferretsnarf I just fucked up a PSU a few weeks ago. I did a stability test (left it on for 2 hours with some load on it) and a cap exploded with a really loud bang. 30 cms from my head. While watching a movie. It scared the living shit out of me :D

[@rich1051414]

Once I hooked up a 12v DC device to 20v AC supply on accident(they used the same plug). All 4 reservoir caps popped one after the other. I thought it was the fourth of july.

[@rutgerhoutdijk3547]

I recently blew one up, I connected 28v to a board and it was probably not rated for that. I had my head above the board to see if the leds turned on and there was a loud bang and some metal piece hit my forehead pretty hard. I don't wanna know what could have happened if I got it in the eye.

[@wildfire8694]

Thank you ,i have learned so much from you and you are a really great teacher.

[@ElectronicsNotes]

Whilst aluminium electrolytic can be horrible, if used well within their rated specs that can give a useful reliable life for many years. I agree they can dry out after many years, but today equipment is not normally expected to be used for that long anyway.

[@NOFX0890]

This is excellent. Helping me navigate components.Thankyou mate. New subscriber.

[@TerminalJack505]

An important thing to remember when designing circuits is to 'derate' the capacitors. That is, use capacitors whose voltages and perhaps capacitance (when bypassing, for example) are higher than the maximum necessary. The amount to derate is a function of (among other things) the capacitor material and maximum ambient temperature. Derating is necessary since the capacitor will, as Dave mentioned, breakdown over time. Aluminum electrolytic caps are the worst so far as this goes.

[@picobyte]

Lol,old story,had one of those shooting a hole in our gypsum ceiling as a kid :) Later one shot my resin plated hollow door! They shoot through your casing and still be lethal! The velocity is really like or better(better??)that of air guns!

[@ArtR0001]

What about mylar caps? Also, back in my military days, all caps were received and stored with lead taped together to prevent a recovery recharge. Large caps for transmitter power supplies had shorting straps for the same reason. Haven't seen that used in years though.

[@HighestRank]

They don't sing 'Anchors Aweigh' 'Anchor's Away' for nothing...

[@Harwkins39]

Well done. lots of good info on caps in just 10 minutes.

[@luv2code]

I might be silly to change it in your everyday life. But it makes sense to reduce or remove anything that might narrow your audience if you are presenting something to the public. Take it like saying "um" and "uh" a lot when speaking. In speech class, they teach you to eliminate fillers because it's a distraction for the listener. James and I are just saying that the HRT-like thing is a distraction.

[@sciencetroll3208]

I only ever use electrolitics and tantalums, so I guess I have a few things to learn.

[@TechTed1]

you can use them as a paper capacitor even after electrolytes goes off but with low capacitance

[@madamerotten]

Don't assume that low ESR aluminum electrolytics will work universally with all low-dropout voltage regulators. Many of these regulators need a _specific range_ of ESR to prevent oscillation. Regarding mica capacitors, NPO ceramics rival temperature stability, but don't generally sustain as high a voltage as the mica types.

[@Pootycat8359]

Hee, hee, so those lines inscribed on the top are a "pressure vent"? I thought the pressure vent was the rubber part on the bottom, which is designed so when it blows, all that corrosive juice gets sprayed onto the PCB, and into the other components!

[@fergaletto]

Hi Dave! A video about ultracapacitors would be awesome!! Thanks for this one...

[@brucewilliams6292]

Thanks for the info on the capacitors. I have seen many circuits that have a slot for two capacitors and they only install 1. know I know what to do to make these this last longer.

[@TheRochlan]

Thanks for the great video. I have a qestion on the temperature of electrolytic caps: I'm trying to find non-functioning caps on a pcb. None show any visual signs of damage (bulging etc.), so before I make the effort to solder them out to test them individually, I was wondering whether I could see if they are within their temperature specs by measuring the temperature while in use, using a infrared temperature measurement device (pointed at the caps, one at a time). Am I going somewhere with this, or does it make no sense and there is just no way around soldering and testing all caps invididually? PS: Keep up the good work!

[@maximum7904]

Hi Mr Dave Jones I would like to see you make a video on how to solder film capacitors like polypropylene as film can melt with heat I looking forward to solder thru hole polypropylene but scared about it's melting point

[@crumplezone1]

"The force is strong with this one" great infomative vid bud

[@GrantsPassTVRepair]

Excellent tutorial on capacitors. Thanks!

[@classicsamusaran3817]

Electrolytic capacitors mounted on electronic circuits of devices manufactured after 1990 can remain unused for as long as possible without this disuse causing failures and depolarization in the electrolytic capacitors?

[@robviolin1]

You are a lot smarter than most of us humans. Thanks for always sharing and posting.

[@EEVblog]

@NawnExistent I'll take that as a complement!

[@spelunkerd]

Are there labels on electrolyte capacitors to tell neg from pos polarity? Can you tell which side is which just by looking at where the wires go?

[@evergriven7402]

GREAT videos Dont stop making them

[@BobDiaz123]

The best part about electrolytic and tantalum capacitors is blowing them up. Now if you want to turn them into firecrackers, you have to be careful, but it can be fun !!!! 😁😁😁

[@Shawn_White]

4:37 I was looking over a D-link DFE-530tx 10\100 NIC and there is an AAT1201 voltage regulator with 2 x(47 uF aluminum electrolyte caps) together like in that diagram except there was no resistors nearby through hole or surfacemount. can you get away with this or is this a bad product design.

[@garyjohnson4608]

I have a question about using electrolytic capacitors in power supplies. Is there any way of knowing if you should use polarized or non polarized ? Or do you just try it and if it doesn't work change it ?

[@MrRajkarthi]

Good informative video....I have a question..I have a power amp and the filter caps are 7500uf ...if I replaced with 10000uf ... what will happen...and which brand is good for filter caps

[@classicsamusaran3817]

I've been keeping old electronic devices from the early 90's and 2000's example snes console, ps2 slim and crt tvs will these devices have problems with aluminum electrolytic capacitors if stored for a long time?

[@JosephLorentzen]

What cautions would you consider when replacing electrolytes with MLCC?

[@duanethompson2360]

How do you calculate the resistance value to go in parallel with series electrolytic caps. I thought you just picked a high value like 100k. I have 650vdc with two 47uf 450vdc in series across it. Thanks Duane

[@luv2code]

The proper way to respond would be "Thanks for your feedback; but It's my accent, and I like it. It's common in Australia, here's more info [(insert wiki link)]" A response like that would probably curb all further discussion. P.S. I'm glad none of the Aussies I know have HRT ;)

[@100roberthenry]

hi..could you please explain what the different types of caps are like in audio projects.. id like to know the audible difference in film and ceramic of the same value..is there any? rob.

[@HiRiderAce]

Hey cap man, I just want to know how I can explode a 2400MFD 450 VDC cap. All I have is a 15KV Transformer. I tried a parallel connection across secondary and lost voltage. In series, it just passed through. Do I need to rectify to DC ?

[@classicsamusaran3817]

i have electrolytic capacitors mounted on electronic devices from 1990, how long can these devices remain unused and without the electrolytic capacitors failing due to disuse?

[@TheOysterjam]

depends on what voltage and amp hours youre looking for

[@johnthompson3643]

Is there any reason to use an SMD 1uF Tantalum cap over a ceramic? The datasheet for the part I'm using calls out a Tantalum, but i believe it's just due to ceramic capacitors historically not being able to generate higher capacitances. These days you can get 100uF, even 500uF ceramic capacitors.

[@salvovulcan9725]

why in tube electronics (guitar amp) oil capacitors or vintage cap make sound better than modern type? thanks

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

What we perceive as *"better"* (warmpth, brightness, wow, flutter, etc) is mainly because our brains are *anolog* not digital. Just as vinyl will sound "better" (to audiophiles) than a CD recording.

[@SONOFAZOMBIE2025]

HUBBABUBBA DOOPYDOOP SACD eats vinyl for breakfast

[@quadrunner2124]

Salvo Pulvirenti In some applications they match the design philosophy.

[@asagk]

They don't... but they make a better choice along with styroflex and foil caps. The downside is, they all come expensive... but have great life time expectency.

[@brianblasius]

Hello, kindly do a video about feedthrough capacitors.

[@Raiders6thgoalie]

if they are 220 uf 100v caps. Are they the same type, and if all the values are the same than it shouldn't matter. Remember polarity!

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Ever hear of budroc capacitors? I have a 55 Gibson junior I wonder if it’s original

[@roberthurless4615]

HI, when you talk about using two electrolytics in parallel do you mean two separate caps or would a dual cap such as a 50/50 at 450V work the same? I hope my question is not to long winded. lol I am referring to the old four input Marshall amps. Up till about 1968 or so they used two 100uf/350V caps in series. But then they changed to two 50/50 caps in a parallel/series configuration for the first two stages. The first one for the OT center tap and the second one for the power tube screens. Thank you for the videos. They have been most helpful.

[@ericyoung3480]

Can you replace a polymer cap with a electrolytic cap and vise versa if the microfarad and the volts are the exact same? I ask because on the original xbox the same revision motherboards I have seen both for there 1500uf 6.3v caps

[@esnam6557]

Thanks for the nice video. How can we distinguish between x and y main capacitors? There are also min capacitors with grey packages (rather than yellow), is there any difference between their type?

[@YoungOrbital]

Great video Dave , thought it might help me fix my Dyson motor, it has one of these x1 self healing capactors attached to the motor, now my question is , is it possible that this capacitor is defective like a short and therefore the motor doesnt work or is it there just for protection and even if the capacitor is defective the motor should still work, not sure if I'm making much sence

[@BourbonAndCocaCola]

I'd love to see you do reviews of PC power supplies mate (build quality/efficiency etc). There are some decent sites out there but yours would be a lot more entertaining, to say the least. Reading reviews is rather boring, it'd be a hell of a lot more interesting to actually watch them. Just a thought!

[@andoypordoy2491]

Hi, I'm wondering if you can help me figure out what kind of capacitor and its specifications. The marking on top of the can is FP / 17Be / 271 / 16. Thanks...

[@SimmeringPotpourri]

How important is ripple and impedance? I have an old motherboard that has a bad electrolytic cap that I would like to replace. Now, I don't have an ESR meter (yet) but since caps are pretty cheap, I figured I'd just replace a bunch of them but I can't exactly find specific specs for them (OST 470uf 16v 105c, 1000uf 10v, 1000uf 6.3v, RLP 1000uf 6.3v). I found some replacement suggestions but I'm a little concerned about choosing them without all of the info.

[@HighestRank]

Generally, your worries are about the voltage and polarity. Measure the voltages and note the polarity during operation and buy the largest µf caps that will fit in that space while at least having an equal Or higher V rating.

[@MatrixOfDynamism]

The last thing you said about Electrolytic Capacitors was that they have "10-20% Recovery something like that", what are you talking about exactly?

[@zunriya]

he eternal on its form hasn't aged a single day in 10 years

[@MrAndreapas79]

hi What are the differences between polyester film and stacked polyester film?

[@DalikAVR]

I am not sure about those bipolar electrolytics made of two normal caps connected antiserial. What is a capacity of this system? I thing it´s not C/2....

[@isaacderr2799]

This is and oldie but a goodie!

[@OrenUrbach]

If the electrolytic caps are so horrible, why do 80% of the products use them?

[@HiixMan1]

Hi I have question Im about replace capacitors 220 uf 100v but capacitors came bigger than those on board does the size of them matter or its just matter of space on board thank you for reply

[@boybravo689]

Sir if i made a non polar cap with a capacitance of 470uf each what is the total capacitance of the two tnx

[@ELECTROxigeno76.]

Great vídeo, tks Dave,..