Tech: Does it really matter what a capacitor is made of?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

All things being equal (Capacitance Rating, Voltage, Polarity, Leads)
does it matter if its a Ceramic Disk, or an Electrolytic, or a Mylar,
or one of the other kinds of capacitors?

I am looking to replace the 0.1uF 500v caps across the switch contacts
of my F-14 and the local electronic store only has mylar capacitors at
this voltage level (or higher), but the guy the works there can only
say "maybe" it will work.

Which I don't understand - shouldn't a capacitor be a capacitor - I
understand physical dimensions may cause problems in certain
environments, but that's not a huge issue inside a pin cabinet.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

THANKS FOR THE EXTREMELY QUICK RESPONSES - and for providing some
insight!

 

[martin]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Actually - it does matter. But mylar's fine for this app.

Different capacitors have different "speed" characteristics. Mylar is
slower than mica or ceramic, because it is wound like a coil.
Electrolytics are generally polarized and the wrong direction gives the
wrong result.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

myler should be ok for this app..
see
http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/data/capacitor/capacitor_types.php

for all the details
/Tim
E-Hacker wrote:
> All things being equal (Capacitance Rating, Voltage, Polarity, Leads)
> does it matter if its a Ceramic Disk, or an Electrolytic, or a Mylar,
> or one of the other kinds of capacitors?
>
> I am looking to replace the 0.1uF 500v caps across the switch contacts
> of my F-14 and the local electronic store only has mylar capacitors at
> this voltage level (or higher), but the guy the works there can only
> say "maybe" it will work.
>
> Which I don't understand - shouldn't a capacitor be a capacitor - I
> understand physical dimensions may cause problems in certain
> environments, but that's not a huge issue inside a pin cabinet.
>

 

[Chris]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

For the application you are using, no. Where caps are important as far as
construction is in circuits where they are used as DC blocks, i.e., to pass
audio...the material composition can "color" the signal. For general purpose
bypass or switch debounce, no.

Chris

"E-Hacker" <ehacker1066@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1127266923.727376.262210@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> All things being equal (Capacitance Rating, Voltage, Polarity, Leads)
> does it matter if its a Ceramic Disk, or an Electrolytic, or a Mylar,
> or one of the other kinds of capacitors?
>
> I am looking to replace the 0.1uF 500v caps across the switch contacts
> of my F-14 and the local electronic store only has mylar capacitors at
> this voltage level (or higher), but the guy the works there can only
> say "maybe" it will work.
>
> Which I don't understand - shouldn't a capacitor be a capacitor - I
> understand physical dimensions may cause problems in certain
> environments, but that's not a huge issue inside a pin cabinet.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

E-Hacker wrote:
>
> All things being equal (Capacitance Rating, Voltage, Polarity, Leads)
> does it matter if its a Ceramic Disk, or an Electrolytic, or a Mylar,
> or one of the other kinds of capacitors?
>
> I am looking to replace the 0.1uF 500v caps across the switch contacts
> of my F-14 and the local electronic store only has mylar capacitors at
> this voltage level (or higher), but the guy the works there can only
> say "maybe" it will work.
>
> Which I don't understand - shouldn't a capacitor be a capacitor - I
> understand physical dimensions may cause problems in certain
> environments, but that's not a huge issue inside a pin cabinet.

It depends on the application. You would not want to use an
electrolytic (if you could even find one in that value) where
a disk or mylar is specified. I know you wanted a quick answer,
but for those who are interested, the latest issue of Nuts & Volts
magazine has an informative article that gives all the scoop on
various capacitor types and their applications (and drawbacks).

--Bob

=======================================================================
Bob Ellingson bobe@halted.com
Halted Specialties Co., Inc. http://www.halted.com
3500 Ryder St. (408) 732-1573
Santa Clara, Calif. 95051 USA (408) 732-6428 (FAX)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

The mylar will work fine there...but it is 100 times more expensive from a
manufacturing point. newer technology spawns better product. but if you
have to replace that 60's technology cap with an 80's version, it's your
choice🙂
"Chris" <munsonjulieNOSPAM@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:F_2Ye.1421$Ba2.259@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
> For the application you are using, no. Where caps are important as far as
> construction is in circuits where they are used as DC blocks, i.e., to
pass
> audio...the material composition can "color" the signal. For general
purpose
> bypass or switch debounce, no.
>
> Chris
>
> "E-Hacker" <ehacker1066@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1127266923.727376.262210@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > All things being equal (Capacitance Rating, Voltage, Polarity, Leads)
> > does it matter if its a Ceramic Disk, or an Electrolytic, or a Mylar,
> > or one of the other kinds of capacitors?
> >
> > I am looking to replace the 0.1uF 500v caps across the switch contacts
> > of my F-14 and the local electronic store only has mylar capacitors at
> > this voltage level (or higher), but the guy the works there can only
> > say "maybe" it will work.
> >
> > Which I don't understand - shouldn't a capacitor be a capacitor - I
> > understand physical dimensions may cause problems in certain
> > environments, but that's not a huge issue inside a pin cabinet.
> >
>
>