On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 01:38:56 GMT Zoran Brlecic
wrote:

Bob wrote:

In general, electrolytic capacitors should be operated not terribly much
below their ratings.

I am curious: where did you hear this and what is the rationale? I've
never heard anything similar before, although I suppose it is possible.

I hear it a lot, but never with any real justification. The only
reason that I can see why this would be a problem is that you've
wasted some money.

I really don't think a 50V electrolyic capacitor suffers a bit if you
only put 10V across it.

I've also never seen any mention of this in any manufacturer's data
sheets or catalogs.

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Jim Adney
Madison, WI 53711 USA
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I really don't think a 50V electrolyic capacitor suffers a bit if you
only put 10V across it.

I've also never seen any mention of this in any manufacturer's data
sheets or catalogs.

Jim Adney
Madison, WI 53711 USA

Actually, it seems not only Jim is correct, but the Mouser catalog (#605) has
an *Application Note* at the top of its electrolytic cap products that state,
"A higher voltage capacitor may be used in a lower voltage application." It
does not elaborate or suggest there are limitations to this rule. (See Pg.'s
248, 249, 250, 251) 8~]