Will it explode???

[Terry Michaels]

Message text written by Merlin Zener
>Tony Allgood wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I've got a tube amp with a 485 volt HT supply. It needs a new filter
> (smoothing) cap of 22uF. I've got 450V rated ones. What do you reckon,
> safe or not? If not can I get hold of 500V plus capacitor without having
> to do a two in series plus resistors job? Farnell, CPC and Maplin can
> not supply such beasties.
> 

er, no!
The working voltage is to be approached, not exceeded...
I generally allow an easy 25 - 30 percent extra *above* what
I think will be there, to be safe.
Stick two in series, if you can fit them in physically, sometimes
it's even cheaper to do it that way.

-- 
Merlin Zener                <

Hi Tony, Merlin:

Keep in mind when you put two capacitors in series, you need caps with
twice the capacitance of the one you are replacing, as the capacitance of
the combined unit will be half the capacitance of the individual caps. 

Terry Michaels