[sdiy] tantalum

[harry]

I have not had many failures in tantalum bypass caps that...

1) could NEVER, ever see reverse polarity

2) had adequate voltage ratings.

Most Tantalum failure are from those causes.  I like them for decoupling, because
they have lower ESR than electrolytics. They have their place along with lytics
and
ceramics for decoupling.

I would not use a Tantalum in a charge / discharge application like an envelope
generator.  I'd use a film cap, or bipolar electrolytic.

H^) harry

Andre Majorel wrote:

> On 2002-01-31 23:22 -0000, Paul Maddox wrote:
>
> > > I'm building the Electronotes EG version 1 and it calls for 2uF
> > > electrolytic
> > > caps.  I have some Tantalum ones around from an LFO project, are these
> > > okay
> > > to swap in?
> >
> > They'll work, though if you want to keep it for a long time ( > 5 years) I
> > would put in electrolytics..
> > Tantalums are ok , but they have a habbit of going BANG after a few years of
> > use..
>
> I've also been told that, unlike aluminium caps that go open
> circuit when they fail, tantalum caps go closed circuit. The worst
> possible failure mode for a decoupling capacitor.
>
> The more I hear about tantalum caps, the less I like them.
>
> --
> André Majorel <amajorel at teaser.fr>
> http://www.teaser.fr/~amajorel/

--
Jihad Terrorism Conspiracy New World Order
Revolution Black Helicopters Freedom of
Speech First Amendment Rights: Carnivore Bait
go ahead and READ my e-mail I have nothing to
hide... how about YOU ???