[sdiy] Tube amp cap discharge tool?

[KHeck73 at aol.com]

Just another thing to point out... It takes time for the capacitor to  drain. 
So, leave the resistor or short connected for a minute or two, then  check 
with a voltmeter to be sure it's dead. The larger the capacitor, the  more 
volume there is in the dielectric. I remember in my youth fooling with  a big 
electrolytic and making the bang with a screwdriver. I could pop it  several times, 
even after holding a direct short across the capacitor  for several moments. 
With a direct short, the capacitor can reverse  charge itself from the rush of 
extra electrons overshooting from  one plate to the other. Part of the charge 
can still be there  unless it has time to completely equalize. Ben Franklin 
sort of stuff.
 
-Karl.
 
In a message dated 5/19/2005 6:31:16 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
ecircuit at telus.net writes:

For the  small amount of time that it would take 
to wire up a clip lead with a  discharging resistor, it really makes sense to 
play it safe. I certainly  wouldn't want anyone working on my equipment to 
start 
shorting out power  supply capacitors.





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