[sdiy] How do old electrolytics go bad?

[Roy J. Tellason]

On Sunday 08 February 2009 03:28:34 am ASSI wrote:
> On Sonntag, 8. Februar 2009, Roy J. Tellason wrote:
> > The actual electrolyte isn't the stuff that's between the plates,
> > which is conductive BTW,  but a thin layer of oxide (?) on one
> > plate,  I forget if it's the positive or the negative one.  This is
> > applied when the cap is made, and the thickness of the layer
> > determines both the capacitance and the working voltage.
>
> The actual electrolyte _is_ the conductive stuff (and it indeed makes
> up the negative plate together with the cathode foil) and the aluminum
> oxide is the dielectric.  

I meant to say "the actual dielectric" there...


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