[sdiy] How do old electrolytics go bad?

[Oren Leavitt]

The instantaneous current flow caused by a short-curcuit discharge can 
damage (or degrade) large value electrolytics - usually by breaking the 
point where the lead connects to the inner foil like a blown fuse.
Some capacitors, such as photoflash capacitors, are designed with 
heavier electrode structures for instantaneous discharge.
If you have to discharge a capacitor, a "soft" discharge using a 
resistor is the preferred way.

- Oren

Samppa Tolvanen wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> What about a discharge using a screwdriver?
> 
> Samppa
> _______________________________________________
> Synth-diy mailing list
> Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>