Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Discussion about the Korg PolySix synthesizer

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Subject: Re: [PolySix] Re: p6 "spark killer"

From: t_tangent2003@yahoo.co.uk
Date: 2019-03-10

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, when my spark killer (suppression cap) blew, and also the two fuses on my Kiwisix Power Supply blew I had some help from a fellow Kiwisix user, and he also mentioned that if the spark killer was just removed and not replaced this could over time cause damage to the switch. This use of the spark killer is also mentioned on page 23-24 of the book "Handbook of Precision Engineering"

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kFNdDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=spark+killer+capacitor&source=bl&ots=Q6jjdmjNlV&sig=ACfU3U2Psc0Wg2DtBXAETKU6GFdR7cJ-Qw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjt6b3WwffgAhWFmLQKHdxxABQ4ChDoATAIegQIABAB#v=onepage&q=spark%20killer%20capacitor&f=false

And there are other threads online which explain this function, for example

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/resistor-cap-across-power-switch-burned.690016/#post-9217422

Perhaps because the Polysix is not constantly being powered on and off, unlike some other goods that use a spark killer, so maybe its not such an issue leaving the spark killer removed from the Polysix? But I would like to find a modern equivalent if it is indeed recommended to replace this component.

But from what I have read, it seems to be suggested to replace with a polypropylene MKP type suppression cap rather than the same metallised paper MP type which the RIFA cap is due to their inherant reliability issues as they age.

So my double barrel question is, do I need to replace this suppression cap and if so what would be a good replacement?

Would this need to be an X2 or Y2 suppression cap? I found a spec list for the original RIFA PME265MC533 which lists it as both Y2 rated to 250Vac & X1 rated to 300Vac. And Iooking at the Polysix Service Manual for the KLM-425 I am a little confused whether the spark killer (suppression cap) is an (X capacitor) Across the Line, or (Y Capacitor) Line to Ground?

Note that according to the following link

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/safety-capacitor-class-x-and-class-y-capacitors/

"A Y2 capacitor can safely be used in place of an X2 capacitor, but an X2 capacitor should not be used in place of a Y2 capacitor."

Anyway, I have listed a couple of different suppression Film caps but would appreciate if someone could confirm these or an alternative part.

https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/505-FKP1O123305H00KS

https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/598-715P33356LD3

Or is there a cap that other users have already replaced the old RIFA with?

Thanks again.

Tim