FAQ- frequently asked questions

The supplied set does not contain an electrolytic capacitor with the voltage specification required for my device (printed on the electrolytic capacitor).

For various reasons it is not a problem to use electrolytic capacitors with a higher voltage specification, on the contrary it is even good to go at least one step higher. It is extremely important that this value must never be less than that of the original electrolytic capacitor.

What do the numbers printed on the electrolytic capacitors mean?

Some information is printed on electrolytic capacitors, from the date code of manufacture to the order number from the manufacturer.
Two pieces of information are very important when replacing an elcap: the capacity in microfarads (µF) and the value of the maximum electrical voltage in volts.
For example, if the electrolytic cap says 47/35, this is equivalent to 47µF, maximum voltage 35V.
The voltage of a new electrolytic capacitor to be exchanged should be at least the same, but it can also be higher for various reasons.

My set included a bag labeled "bipolar" and/or "non polar" that contained a few electrolytic capacitors.

The electrolytic capacitors packed separately in this bag have no plus or minus pole and can be soldered in as you wish without paying attention to polarity.
The caps to be replaced with them can be recognized by the same imprint, non-polar, NP, bipolar, or by the fact that there is no minus marking in the form of a strip printed on the side.

My set includes small (usually orange) teardrop-shaped components.

These are tantalum electrolytic capacitors. Since these are solid electrolytic capacitors, it is not the minus pole that is marked here, but the plus pole. Even if there is a line as a mark near one of the legs, this is a marking of the side with the plus pole.
Please note that if a tantalum electrolytic capacitor has to be replaced with a normal electrolytic capacitor in a set, the marking of which works the other way around.