unusual capacitor case - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: arson
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 02:09:47 am
content: Please help on this capacitor. This cap is installed in a 30 year old amplifier with russian writings.For 2000uf the value using a decent meter is 2600uf, is it a good cap?Also help me on the casing maybe it is still available see attached picture

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 02:57:26 am
content: This is a very typical electrolytic capacitor from x-USSR. I believe the case is not standard outside of USSR.That black rhombus you can see on the case is a good sign - this part at some point was deemed to be good for use in military equipment, so it might still hold its properties.Check that yellow (white originally) rubbery insulator is still rubbery. And if it is, I'd leave this capacitor alone, if you don't have a good reason to suspect it is faulty.

author: arson
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 04:19:30 am
content: Thanks for replying. Its still rubbery and this rubber insulates the pin terminal from the case. Actually 1 of these already leaked its oil but capacitance is below its rating. The one on the picture has high capacitance than its body rating. I think i will just changed all caps.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 04:21:46 am
content: Quote from: arson on January 27, 2016, 04:19:30 amIt would be better if you don't care about preserving its "historical value". You can probably use old casings to hold new caps to keep some of the old appearance.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 06:03:34 am
content: screw-in capacitors. you gotta give it to the russians. they are an inventive bunch ...

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 06:06:51 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on January 27, 2016, 06:03:34 amThey are not really screw-in. They come with a nut from thin stamped sheet metal. As far as I know it is not possible to mount it without the nut (according to the standard).Here is how they look with a nut.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 06:26:36 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on January 27, 2016, 02:57:26 amI can honestly say I've never seen one of those before.Interesting idea.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 06:30:18 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on January 27, 2016, 06:26:36 amThey were great for the electronics at that time. Imagine old stuff with metal chassis. Those caps were super easy to mount on that chassis, all you need to do is drill (or stamp) a hole.And if you wanted a standalone capacitor, then there was a lug in the package along with the nut. So you can screw that lug and you have a normal two-pin capacitor

author: Zarhi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 06:38:31 am
content: Quote from: arson on January 27, 2016, 02:09:47 amThis capacitor is 300V 10uF.

author: arson
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 27, 2016, 01:31:41 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on January 27, 2016, 06:06:51 amyup its the same. i am planning to use axial caps with negative body. maybe make a pcb to mount it in the chassis firmly.i agree with you, russian engineering is very good. thanks man you know many things about this. what you have said is all correct. chassis is ground (0v) but capacitor body is negative. within the nut there is an insulator and the contact through the body is by a ring. tomorrow i will be working on it again

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2016, 04:35:16 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on January 27, 2016, 02:57:26 amThat kind of packaging was used in some 1930s radios from Australia & the UK,& still turned up in some 1950s Western European Broadcast & industrial stuff.It seems that the USSR kept the idea after it died out elsewhere.