"Tag" tantalum - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: dropkick
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2022, 06:01:01 am
content: Dave has used the term "tag tant" in several videos. What is the meaning of "tag"? Shape? Composition? Brand? Some other historic abbreviation? Google-fu failed me.The last time I heard (read) this over just simply 'tantalum' was an old Rat Shack beginner's electronics book from my childhood. So I still think of them as tag tants too, but why? Just curious

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2022, 10:37:25 am
content: I always thought it was tantalum caps that look like a 'skin tab' sitting on the PCB, but I suspect that's not the official meaning. But who knows...

author: dropkick
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2022, 01:53:57 am
content: That's all I could come up with too... But Dave did say it about a square shaped one as well, so that blew that theory

author: connectTek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2022, 07:35:13 am
content: There is TJP, TAP and TEP series tantalum capacitors made by AVX.I have not found a TAG series as of yet, but I assume it is series name.The P in TJP, TAP, TEP is for professional use according to data sheetThe "G" in TAG may mean general use.Just an assumption though.

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2022, 10:12:07 am
content: I think its a daveism.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2022, 11:31:43 am
content: Quote from: Terry Bites on November 22, 2022, 10:12:07 amNa, i'd heard the term before EEVBlog existed.

author: mag_therm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2022, 01:24:43 pm
content: Was it a term used only in Australia / NZ area?Note the flags of those on this thread who knew it.I remember it being used there from late 1970's on, as a name for only the yellow/orange 0.1 pitch tear drops.Search "tag tantalum capacitor" "tag capacitor" and "tag tantalum" did not show hits associating "tag" with capacitors or tantalum.May have come from part number prefix of a vendor there as connectTEK says, or just because it looked like a "skin tag" as Psi mentions.Maybe Dave had picked it up from working with some old timers in Australia.

author: connectTek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2022, 05:43:39 am
content: In the 70s and 80s ETI and EA ( Australian Electronic Magazines) mostley used the term Tag tantalum.I know , because Im of that vintage.

author: gbaddeley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2022, 07:13:43 am
content: Quote from: connectTek on November 24, 2022, 05:43:39 amI was thinking that too. I started buying EA in 1973, and now have the full set! I might browse through a few projects from that vintage.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2022, 07:54:17 am
content: Quote from: gbaddeley on November 24, 2022, 07:13:43 amI tried the same thing. The first one I looked in was March 1983 at a DSE ad on page 13. They has Tag Tantalums described as "resin dipped electrolytic".I poked around with a text search of about 10 editions and no project parts list or article mentioned "Tag". But I definitely have heard of the expression being used (in print).Maybe it refers to the capacitor on the production line prior to dipping.

author: gbaddeley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2022, 11:34:45 am
content: Found a reference in EA Yearbook 1975/76, page 45. Solid Tantalum colour coding (table of codes) Reproduced from the ITT components data sheet for TAG capacitors, courtesy Standard Telephone & Cables Ltd