19-07-2020, 05:20 PM
It's worth asking whether the Y cap is actually needed in vintage sets. If it really isn't having any effect then leave it out.
I fully realise that the old capacitors used in safety critical positions were often not very good. For example aerial isolator caps in live chassis TVs can fail with unpleasant results.
Many of us here at GVR are well aware of the risks of various options. When we are working on our own equipment we are free to do as we choose. When fixing kit for others looking, at the odds and thinking about slim chances is a risky approach. So you fit Y caps where needed, whatever you may think of the risks. As soon as you modify a piece of equipment then strictly speaking you need to do full safety tests as if it was a new design; it may not be possible for some vintage kit to be made safe to modern standards. If a B16T originally had a 2 core mains lead and you're fitting three core then you're changing it from Class 01 (no earth, but not meeting double insulated Class2 spec) to Class 1 (earthed). This is a good thing as Class 01 kit cannot be legally sold in the UK. But if something goes wrong then you're in the firing line.
At the extreme end of being risk averse you wouldn't do it at all and this kit would sit idle and unwanted. Not a good outcome.
I fully realise that the old capacitors used in safety critical positions were often not very good. For example aerial isolator caps in live chassis TVs can fail with unpleasant results.
Many of us here at GVR are well aware of the risks of various options. When we are working on our own equipment we are free to do as we choose. When fixing kit for others looking, at the odds and thinking about slim chances is a risky approach. So you fit Y caps where needed, whatever you may think of the risks. As soon as you modify a piece of equipment then strictly speaking you need to do full safety tests as if it was a new design; it may not be possible for some vintage kit to be made safe to modern standards. If a B16T originally had a 2 core mains lead and you're fitting three core then you're changing it from Class 01 (no earth, but not meeting double insulated Class2 spec) to Class 1 (earthed). This is a good thing as Class 01 kit cannot be legally sold in the UK. But if something goes wrong then you're in the firing line.
At the extreme end of being risk averse you wouldn't do it at all and this kit would sit idle and unwanted. Not a good outcome.
www.borinsky.co.uk Jeffrey Borinsky www.becg.tv
