Rifa capacitors again

[Nick]

Being fair, RIFA (formally Evox RIFA, now part of Kemet) make very good capacitors - the X&Y ones that have failed were generally from a while ago - their low ESR UPS electrolytics are among the very best out there.

[Pat Pending]

Does anyone remember the capacitors fitted across the switches of the ITT CVC5 CTV's? They used to issue copious amounts of white smoke but  never seemed to blow up? The sets invariably used to carry on working as nothing was wrong.

So genteel better, less violent times

Andy.

[Murphyv310]

The norm in the old days was a 0.1uf @ 1000v DC across the mains. Inevitably they'd go leaky and run warm and go pop. We certainly fitted many Mouldseals, or other such beauties. Some still OK today but many crack and fail.
I do have some up to date Rifa caps and they are just as good as any other.

[ppppenguin]

Does anyone remember the capacitors fitted across the switches of the ITT CVC5 CTV's? They used to issue copious amounts of white smoke .......

So that's what they use in the Vatican

If a cap across a switch or the mains blows up or otherwise self destructs there's a good chance the kit will just carry on working. The smell is another matter.

I wonder if Schaffner used RIFA caps in their mains filters. These have also had a distressing tendency to fail in an unpleasant way. My own experience was in a Tek 2465 scope where the filter got hot enough to melt its solder joints before the bench RCD called time. I didn't bother to do an autopsy.

[Nick]

I wonder if Schaffner used RIFA caps in their mains filters. These have also had a distressing tendency to fail in an unpleasant way. My own experience was in a Tek 2465 scope where the filter got hot enough to melt its solder joints before the bench RCD called time. I didn't bother to do an autopsy.

I had exactly the same failure in both a Tek 2465A and an HP 8904A - both in Schaffner encapsulated IEC inlets.

[ed731pdh]

ed731pdh Wrote: As good as putting talc in the wife's hair dryer and watching from a safe distance?

Wack

Get out and never come back again

You lot are no fun anymore...  

[Murphyv310]

Ah.
That's Ref's sense of humour, a tad odd at times.

[Refugee]

I was thinking of what she would do.
Anyway she would have to start getting ready all over again so improving the chances of another evening in doing something more interesting.

[Murphyv310]

Ha Ha.
Good one Ref. 

[Refugee]

The getting ready reset should take about the same amount of time as cleaning up the mess from a RIFA.
It is a good fit.