mindless1
Diamond Member
- Aug 11, 2001
- 8,344
- 1,551
- 126
The problem is not always "crappy caps" per se, but that the manufacturer is choosing how the power subcircuit is designed and then relying on the cap manufacturer for these guidlines.
Several things can interact, it is defintely NOT so simple an issue as "bad" or "defective" capacitors. In fact, usually it is not defective caps at all.
The entire subject is far too involved for a basic thread post, but to try to summarize it as briefly as possible:
Any portion of a circuit supplying the power has a certain ripple current. The caps' ESR determines how hot it gets. How hot it gets determines how long it lasts, and caps may degrade beyond performing necessary function in the circuit because of it. BUT if they run really hot, they will burst then dry up.
Keep your caps as cool as reaonably possible. If they feel more than mildly warm while the system is running at full load, expect them to have a short lifespan. If they're small, their physical size also limits the ability of the casing to radiate some heat. Failures in any given system can come from contributary causes.
Several things can interact, it is defintely NOT so simple an issue as "bad" or "defective" capacitors. In fact, usually it is not defective caps at all.
The entire subject is far too involved for a basic thread post, but to try to summarize it as briefly as possible:
Any portion of a circuit supplying the power has a certain ripple current. The caps' ESR determines how hot it gets. How hot it gets determines how long it lasts, and caps may degrade beyond performing necessary function in the circuit because of it. BUT if they run really hot, they will burst then dry up.
Keep your caps as cool as reaonably possible. If they feel more than mildly warm while the system is running at full load, expect them to have a short lifespan. If they're small, their physical size also limits the ability of the casing to radiate some heat. Failures in any given system can come from contributary causes.