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09-17-2020, 12:56 AM
Hi George A
Manufacturers of electrolytic capacitors state that the service life for any such cap is 14 years maximum, regardless of how the life expectancy calculation might go. Long before that time, DA and DF go crazy and the best range of performance is already lot even though for most applications the cap seems to function as usual. This is with voltage regularly applied. The shelf life of most caps is often only a year or less.
Whether reforming a cap starts the clock at zero again isa question - I would not think it is a complete zero but someone who knows more about the chemistry of the cap could say for certain.
Some builders and hobbyists like how series-connected electros sound; I personally prefer single units to withstand the voltage present.
Remember: The cap can be used to its full voltage rating - it stays healthier longer that way. Derating voltage simply allows the cap to deform to the actual voltage present.
Manufacturers of electrolytic capacitors state that the service life for any such cap is 14 years maximum, regardless of how the life expectancy calculation might go. Long before that time, DA and DF go crazy and the best range of performance is already lot even though for most applications the cap seems to function as usual. This is with voltage regularly applied. The shelf life of most caps is often only a year or less.
Whether reforming a cap starts the clock at zero again isa question - I would not think it is a complete zero but someone who knows more about the chemistry of the cap could say for certain.
Some builders and hobbyists like how series-connected electros sound; I personally prefer single units to withstand the voltage present.
Remember: The cap can be used to its full voltage rating - it stays healthier longer that way. Derating voltage simply allows the cap to deform to the actual voltage present.
