How to deal with capacitor nail rolls

How do you replace electrolytic capacitors in a circuit board?

Here are some fundamental rules for replacing electrolytic capacitors in circuit boards. Replace with exact type if available. Replace with capacitor that has the same capacitance (uF – microfarad) as the original. Replace with capacitor that has the same voltage rating or higher. Use higher temperature capacitors when possible (105c).

What should I do if a capacitor is not working?

Replace with capacitor that has the same voltage rating or higher. Use higher temperature capacitors when possible (105c). Use capacitors with higher hour-ratings when possible ( > 5000 hours). Physical size matters – Larger capacitors have better heat dissipation capabilities, allowing them to run cooler and prolong their lifespan.

Do you need a hole to fit a capacitor lead?

Modifying the holes to accommodate them can be risky, especially with multi-layer boards. The through-holes are typically plated to ensure connectivity between the top and bottom layers. If you need to drill out a hole to fit thicker capacitor leads, be mindful of this consideration.

Should a capacitor be plated or plated?

However, when using larger capacitors, be cautious about the lead thickness. Modifying the holes to accommodate them can be risky, especially with multi-layer boards. The through-holes are typically plated to ensure connectivity between the top and bottom layers.

Do I need to remove and test a capacitor separately?

For an accurate reading, it may be necessary to remove and test the suspect capacitor separately. Remember, it’s important to use the ESR meter to test all suspect capacitors, regardless of their physical appearance, as capacitors may not always exhibit visible signs of degradation. Below are examples of some common ESR meters.

Why are capacitor leads plated?

The through-holes are typically plated to ensure connectivity between the top and bottom layers. If you need to drill out a hole to fit thicker capacitor leads, be mindful of this consideration. Combining caps can yield desired values as covered in the next section.