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Registered Member #3637
Joined: Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:07PM
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1068
Are dented electrolytic capacitors generally unsafe? I got a slightly dented cap, and I was planning on using them for a coil gun...so I'm worried something might go "boom" because of the dent.
And, is there any way of fixing a dent in a capacitor?
Also, what is the surge voltage rating of a capacitor mean?...
Registered Member #2288
Joined: Wed Aug 12 2009, 10:42PM
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 179
I don't think they're considered to be extremely safe, but I have used many dented capacitors (large ones, if it's a tiny little through-hole cap, just throw it out, not worth it) and I have never had a problem. I usually charge it up slowly standing back if it has never been used and is dented, but in general after that I just trust that it'll be fine. An advantage to those big can capacitors versus the larger of "small through hole caps" is that they are very well vented and are extremely unlikely to explode producing hazardous shrapnel. There are several videos of torturing big can-size capacitors, they just sit there for a few minutes then the vent plug pops out and steam pours out quite unspectacularly.
Registered Member #2463
Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546
Any sealed capacitor might have a high internal pressure, so its best to be aware that whats inside, gas or fluid might escape through the weakest point, usually the terminal end. (wear eye protection) "Booms" are caused by too much heat, building up too fast, because the rate of rise of current is too high.
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Dented capacitors, are they ..."unsafe?"
