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Registered Member #2628
Joined: Fri Jan 15 2010, 12:23AM
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Posts: 627
I have a bunch of collorfull little disks with 2 leads, some of them are defenitly capacitors (says the rating and capacitance) but others are not so clear, they are different sizes, collors and thickness, and I suspect some of them are MOVs, does anyone here know how to tell the difference?
Registered Member #1225
Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253
Oh, sometimes there are TVS's in they same package and the PTC for a TV or monitors degauss can be in the same package. that does not help, but still :P.
I wish there was a way to figure the difference out, too. Sometimes i see my Ka rated MOVs and think hey, i did not know i have nice big ceramics! Hehe
Registered Member #2628
Joined: Fri Jan 15 2010, 12:23AM
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Posts: 627
well thats the problem, I dont know how to test them, checking for continiuty is useless, capacitors (if arent internally shorted will not have any) and MOVs will not be displaying continuity either, and I dont want to apply voltage to the devices, because lets say I apply 1000V to a disk capacitor, it will be charged, but what if the "disk capacitor" is really a MOV, then I guess I just wrecked overvolted a MOV (mine that I do know have 240-400V ratings and I know for sure they are MOVs), so what I am looking for is a method to test them without damaging them.
Registered Member #2463
Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
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My way would be to get a variable DC powersupply , say 0-1000 volts and connect a resistor in series, say 50 K, 10 watt Then plot the voltage across the MOV on a graph paper as you raised the voltage. Plot it against the current. A MOV recovers after absorbing small amounts energy. It was a voltage dependant resistor the graph would not be a straight line. I you broke one of them in half to see what was between the plates; the ones I've seen are sort of a grainy grey and ceramics are more white
But after you decided it was a MOV, what next ? What could you trust it to do? Perhaps they are tested with cheesecloth for UL approval. look at thse specs
Registered Member #2628
Joined: Fri Jan 15 2010, 12:23AM
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Posts: 627
thanks radiotech, I have some of those part numbers, as for what I will do with them: I will use 2 MOVs in series with the center grounded in a line filter or ill use it connected live 120v to ground as a surge arrestor. its just that I wanted to be sure that it was a MOV so I dont stick a capacitor there in its stead.
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MOV or Disk capacitor?
