What is an X2 capacitor's minimum safe voltage clearance for AC line filtering?

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Christopher Witmer

What is an X2 capacitor's minimum safe voltage clearance (either as a "headroom" percentage or as volts relative to 120VAC) for AC line filtering? Let's say we are talking about a 120VAC line. Can a 150VAC X2 cap be safely used for filtering on a 120VAC line? (That's 25% voltage "headroom.")

Thanks!

-- Chris

P.S. By the way, FWIW, if I did use that particular cap, I would also use additional bypass caps, and the bypass caps would all be of higher voltages.

tomat

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What is an X2 capacitor's minimum safe voltage clearance (either as a "headroom" percentage or as volts relative to 120VAC) for AC line filtering? Let's say we are talking about a 120VAC line. Can a 150VAC X2 cap be safely used for filtering on a 120VAC line? (That's 25% voltage "headroom.")

Thanks!

-- Chris

P.S. By the way, FWIW, if I did use that particular cap, I would also use additional bypass caps, and the bypass caps would all be of higher voltages.



i think the higher voltage is the saver ,such 200Vac ,althouh that will more expensive

thanks

awe-d-o-file

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X2 caps don't have a voltage rating per say. Most are rated @275VAC. In other words you don't have a voltage choice like with most other caps. X1,2,3 or Y1,2,3,4 determines the rating and peak handle. They are also called safety caps and can handle a pretty big short term surge. See below

EMI suppression capacitors are used to suppress any noise from an electronic device by reducing the input
impedance of the device.
These capacitors are divided into 2 classifications, X and Y. X class capacitors are capacitors that are
connected line to line and in the event of failure of the capacitor the potential for electrical shock is not
present. X capacitors are further subdivided into three subcategories X1, X2 and X3. X1 capacitors are used
where the peak voltage the capacitors will be greater than 2500 volts and less than 4000V. Class X2
capacitors are in applications where the peak voltage is equal to below 2500 volts. X3 capacitors are used
where the peak voltage is less than or equal to 1200 volts. X2 capacitors are the most common.
Y capacitors on the other hand are connected from line to ground. They are typically a very low capacitance
value. In the event a Y capacitor fails the potential for electrical shock is present. Y capacitors are also
subdivided into four subcategories, Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4. Y1 capacitors are used with voltages up 500Vac, Y2
are used with voltages up to 300Vac,Y3 are used with voltages up to 250Vac and Y4 capacitors are used up
to 150Vac.
X class capacitors are rated up to 660Vac and Y capacitors are manufactured with voltage ratings up to
440Vac.
X class capacitors are manufactured with a variety of dielectric materials. This includes polyester,
polypropylene, ceramic and paper while Y capacitors are typically produced out of ceramic and paper
dielectrics. With the exception of ceramics the capacitors are produced using metallized materials and may
be impregnated with epoxy or mineral oils.

JoshK

I didn't answer before as I don't have any definitive information on the subject.  One can google search and look up what the different ratings mean and the specs that they are rated on.   With that said, my understanding is similar to what awe-de-o-file said.

zacster

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