[*Scotty*]

Does current flow though a transformer? There is no actual
physical connection between the primary winding and the secondary winding, They only share a common steel core.
Scotty

[Folsom]

Current induces current flow, but no there isn't across it.* Correction, charge current flow induces displacement current, which causes charge current flow across a transformer.

*A 50w resistor will work for any load of capacitance I've tested. You can calculate the size you want.

[wakibaki]

AC flows in the circuit a capacitor is in, as it builds a charge or releases it, but nothing goes through it.

You mean like, because electrons don't pass from a transmitting antenna to a receiving antenna, nothing passes from a transmitting antenna to a receiving antenna? Riiight...  of course, that's why radios don't work.

w

[Folsom]

You mean like, because electrons don't pass from a transmitting antenna to a receiving antenna, nothing passes from a transmitting antenna to a receiving antenna? Riiight...  of course, that's why radios don't work.

w

Right, excuse me, no current. I'll edit that.

[wakibaki]

Right, excuse me, no current. I'll edit that.

Good plan, erase your mistakes, that means they never happened.

[wakibaki]

Take a look at Maxwell's equations, specifically with respect to displacement current. You'll find that you're wrong, again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_current

[Folsom]

So we can get very specific and say displacement current does cross (electric field), but charge current doesn't (electric charge). Well I guess it is more complicated since now we must for this sake define that capacitors and transformers do and do not pass current. 

Well I enjoyed that link. But I still don't understand your petty grudge attitude towards sharing knowledge. Nor am I understanding why you didn't share that to begin with to help gain clarity on defining what types of current does pass. I hope I don't come off as trying to be rude, but from my end you certainly have been more than uncordial to everyone who has contributed to this topic. I really can't see the point in trying to pick sides or manipulate the conversation to prove a grudge against those of us using AC capacitance.

It appears you certainly know enough to add constructive information to the topic; as opposed to telling everyone they are baby killers and trying to prod faults out of them (me in this case).

[Speedskater]

"D of S" you have been involved (posting) in the Felix filter project for some 7 years now.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=25757.0

You are as confused now about how electricity works as you were way back then when you were a collage student.

[Folsom]

Confused about what?

Aside from displacement current (electrical field) nothing I didn't know has been presented in this topic. There isn't anything I did not understand besides your assertion on being confused and wakibaki's abrasive approach.

[*Scotty*]

I guess I take a simpler view of potentially lethal voltages. The current that didn't flow through the power transformer on the utility pole can still kill me if I allow it to flow through my body. Likewise a sufficiently large enough value capacitor with line voltage applied to it can also kill me if I come in contact with it. The critical variable is the value of the capacitor.
Scotty

[Folsom]

I guess I take a simpler view of potentially lethal voltages. The current that didn't flow through the power transformer on the utility pole can still kill me if I allow it to flow through my body. Likewise a sufficiently large enough value capacitor with line voltage applied to it can also kill me if I come in contact with it. The critical variable is the value of the capacitor.
Scotty

There is a bridge where I live, over a river. Near the pillars the hold it up it up the river is rather deep. Posted at the entrance to the pedestrian bridge (actually underneath a vehicle bridge) is a sign that tells that there is a $200 fine for jumping off the bridge. The $200 fine is given the title "ticket for attempted suicide" if you are given one. No one jumps on either side of the pillar where death certainly could occur. Some people even jump from the 15ft higher spot on the vehicle bridge. Yet they give a ticket that claims attempted suicide. It has been argued to this ticket, "I don't agree, I wasn't attempting suicide, I was attempting to live."

Lucky for us humans we are beyond binary threat level assertions. We are capable of quartering ourselves near potentials that are not pleasant, yet to reap the benefits from the proximity. Yet we recognize it so we try and provide safety for something we are going to do anyway. Just to say, even if I couldn't discharge capacitors, I'd still be using them because otherwise I wouldn't be listening to music. I would have long given up, years ago, on having a stereo. But as is now I find it meditative.

[wakibaki]

Suicide? Feel free.

What I'm trying to prevent is murder.

w

[Folsom]

Suicide? Feel free.

What I'm trying to prevent is murder.

w

  

No you are not, either. If you know someone is going to do something, and your answer is abstinence, you are just trying to have people agree with you.

[iluzun]

While moving caps in & out of my unplugged conditioner I noticed a small spark when a lead must of touched
something.  I sub sequentially asked the maker of my custom preamp, a repair specialist in business since
the 70's, about any danger & was told there was none.  You may get a small spark off of the cap, but that is it.
I didn't have to be concerned.  He is the individual who I had put all of the various capacitors I've accumulated
over the years into my equipment. 

[Folsom]

While moving caps in & out of my unplugged conditioner I noticed a small spark when a lead must of touched
something.  I sub sequentially asked the maker of my custom preamp, a repair specialist in business since
the 70's, about any danger & was told there was none.  You may get a small spark off of the cap, but that is it.
I didn't have to be concerned.  He is the individual who I had put all of the various capacitors I've accumulated
over the years into my equipment.

Ask him again, but tell him it is 50uf. With a .1 or 1uf it is of no concern. Amperes kill, but voltage high enough to cross the body is required. 120v has no problem doing just that. He probably assumes there is a small amount of capacitance, as is the case the majority of the time.

[wakibaki]

Q. Capacitors in power conditioners. Are there a difference?

A. If you have to ask, you shouldn't be messing about with them.

There is no doubt that a discharging capacitor can kill. It's just a question of the size of capacitor, the charging voltage and the exact conditions. A mishandled defibrillator can kill. Defibrillators are based around charged capacitors.

At the moment the highest bid is 6uF and 340V if you live in the UK. About 1/500 the energy of a defib shot. It probably won't kill you, but I wouldn't like to guarantee it. The real question is though, what's the highest bid going to be tomorrow, given that these mods are being done by people who don't know the difference between one cap and another?

w

[Tubeburner]

Q. Capacitors in power conditioners. Are there a difference?

A. If you have to ask, you shouldn't be messing about with them.

I plan to install 1.0uF 400v 0r 600v capacitors across the receptacles of my power conditioner. Is there a big difference in capacitors, say a Auricap compared to a Solen for noise absorption?  The Auricap is $22.00 and the Soln $3.00. Any advice is appreciated!

Maybe you should read the beginning of the thread before you assume I don't know what I am doing. I asked the difference in Brands for noise absorption and sound.

Lots of great comments and experience here.

[Napalm]

Maybe you should read the beginning of the thread before you assume I don't know what I am doing. I asked the difference in Brands for noise absorption and sound.

We all read the beginning of the thread where the correct answer was promptly given (use an UL listed X2 type capacitor). Since you ignored those answers we now assume you don't know what you're doing. And if we're talking microfarads then I would also suggest some further reading here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleeder_resistor.

The complete answer is "use a properly sized UL listed X2 capacitor with a properly sized bleeder resistor and a properly dimensioned fuse". Assuming you did the correct calculations, you would still need to submit the resulting circuit to UL for certification (unless you want to see denied insurance claims and / or charges for criminal action).

[Folsom]

you would still need to submit the resulting circuit to UL for certification (unless you want to see denied insurance claims and / or charges for criminal action).

For commercial products; its a standard, but not a federal agency. Being certified is good, but not required; except some local jurisdictions require it for particular things. He can do whatever he wants with his own stuff, baring it doesn't cause some level of interference the FCC or likes notices. But I'd ask him to please be safe; reading up on UL standards would be a good.

If you find you can't use a bleeder resistor at a low enough resistance rating, or proper wattage, please take advantage of my discharge circuit with a relay (I'll e-mail it to you, if you need help).

[Napalm]

He can do whatever he wants with his own stuff, [...]

Not really, unless perhaps he lives alone in a detached building.

Otherwise one of these "experiments" gone wrong can and will be investigated from all angles, from criminal negligence to first degree murder and/or arson.