[SamL]

I am getting a replacement Class X2 cap for my DVD player (0.1uF, 275V) and since the minimum order is 5, I am thinking of using the extra as snubber cap for my aksa 55. So can I use the class X2 cap as snubber cap? What is a good Class X2 cap? There are Paper, Polypropylene and Polyester base Class x2.

Does it matter if I pick paper base class X2?

TIA,
Sam

[AKSA]

Sam,

X2 simply means rated to 250Vac, self-healing.  The best of them are polypropylene.  The purpose of a snubber cap is to prolong the life of the power switch, which would otherwise arc at switch off due to the inductive kickback from the twin toroids of the power supply.

I include these caps in the 100W kit, but not in the 55W, where the currents switched do not justify this extra component.

Cheers,

Hugh

[jules]

These 'ere snubbers ... I'm working on some speaker boxes at the moment and the tweeters will be ribbons [Raven R2]. These are apparently very sensitive to surges such as on/off. Apart from the chance of instant damage I would imagine repeated slight over-excursion could hasten fatigue [and they can fatigue too].

Eventually I will add a GK-1 [presently sitting in a box] to my system so I'm wondering if snubbers placed stratgically in both the GK-1 and Aksa 55N+ on/off switches would give useful protection. I will be careful to turn things on in the right sequence but I like to make things foolproof just in case say the Aksa cat feels the need to switch on for a bit of Debussey   .

Ribbons can be replaced fairly easily and don't cost much [for anyone who might be wondering].

jules