[rajacat]

Is it safe and effective to use a power strip for cap burn-in as long as the cap voltage limit is > 120AC?

-Roy

[JoshK]

I would think no.  Especially unattended.

[whubbard]

while on the subject, I must ask. How is it possible for a cap to need 'burn-in.' How does this actually change the cap, or do you just get used to it after 100 hours or whatever?

-West

[BradJudy]

Unless a cap is X or Y rated, it will fail in an unknown way.  Maybe open, maybe closed, maybe in a fireball.  I wouldn't recommend using main power as a break-in method.

[rajacat]

Awhile ago I read somewhere, I think on Audio Asylum- tube DIY or Vintage, that some were breaking in caps this way. It would sure be nice to find a quick breakin without special equipment. I think I'll stay with the long slow way. Thanks for the replies.

-Roy

[JoshK]

while on the subject, I must ask. How is it possible for a cap to need 'burn-in.' How does this actually change the cap, or do you just get used to it after 100 hours or whatever?

-West

Let's not go there, its been done to death and never goes anywhere anyway. 

[srayle]

I use this disc from Isotek and I think it works as stated...geez, I dunno...

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/isotek/cd.html

Anybody else use it?

[Folsom]

Unless a cap is X or Y rated, it will fail in an unknown way.  Maybe open, maybe closed, maybe in a fireball.  I wouldn't recommend using main power as a break-in method.

That is a lie.

The fact that it is only rated for 120v is bad because voltage from the wall fluctuates, so I would not recommend it.

[BradJudy]

Unless a cap is X or Y rated, it will fail in an unknown way.  Maybe open, maybe closed, maybe in a fireball.  I wouldn't recommend using main power as a break-in method.

That is a lie.

It's certainly not a lie.  It's possible I misunderstand the capacitor ratings, but please don't imply that I am intentionally misleading people. 

My understanding is that no capacitors are guaranteed to fail in a particular way on main power except for the X or Y rated ones.  Is this incorrect?

[carusoracer]

I use this disc from Isotek and I think it works as stated...geez, I dunno...

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/isotek/cd.html

Anybody else use it?

I just got mine in the mail and I'm trying it out as we speak. There are some really wild sounds that are on that disc

[JoshK]

Unless a cap is X or Y rated, it will fail in an unknown way.  Maybe open, maybe closed, maybe in a fireball.  I wouldn't recommend using main power as a break-in method.

That is a lie.

The fact that it is only rated for 120v is bad because voltage from the wall fluctuates, so I would not recommend it.

So are you underwriting folk's insurance when their house burns down and their insurance won't cover the damages because there were caps across the line that weren't X or Y rated?  Remember it doesn't have to be the fault of the caps for the insurance company to not honor the claim, it just has to be there.  Unless the answer is yes, you are willing, then please don't proliferate bad information in the lab. 

[rajacat]

Unless a cap is X or Y rated, it will fail in an unknown way.  Maybe open, maybe closed, maybe in a fireball.  I wouldn't recommend using main power as a break-in method.

That is a lie.

The fact that it is only rated for 120v is bad because voltage from the wall fluctuates, so I would not recommend it.

DOS... Perhaps you should learn how to moderate your language.

 I would think that if a cap were rated for 120V that there would also be a substantial safety factor accounted for so that actually the cap could handle more than 120V before failure. Nevertheless, you're right that a cap with a substantially greater than 120V should be used in an actual application. I was thinking in theory that the 120V cap could be burned in this way.

-Roy

-Roy

[Folsom]

He has it worded so that they will fail. They may never fail, but if they do they are not rated to do so safely. You can not say something will fail when you do not know it will.

[rajacat]

He has it worded so that they will fail. They may never fail, but if they do they are not rated to do so safely. You can not say something will fail when you do not know it will.

I have a problem when you accuse him of lying. Your words could have been better chosen.

-Roy

[BobM]

He has it worded so that they will fail. They may never fail, but if they do they are not rated to do so safely. You can not say something will fail when you do not know it will.

It's been said before ... your moniker is well chosen.

Can you talk to the spirit of the statement/clarification rather than pointing fingers at someone who is trying to clarify a misconception that you introduced? It's incomplete or unexplained bad information like yours that someone else will pick up out of context and make a bad mistake that could cost them their homes and savings.

Bob

[BradJudy]

As others have picked up, it was not my intention to say that these unknown capacitors would definitely fail, just that if they did, the results are unknown and could be unsafe. 

[Gordy]

You are absolutely correct Brad, all capacitors die eventually, it's only a matter of time, temperature and usage.  To presume otherwise is totally irresponsible. 

If you want to bet that you have the perfectly built cap, here's a neat link for calculating life span...  http://www.illinoiscapacitor.com/techcenter/lifecalculators.asp

[Folsom]

As others have picked up, it was not my intention to say that these unknown capacitors would definitely fail, just that if they did, the results are unknown and could be unsafe. 

I just did not want anyone thinking capacitors fail just because they are not Y or X rated is all. The realistic concern is that the voltage rating is not good enough.

[JoshK]

I just did not want anyone thinking capacitors fail just because they are not Y or X rated is all. The realistic concern is that the voltage rating is not good enough.

I happen to agree with Gordy, that caps fail eventually so its best to choose a cap with a rating meant for the job at hand.  Before this thread derails totally in an unwanted direction, lets just agree to that shall we? 

I agree that you have a good point DOS that caps should be chosen for greater than the operating RMS voltage to ensure their life span and reliability.  I am not knocking that, only that non rated caps should be used across the line.  If you do that, you are on your own, and should be aware of such risks. Let's leave it at that.

You and I are both young enough to not have significant experience to trump those with more experience on this forum, so we should try to learn from them and not argue with them.  (I have no idea how old BradJudy or some of the others are, just stating what I do know.)

[JoshK]

As others have picked up, it was not my intention to say that these unknown capacitors would definitely fail, just that if they did, the results are unknown and could be unsafe. 

I understood your intention, but see how it could be misinterpreted.