Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (
More info?)
In <20040822182614.12238.00004230@mb-m01.aol.com>, on 08/22/04
at 10:26 PM, tubelover@aol.com (TUBELOVER) said:
>in my question I meant is there any difference between bipolar
>electrolytic and nonpolar electrolytic capacitors
>rg
Electrolytics are smaller than the other types for a given value of
capacitance. This becomes significant for larger values typically used
in power supplies and loudspeakers.
Unfortunately, the chemical paste used in the electrolytic's insulator
is polarity sensitive and will break down if voltage is applied in the
wrong direction. This makes electrolytics a poor choice for the the AC
signals processed in speaker crossovers. Fortunately, connecting two
capacitors in series in the (++) or (--) configuration cures the
problem, but requires about twice the volume. There is no fundamental
reason why other types of capacitors can't be used in speaker
crossovers (many feel that speakers sound better when we do), but
electrolytics are smaller and cheaper.
In applications requiring extremely low leakage, excellent high
frequency characteristics, or close capacitance tolerances,
electrolytics are a poor choice. Over time (typically decades for
modern electrolytics) the chemical paste tends to dry out and the
capacitor will slowly decrease in value and fail.
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