physical capacitor size question

fleabee · #1 02-13-2010, 12:59 PM

I've seen tone caps ranging from the size of a fingernail to the size of a cherry bombs. I currently had 2 .047's-1 is tiny and one huge. Why the dramatic difference in physical size?

**line6man** · #2 02-13-2010, 01:05 PM

The difference in size is likely because you are using different types and/or voltage ratings.

Ceramic capacitors are usually small, paper-in-oil caoacitors are usually huge. Metalized film capacitors can be anywhere in between.

fleabee · #3 02-13-2010, 01:05 PM

Any pros/cons to higher or lower voltage?

**line6man** · #4 02-13-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleabee

Any pros/cons to higher or lower voltage?

Well, some people prefer higher voltage capacitors as a safety precaution incase their amplifier should malfunction and put a high voltage to the input signal, but otherwise, it really doesn't matter.

fleabee · #5 02-13-2010, 01:16 PM

Gotcha, thanks for the prompt response.

ehque · #6 02-13-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleabee

Any pros/cons to higher or lower voltage?

Not while installed as a tone cap. The voltage rating is like a current rating on a fuse. It determines when the component fails.

The voltages experienced by capacitors in a passive tone circuit are not enough to cause failure in most readily available capacitors (on the order of 2-3V only)

**line6man** · #7 02-13-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

(on the order of 2-3V only)

Wow, it's much lower than that.

IIRC, the peak amplitude of a +4dBu line level signal is something like 1.5 or 1.7V
Instrument level is much lower than line level...

Jefenator · #8 02-13-2010, 06:03 PM

Heh, the 600 volt Orange Drop caps from Allparts are freakin' enormous - as wide around as a AA battery! As hot as I like to think my playing can be, I don't think I'll ever need *that* much voltage capacity.

I have no idea why they sell them at that size for guitar wiring. Oh, well - it fits (barely). From now on, though, I'm going for the smaller 200 volt size (which is still probably massive overkill).

fleabee · #9 02-13-2010, 07:13 PM

you should see the 800v..holy Sh$T its almost doesn't fit in the cavity

ehque · #10 02-13-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

Wow, it's much lower than that.

IIRC, the peak amplitude of a +4dBu line level signal is something like 1.5 or 1.7V
Instrument level is much lower than line level...

Oh right yeah i confused instrument level with line level.

Anyway its a very low voltage, which is the point i was trying to make

Jim C · #11 02-13-2010, 09:04 PM

And yet I've read that 100 volts should be considered a minimum voltage rating and I could never understand why