Electrolytic capacitors

[init4fun]

Originally Posted by timmy

In a solid state circuit factory capacitors that are 46 years old test good 100uf tests at 136uf should they be changed or do they rise up in value with age or they could have been higher when new and still are.

Hi Timmy,

Since it's said that electrolytic capacitors can be as much as +50% (from a quick internet search)

"What is the tolerance of electrolytic capacitors?
Electrolytics are often rated at +50 -20% or similar wide tolerances. They are rarely used where an exact value is important."

Your +36 over figure does fall within the acceptable tolerance.

As you likely know, there are two VERY sharply divided schools of thought, one being that ALL old electrolytics aren't to be trusted, and the other being that if the cap is still within tolerance, and isn't showing too much leakage current within itself (as shown by running too hot & loading down the circuit's voltage too much) then it's ok to run.

I personally do replace them just as a matter of not wanting to deal with their possible failure, and the potential for damage to other circuit components if they do fail.