Electrolytic Capacitor Failure

by Jerrold Foutz, SMPS Technology, Jun 09 2001

Focus:
Computer power supply failures that occur three years after purchase may be triggered by failures of their electrolytic capacitors, which tend to lose their electrolyte through evaporation. That leads to increased ESR, self heating, and capacitor destruction, which then leads to other failures within the power supply. Loss of voltage margin in the application is another cause of capacitor failure. Foutz briefly explains these failure mechanisms and how some equipment manufacturers address these problems through capacitor specification, maintenance, or replacement. Foutz then discusses how the capacitor issues factor into computer warranties and gives some advice on computer and warranty selection.

What you’ll learn:

• How to understand the common failure mechanisms of electrolytic capacitors used in computer power supplies and other applications
• How to understand the common approaches to addressing electrolyic capacitor failures

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