Manufacturer Cap types interchangable. Possible Supplier?

[JonMC]

Hello,

I have recently been assigned the task of sourcing caps for recapping motherboards. While investigating some faulty motherboards a few manufacturers names have come up, namely Rubycon, Nichicon and Panasonic. I have various models of motherboards for repair, and each motherboard varies a little at times in which manufacturer it seems to use. I understand they are all of the Low ESR type, is there a reason why one motherboard would have a Rubycon rather than a Panasonic of exactly the same value for instance?

Can I simply use any brand as long as it is of the Low ESR type? This would make sourcing the various caps I need easier.

Also, do you all know of a good source I could aquire these caps, I have spent sometime on google and it is proving to be a large task. I have found a lot of them but from a large selection of sources, with varying prices and varying small quantities which doesn't really suit for my needs. I would need a steady supply each month of these caps so ideally one source would be good with a reduced price for larger quantities. I cannot say for certain how many, but I will be repairing around 400 units a month so quite a reliable source would be needed.

Many thanks for any assitance you may have to offer me on this matter.

[digge]

Re: Manufacturer Cap types interchangable. Possible Supplier?

Why the manufacturers pick a certain brand and model depends on lots of stuff. Of course the spec of the cap have some influence but price and availability among other parameters are involved as well.

Generally speaking as long as you follow the ESR, ripple, volts and uF somewhat close you can pick just about any brand. Depends on what job the cap has in the circuit if you can go for better ESR or more uF and so on. My personal rule of thumb is "when in doubt, go as close as original you can but with a known good brand".

Also generally you can always go up in voltage without problems if that's what you have around. Never go down in voltage unless you are 100% sure that they "overdid" it with a higher voltage cap.

Beware however the size of the replacements when ordering, or you might not be able to fit them on the board you are working on.

Out of time now, i end work now so time to go home, someone else might fill in more blanks

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Manufacturer Cap types interchangable. Possible Supplier?

There is not just different brands.
Each brand has different series which will have different ESR and Ripple ratings.

ESR needs to be the same or less. [Ohms at 100kHz and 20°C]
Ripple needs to be the same or more. [mA at 100kHz.]
UF should ideally be the same. [If you MUST change due to availability then go up 20%.]
The voltage rating is a limit so more is okay, but no benefit to it.

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...1&postcount=17

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[JonMC]

Re: Manufacturer Cap types interchangable. Possible Supplier?

Thanks for the information, I will need to look closer at the ESR and Ripple values but things are a little clearer now, much appreciated.