Should I worry about Polymer Capacitor higher leakage current

[primetime]

A few electrolytic capacitors on my 300 watt subwoofer has blown. I was thinking of replacing them with polymer capacitors for their higher temperature and ripple current tolerance and low ESR. However, the leakage current is also sixty times higher. For example, I can get a Panasonic FR capacitor which has a 3uA max leakage current rating while a polymer capacitor will have a 200uA leakage current. Should I be concerned? Is the polymer capacitor a viable replacement or should I stick with regular capacitors?

[stj]

Re: Should I worry about Polymer Capacitor higher leakage current

i would be more concerned with the esr being much lower.

[Mint Waxed]

Re: Should I worry about Polymer Capacitor higher leakage current

A few electrolytic capacitors on my 300 watt subwoofer has blown. I was thinking of replacing them with polymer capacitors for their higher temperature and ripple current tolerance and low ESR. However, the leakage current is also sixty times higher. For example, I can get a Panasonic FR capacitor which has a 3uA max leakage current rating while a polymer capacitor will have a 200uA leakage current. Should I be concerned? Is the polymer capacitor a viable replacement or should I stick with regular capacitors?

Wow! That's really a good question. My gut feeling is that the original design called for electrolytic either due to a technical factor or if not that, to cut costs. If it were my sub woofer, I think I would replace all the electrolytics using the same values but boost the temp rating to 105C. Unless you have some special smoke & mirrors design, I would use the Panasonic NHG standard series.