How long can cap leads be?

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  • larrymoencurly
    Badcaps Veteran
    • Oct 2004
    • 960
    • USA

    #1

    How long can cap leads be?

    I have a PSU where some of the output filter caps are a tight fit, and it would help the crowding a lot if I could install a couple of the new caps about 1" above the board. Would this make the leads too long? I can solder 16 gauge wire to each lead to reduce the inductance, if it will help. Of course, each lead will be covered with heatshrink to prevent shorts.
  • kc8adu
    Super Moderator
    • Nov 2003
    • 8829
    • U.S.A!

    #2
    Re: How long can cap leads be?

    i have done 1/2 in when 12.5 mm caps wouldnt clear stuff on the board.some psu use 10 or 8 mm caps.no harm done.

    Comment

    • linuxguru
      Badcaps Legend
      • Apr 2005
      • 1564

      #3
      Re: How long can cap leads be?

      The switching frequency is only ~100 KHz, and there's already inductance (either stray or part of the circuit) in series at most locations on the secondary side where large caps are usually found. A few pH/nH additional in series won't make a difference.

      Exception(s) to this are the small bypass caps next to the switching controller IC or on the output side of 78xx/79xx 3-terminal regulator(s) - these have to have very short leads to avoid instability/oscillations due to high loop-gain linear circuits.

      Comment

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