RE: Experimenting with Polymer Capacitors - Basic Regulator

shabaz — Wed, 15 May 2019 00:50:11 GMT

Hi Scott!

This is really great that you're documenting your experiences with the polymer caps with voltage regulators. I've not had the chance to try any polymer caps yet.

I have the same issue with probe tweezers (I have some cheap variety), really easy to lose the part! : (

Are the rectangular polymer caps marked like the round caps, or like rectangular tantalum caps?

It's annoying that usual rectangular tantalums use the band to indicate positive, whereas on any cylinder cap (SMD or otherwise) the band or marking is nearly always negative. I don't know if the polymer rectangulars are sticking with the tantalum convention or not, but that could be something to check just-in-case.

It is confusing enough, that when creating PCBs, I'll put a deliberate '+' on the silkscreen, as well as the band marking (i.e. I use the marking below, for tantalum (rectangular), and alu electrolytic (cylinder).

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RE: Experimenting with Polymer Capacitors - Basic Regulator

14rhb — Tue, 14 May 2019 19:05:37 GMT

Nice work. Those probes do look useful - I didn't know they made those as well.

Rod