Re: Effects of vibration on capacitors

From: Ross Herbert (rherber1_at_bigpond.net.au)
Date: 11/13/04


Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2004 00:24:21 GMT

On 12 Nov 2004 05:25:54 -0800, dave.harper@gmail.com (David Harper)
wrote:

>Does anyone know how severely vibration can affect a capacitor's
>ability to regulate voltage? (i.e. how much the voltage can deviate
>as a function of vibration) What types of caps are better at
>regulating voltage under high vibration?
>
>Thanks in advance!
>Dave

You aren't really serious, - or are you?

Let us assume you are and have a practical reason for knowing...

You are referring to "regulating voltage" and since the main use of
capacitor's in this role will be electrolytic types, then we can make
general observations. Generally speaking, electro's for voltage
smoothing/storage will have fairly large values at the appropriate
voltage rating dependant upon the load requirements, so they are
usually fairly bulky unless you are talking smd.

Any device, whether passive or active has mass and where it is known
that components will be subject to vibration, they must be adequately
secured and prevented from movement and placing any stress on their
mounting (pins, pads, whatever). Since the mounting part is the one
which suffers most during vibration it will eventually fracture unless
adequate precautions are taken when mounting. Other than the physical
aspect of preventing any movement, all passive components will be able
to handle extremely high g forces without any effect on their
operational characteristics.

In your later post in response to Dan Major you say that caps and
resistors are "solid state devices" but this is plainly incorrect. You
talk about about a "few microns displacement" and "charge holders" but
these factors have abolutely nothing to do with passive components of
the size and bulk of electrolytic caps. And due to the magnitude of
the voltages and currents they are handling any sub-micron movement
between the plates - (assuming that movement could in fact occur,
which it doesn't) - would not be noticeable and would therefore have
no effect whatsover on regulating ability.

Are you sure you are not just trolling?



Relevant Pages

  • Re: Effects of vibration on capacitors
    ... (i.e. how much the voltage can deviate ... > as a function of vibration) What types of caps are better at ... Caps and resisters should not be affected by vibration. ... Sooner dot boomer at gbronline dot com ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: Effects of vibration on capacitors
    ... (i.e. how much the voltage can deviate ... > as a function of vibration) What types of caps are better at ... Caps and resisters should not be affected by vibration. ... Sooner dot boomer at gbronline dot com ...
    (sci.electronics.components)
  • Re: Effects of vibration on capacitors
    ... >>Does anyone know how severely vibration can affect a capacitor's ... >>as a function of vibration) What types of caps are better at ... Generally speaking, electro's for voltage ... > mounting. ...
    (sci.electronics.components)
  • Re: Effects of vibration on capacitors
    ... (i.e. how much the voltage can deviate ... > as a function of vibration) What types of caps are better at ... actually capacitors don't *regulate voltage* in the first place. ... The least affected caps are probably plastic film types. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: Effects of vibration on capacitors
    ... (i.e. how much the voltage can deviate ... > as a function of vibration) What types of caps are better at ... actually capacitors don't *regulate voltage* in the first place. ... The least affected caps are probably plastic film types. ...
    (sci.electronics.components)