Capacitor

[chili]

Just call me dumb please. I am building a 10 channel light chasing or sequencing board. It calls for a 2.2uf electrolytic capacitor. There is a plus and minus on the diagram so I would assume it would take a polarized capacitor. How ever at radio shack (I do not have time to order) they had a 2.2uf capacitor (electrolytic but it is not pollarized. I do not think this will work. Straighten me out here. Thanks

[xmus]

Just call me dumb please. I am building a 10 channel light chasing or sequencing board. It calls for a 2.2uf electrolytic capacitor. There is a plus and minus on the diagram so I would assume it would take a polarized capacitor. How ever at radio shack (I do not have time to order) they had a 2.2uf capacitor (electrolytic but it is not pollarized. I do not think this will work. Straighten me out here. Thanks

what is the capacitor used for? decoupling? Where does it go? Can you share the design or a photo of the board? My guess is you'd be fine without a polarized cap, but i can't be sure...

[NogginBoink]

An "electrolytic" capacitor, by definition, is polarized.

I agree with xmus: just grab any ol' 2.2uF cap from the bench and solder it in there and you'll likely be fine.

[ErnieHorning]

There are non-polarized electrolytic caps. They are similar to putting two polarized caps in series, facing opposite directions. You can use a true non-polarized cap in a DC application, but you can’t use a homemade one in the same way.


Non-polarized caps are typically used in audio or AC motor applications.

[wjohn]

Just call me dumb please. I am building a 10 channel light chasing or sequencing board. It calls for a 2.2uf electrolytic capacitor. There is a plus and minus on the diagram so I would assume it would take a polarized capacitor. How ever at radio shack (I do not have time to order) they had a 2.2uf capacitor (electrolytic but it is not pollarized. I do not think this will work. Straighten me out here. Thanks

Chili, I'll bet it is polarised. Just grab a 2.2uF cap, and just check the rated voltage is OK for the design (e.g. 16 V , 25V, 35V)

John.

[chili]

Well it is used for a 555 timing circuit. The package says it is50 volts max. Non-polarized for speaker crossover. 8kHzat 8 ohms, Axial leads.

[wjohn]

do you have any other 2.2uF polarised caps you could use? That Cap is a non-polarised Cap, and while it may work, another polarised Cap would be better.

[chili]

No I do not but I am thinking of using another value cap. I have a 5.5 I think uf. I may try it

[sandy]

The 2.2 non-polar is still a 2.2 uf cap.
You can use it where ever 2.2uf is called for,
just be sure the voltage rating is higher than the working voltage.
The non-polar will be bigger that the polarized version,
just due to the need of making it non-polar,
The electrolytic's are polarized as it makes them smaller, and less expensive.

[chili]

Thanks everyone for your help. :D