Ok first I fully understand that identical parts in a series will divide and share the load so long as we are talking about stead state operation no inrush currents or anything like that. So that is the given that I am working from right or wrong.
So my question if you have to wire two cap's in series to come up with the needed values how does load sharing work if they are not identical. Second do they need balancing resistors?
So I need to replace a 500V cap in main power supply area of a tube linear. I have 450V caps and 50V caps. I also have on hand some 1 watt 10ohm carbon resistors. So the two caps I am using to replace the old Cornell Dublier 500V 10uf paper caps will be in series to make 500V total 450-50=500. I will install these in both lines coming off the HV transformer feeds that go directly to the rectifier board.
As usual I have read two different takes on what to do from two different online home brew amateurs both well respected authors for ARRL related material over the years. One guys thinks balancing resistors are needed another say no they are a waste of time and are old school bad technology. I can see them as being a waste if the components are identical and in series but with differing values for the caps I am using I have to think it makes a difference. If it matters I plan on putting the larger 450V cap first or closest to the transformer then the smaller 50V cap down stream of that.
Thanks for the input!
So my question if you have to wire two cap's in series to come up with the needed values how does load sharing work if they are not identical. Second do they need balancing resistors?
So I need to replace a 500V cap in main power supply area of a tube linear. I have 450V caps and 50V caps. I also have on hand some 1 watt 10ohm carbon resistors. So the two caps I am using to replace the old Cornell Dublier 500V 10uf paper caps will be in series to make 500V total 450-50=500. I will install these in both lines coming off the HV transformer feeds that go directly to the rectifier board.
As usual I have read two different takes on what to do from two different online home brew amateurs both well respected authors for ARRL related material over the years. One guys thinks balancing resistors are needed another say no they are a waste of time and are old school bad technology. I can see them as being a waste if the components are identical and in series but with differing values for the caps I am using I have to think it makes a difference. If it matters I plan on putting the larger 450V cap first or closest to the transformer then the smaller 50V cap down stream of that.
Thanks for the input!