Polarized or Non-polarized, that is the question

[Ocean cruiser]

Hey gang, im replacing the caps in a PC244 and came across some Polarized 2.2uf 25v caps. I can’t seem to find any on Digi-Key or Mouser. But I do have some Non-polarized ones. My question is, can I use the Non-polarized in place of the polarized ones and what kind of affect will it have if any. Please let me know. Thanks

 

[sp5it]

You need to connect 2 of them in series to get non polar cap.
https://onebyzeroelectronics.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-to-create-non-polar-capacitor-from.html

If originally were non polar, keep it that way.

 

[Ocean cruiser]

You need to connect 2 of them in series to get non polar cap.
https://onebyzeroelectronics.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-to-create-non-polar-capacitor-from.html

If originally were non polar, keep it that way.

 

[Ocean cruiser]

Thank you

 

[Tallman]

2.2uf caps @ 25 volts should be common as broken CB's on ebay.
I would wait and hunt some more.

 

[Ocean cruiser]

2.2uf caps @ 25 volts should be common as broken CB's on ebay.
I would wait and hunt some more.

Thanks Tallman. Will do.

 

[kopcicle]

Or just ask @Klondike Mike

 

[Robb]

Hey gang, im replacing the caps in a PC244 and came across some Polarized 2.2uf 25v caps. I can’t seem to find any on Digi-Key or Mouser. But I do have some Non-polarized ones. My question is, can I use the Non-polarized in place of the polarized ones and what kind of affect will it have if any. Please let me know. Thanks

Ummm . . . bit confused here . . .
Caps in radios are usually ALL polarized.
THE most common caps available are all polarized.
Digikey and Mouser has mountains of polarized caps.
Am I missing something here?

 

[Shockwave]

Although they are more expensive, you can almost always use a non polarized electrolytic in place of a polarized one but, not vise versa. The only difference is this cap will charge to the same open resistance value in the reverse direction and that is a condition you would not normally see in a circuit that was originally designed for use with a polarized cap.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I would bet that tedss has them.

https://www.tedss.com/LearnMore/Six-Things-To-Know-About-Capacitors

 

[Tallman]

The non-polarized are used for the passing of AC signals and DCV blocking, Polarized are used as DC ripple filters.
If you can wait for just a little while I know I have 2.2 at 25 vdc here I'll give you four or five if you can be patient. Also know this you can 2.2 for a higher voltage and use it.
Running caps in series reduces the capacity. If you put two 2.2 caps in series you end up with 1.1 uf.

 

[Dmans]

I would use 35 or 50 volt polarized caps in that application. Should be common as dirt.
73
David

 

[Tallman]

I would use 35 or 50 volt polarized caps in that application. Should be common as dirt.
73
David

That would be fine if they could fit mechanically, lead spacing, lead diameter diameter of the capacitors body.
The answer to your main question polarized or non, put in what came out. There is a reason the designer picked one or the other is he is privy to design parameters that may not be apparent.

 

[Handy Andy]

If the 244 Uniden I think you're working with...then ANY 2.2uF eve at 16V should work, it's a more common values today...



The 25V ratings is more of a durability and tolerance issue for quality assurance the "non-polarized" polarized parts being back to back NEGATIVE - realize that the design of the Electrolytic's back then had a influence on QUALITY as well as emission leakage.

Their last outer shell of foil was NEGATIVE - which provided shielding note the schematically oriented parts above - they are POSITIVE to POSITIVE so the "Board sees" Negative to Negative.

Just use good quality and close tolerance parts (105C rating too) and 16V would work - too high of a voltage, the thing would have some time trying to "lock" because of the "lag time" the higher voltage capacity - read bigger plate and larger separation within the package - may hinder the loop from working right.