Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: bakerlite on August 01, 2012, 08:42:07 am
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Can Bipolar caps be used ABSOLUTELY anywhere that standard polarized caps are called for (within the regular realm of tube amps) or are there exceptions?
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I would recommend not using bipolar caps unless you already have a couple on hand.
Inside, they are basically just two electrolytic caps in series, and with their polarities opposite. If an electrolytic cap has its failings, the bipolar caps have them, times 2.
These also make more sense in a solid-state design, where you might have an output with a series electrolytic coupling cap, due to the low circuit impedances.
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Let me answer your original question.
Can Bipolar caps be used ABSOLUTELY anywhere ...
Within their voltage ratings, sure.
... that standard polarized caps are called for (within the regular realm of tube amps) or are there exceptions?
If a polarized cap will work in the desired circuit position, why would you use a more expensive (and probably inferior) bipolar cap?
Again, a bipolar cap makes the most sense in coupling duties when you have to have a non-polarized cap, and the needed value is too big to find in available non-polar capacitors. I'm thinking a coupling cap in the 10's-of-microfarads range.