Re: dc hv capacitor question (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:06:22 -0500
From: Bert Hickman <bert.hickman@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: dc hv capacitor question (fwd)

Tesla list wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:13:23 -0400
> From: miles waldron <mileswaldron@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: dc hv capacitor question
> 
> I have good fortune to have a set of 10nf 10kvdc ceramic DC laser pulse
> caps. They are blue, but all I know and can remember and can measure is that
> they are 10nf each at 10kvdc. My question is which termial is more likely
> "+" and which terminal is more likely "-"? The connectors are all the same
> female bolts, but the "top" is all smooth, and seem to have been pressed
> onto the "bottom". Is there some experiment or characteristic that I can use
> to figure out the DC orientation?
> 
> http://www.gravitymagnet.com/eBay/IMG_0001_2.JPG
> 
> Gentlemen,
> 
> Miles
> 
> 
> 
> 
Hi Miles,

For ceramic caps, there is no polarity. Only "electrolytic" capacitors 
(aluminum, tantalum, or supercapacitors) have a defined DC polarity. All 
other types (film, ceramic, vacuum, air, mica, etc.) are not polarized.

For a good overview of capacitors, you might find this useful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor#Capacitor_types

Bert
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