Prediction of Capacitor Discussion [COLUG]

[Thomas W. Cranston]

jep200404 wrote:
> Keith Ward wrote:
>
>   
>> My psychic powers tell me that there is a strong possibility that a
>> discussion regarding underrated and swollen capacitors is about to
>> emerge ...
>>     
>
> :-)
>
> Keith Ward <rkward at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> Now I have to admit that my psychic powers have never worked
>> properly...
>>     
>
> One you announced your prediction, all I had to do was wait you out. 
> Of course, if you were trying to preempt such a discussion, you succeeded. 
>
> Actually, I was just away most of the day. 
> I got back from lunch around 5:15 pm. 
>
> Are you asking for a discussion of capacitors? 
>
> Jim
>
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>
>   
I knew Jim would take the bait. I think I know his opinions on the 
subject. I agree with them to a certain extent.

My education on the subject (right or wrong) is that swollen capacitors 
can also be caused by undersized power supplies. The explanation was 
that they were making up for peak demands that the power supply can not 
meet.

I used to do air conditioning work. The cheap units would use undersized 
motors. They used lots capacitor power to get them up to speed. I'm 
talking tiny motor and huge capacitor. I saw a few ugly results on 
service calls.

Lots of times Dell, HP, and etc used the smallest, cheapest power supply 
they could get. Just enough to run a brand new computer with no add ons.

I am aware that there were a lot of poorly made capacitors as well. It 
makes me wonder what happens when a marginal capacitor meets a marginal 
power supply.

Has anyone heard of this power supply theory before? Yea or nay?

Tom