by erichayes » Sun Nov 28, 2004 11:28 pm
Hi All,
Don, to quote God knows how many philosophers, "It is always better to ask a stupid question than make a stupid mistake". Yes, a 600 volt cap can replace a lower voltage cap as long as there are no physical restrictions. The same is true of resistor power dissipation ratings and inductor and transformer current spec's.
The only time the "bigger is better" voltage rating on caps didn't (note past tense) apply was with electrolytics. Ustabee electrolytic caps pretty much had to be matched to the voltage that was applied to them, with a 50% maximum overrating, in order for them to "form", or attain their specified capacitance. That's no longer true (I've deliberately used new-manufacture 450V caps in cathode bypass applications just to see what would happen; nothing did). The main reason for matching voltage to application now is price.
Eric in the Jefferson State