[NEVER MIND] "Laptop style" SMPS: MOV marking seems wrong, how should I replace?

[mad_mav]

Hello world =)

The SMPS of my speakers went bust and as it is hard to find a replacement (27V 1.2A !).... 
Inspection shows a Rapid Unplanned Disassembly of the fuse (totally exploded into pieces...) as well as of a MOV parallel to the primary side electrolytic capacitor. The capacitor seems dodgy: sometimes it would measure healthy on the LCR, sometimes non-existing.. So I'd suspect the failed capacitor might have allowed for a surge during switching which busted the MOV which created short circuit for primary... Replace them all.. But wait..

The capacitor is 400V, so according to a 10% transient overload 440V should be the absolute maximum for a MOV parallel to it. The MOV however is only marked with "1kV" (no model number)! I'm tempted to replace it with something like a MOV for 350V operation/430V clamping, as it seems like the right protection for the capacitor. Yet I'm more of a 5V monkey and do not know much about power supplys - what would you suggest?

On a side note: I had to dig myself through the silicon stuff they almost potted the thing with - is it OK to use hot glue during assembly instead, or is it a no-no at high voltage?

[drussell]

Are you sure it is a MOV and not just an across-the-line capacitor for EMI reduction?

Perhaps you could post some photos?

[mad_mav]

OK, now I feel silly... This blue disc thingy collected from pieces was probably just a ceramic capacitor that failed short in parallel to the electrolytic and not a mov..    No usual RU etc markings here though... There is a separate capacitor on the AC side too...