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| Potting an electrolytic capacitor will make it last longer? |
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| ocset:
Hello, The following Philips Xitanium LED driver has a big “wet” electrolytic capacitor in it……and several smaller ones…..but they are all totally surrounded in potting compound. Do you believe that this will make them last longer than if they were not buried in potting compound? Philips Xitanium LED driver (75W)… http://www.docs.lighting.philips.com/en_gb/oem/download/xitanium/Xi_LP_75W_0.2-0.7A_S1_230V_S240_sXt_929000963206.pdf |
| Zero999:
I don't see how it will make it last longer, more like the reverse if the potting compound reduces the capacitor's ability to dissipate heat. It's also a potential safety issue. If the capacitor fails, the pressure will build up to a higher level, than it would do if the vent were allowed to pop open and vent the gas. |
| ocset:
Thanks, but i assume that in a totally enclosed enclosure, the potting compound would always make it easier for heat to get out of the capacitor? Yes i did think of the need-to-vent too....but philips potted over the can top......probably only about 5mm of potting covering the can top though....so could still explode out..... presumably no 'lytic explosion would be enough to fracture the 1.5mm thinck plastic enclosure |
| Zero999:
Potting stops thermal radiation and convection, leaving only conduction, which will be dependant on the compound, so I would expect it would act as a better thermal insulator, than free air. As far as explosion is concerned, I think it will depend on the hardness of the potting compound, with the softer, more elastic compounds being safer, than the harder more rigid ones. |
| voltsandjolts:
There are thermally conductive potting compounds such as Dow Corning TC6020 with conductivity of 2.72 W/mK, whereas RTV3120 is around 0.001 W/mK. Still air is around 0.05 W/mK So, potting could make thermal issues worse or better. It depends. |
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