"Tag" tantalum

[dropkick]

Dave has used the term "tag tant" in several videos.  What is the meaning of "tag"? Shape? Composition? Brand? Some other historic abbreviation?  Google-fu failed me.

The last time I heard (read) this over just simply 'tantalum' was an old Rat Shack beginner's electronics book from my childhood. So I still think of them as tag tants too, but why? Just curious

[Psi]

I always thought it was tantalum caps that look like a 'skin tab' sitting on the PCB, but I suspect that's not the official meaning. But who knows...   

[dropkick]

That's all I could come up with too... But Dave did say it about a square shaped one as well, so that blew that theory

[connectTek]

There is TJP, TAP and TEP series tantalum capacitors made by AVX.
I have not found a TAG series as of yet, but I assume it is series name.
The P in TJP, TAP, TEP is for professional use according to data sheet
The "G" in TAG may mean general use.
Just an assumption though.

[Terry Bites]

I think its a daveism.

[Psi]

I think its a daveism.

Na, i'd heard the term before EEVBlog existed.

[mag_therm]

Was it a term used only in Australia / NZ area?
Note the flags of those on this thread who knew it.
I remember it being used there from late 1970's on, as a name for only the yellow/orange 0.1 pitch tear drops.

Search "tag tantalum capacitor" "tag capacitor" and "tag tantalum" did not show hits associating "tag" with capacitors or tantalum.

May have come from part number prefix of a vendor there as connectTEK says, or just because it looked like a "skin tag" as Psi mentions.

Maybe Dave had picked it up from working with some old timers in Australia.

[connectTek]

In the 70s and 80s ETI and EA ( Australian Electronic Magazines) mostley used the term Tag tantalum.
I know , because Im of that vintage.

[gbaddeley]

In the 70s and 80s ETI and EA ( Australian Electronic Magazines) mostley used the term Tag tantalum.
I know , because Im of that vintage.

I was thinking that too. I started buying EA in 1973, and now have the full set! I might browse through a few projects from that vintage.

[wilfred]

In the 70s and 80s ETI and EA ( Australian Electronic Magazines) mostley used the term Tag tantalum.
I know , because Im of that vintage.

I was thinking that too. I started buying EA in 1973, and now have the full set! I might browse through a few projects from that vintage.

I tried the same thing. The first one I looked in was March 1983 at a DSE ad on page 13. They has Tag Tantalums described as "resin dipped electrolytic".

I poked around with a text search of about 10 editions and no project parts list or article mentioned "Tag". But I definitely have heard of the expression being used (in print).

Maybe it refers to the capacitor on the production line prior to dipping.

[gbaddeley]

Found a reference in EA Yearbook 1975/76, page 45. Solid Tantalum colour coding (table of codes) Reproduced from the ITT components data sheet for TAG capacitors, courtesy Standard Telephone & Cables Ltd