Here is a dumb novice question for ya. Can I replace a polarized paper cap with a tubular metal film cap? The metal film cap does not appear to be polarized. I recently ordered some tubular caps thinking they would be good replacements for use in reconditioning old radios. When I got them I noticed there is no "+" or "-" indicated on the capacitor. Thanks

Hi Larry

Sure you can but usually the polarized caps will be elecrolytic and smaller in size. If you buy a metal film type of the same value they will be larger and cost more. Polarized caps will have values like 10 mfd @ 450 volts. Be sure your metal film types have similar ratings.

Norm

Here is a dumb novice question for ya. Can I replace a polarized paper cap with a tubular metal film cap? The metal film cap does not appear to be polarized. I recently ordered some tubular caps thinking they would be good replacements for use in reconditioning old radios. When I got them I noticed there is no "+" or "-" indicated on the capacitor. Thanks

: Hi Larry

: Sure you can but usually the polarized caps will be elecrolytic and smaller in size. If you buy a metal film type of the same value they will be larger and cost more. Polarized caps will have values like 10 mfd @ 450 volts. Be sure your metal film types have similar ratings.

: Norm

: Here is a dumb novice question for ya. Can I replace a polarized paper cap with a tubular metal film cap? The metal film cap does not appear to be polarized. I recently ordered some tubular caps thinking they would be good replacements for use in reconditioning old radios. When I got them I noticed there is no "+" or "-" indicated on the capacitor. Thanks

The "polarity" marking on older paper caps indicates the outside foil. This was supposed to be connected to the ground side of the circuit to provide a self-shielding action. In reality, the caps themselves aren't polarized.

: : Hi Larry

: : Sure you can but usually the polarized caps will be elecrolytic and smaller in size. If you buy a metal film type of the same value they will be larger and cost more. Polarized caps will have values like 10 mfd @ 450 volts. Be sure your metal film types have similar ratings.

: : Norm

: : Here is a dumb novice question for ya. Can I replace a polarized paper cap with a tubular metal film cap? The metal film cap does not appear to be polarized. I recently ordered some tubular caps thinking they would be good replacements for use in reconditioning old radios. When I got them I noticed there is no "+" or "-" indicated on the capacitor. Thanks

: The "polarity" marking on older paper caps indicates the outside foil. This was supposed to be connected to the ground side of the circuit to provide a self-shielding action. In reality, the caps themselves aren't polarized.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

The original paper cap will not have a + or - marking. Outside marking, as Erich mentioned, will usually be indicated by a stripe.

Norm

: : : Hi Larry

: : : Sure you can but usually the polarized caps will be elecrolytic and smaller in size. If you buy a metal film type of the same value they will be larger and cost more. Polarized caps will have values like 10 mfd @ 450 volts. Be sure your metal film types have similar ratings.

: : : Norm

: : : Here is a dumb novice question for ya. Can I replace a polarized paper cap with a tubular metal film cap? The metal film cap does not appear to be polarized. I recently ordered some tubular caps thinking they would be good replacements for use in reconditioning old radios. When I got them I noticed there is no "+" or "-" indicated on the capacitor. Thanks

: : The "polarity" marking on older paper caps indicates the outside foil. This was supposed to be connected to the ground side of the circuit to provide a self-shielding action. In reality, the caps themselves aren't polarized.

: Thanks for clearing that up for me.