[ARC5] Aging Electrolytics

[Brian]

Hello Wayne,

Electrolytic capacitors last longest when operated close to their rated 
working Voltage. When operated a much lower than their rated working 
Voltage, you run the risk of the coating on the electrodes becoming 
depolarised and losing capacity.

Tantalum capacitors last longest when operated at much lower than their 
rated working Voltage.

73 de Brian, VK2GCE.

On Sunday, February 01, 2015 12:01 AM , you asked:

<snip>
I was just wondering if the higher voltage rating translated into longer
life at lower voltages.

Wayne