[Boatanchors] Multi Section Capacitors

[Drew P.]

David C. Hallam wrote:

"If I have a 4 section capacitor 40/40/20/20 uF with the voltage rating I
need, can I safely parallel the 3 of the sections (40/40/20) to make a
single 100 uF section and have a 100/20 uF capacitor?"

You can, and the voltage rating would be limited that of the lowest-rated paralleled section.  There might, however, be another concern.  If you have a multi-section electrolytic capacitor, chances are that it has been around for some time; these have not been made (except as a specialty item) for a good number of years. Old electrolytics, even those which have sat unused, are always of questionable reliability even if reformed.

Drew