square capacitors

[simonbaker]

I'm still in dark ages, use old junky parts.

I see square capacitors on most circuit boards.

Would someone talk about those capacitors, advantages, specs, why use, where get?

Regards,

-SB

[Molzar]

Hi Simon,

Can't answer all your questions but I know one reason they are rectangular shaped is to be easy to manipulate on automated insertion machines. Not sure but I think they may be overmolded square even though capacitor part may still be irregular (like some older dipped caps) So maybe same old junky parts in nice shiney new box! Prehaps I'll bust one open and take a gander....
These are readily available here across the pond, Mouser (my favorite), Digi-Key, Jamesco, etc. Personally I haven't noticed any great performance advantage over the older dipped type caps, but they definately look pretty.......

Cheers,

Molzar

[simonbaker]

Thanks -- I thought maybe they were high precision or more stable. I see them in Tesoro PCBs.

Regards,

-SB

[Max]

I'm still in dark ages, use old junky parts.

I see square capacitors on most circuit boards.

Would someone talk about those capacitors, advantages, specs, why use, where get?

Regards,

-SB

Hi,
yes... but you didn't specify any technology... I think you mean the poly caps like in the picture....

Are nothing special , just capacitors... and there aren't much differences from old style stuff... just often tolerance is lower than older ones.

That is... it's an old way to make such stuff... just today the use of e.g. mylar and plastic in general make their construction easy... they save space also than years ago.

Kind regards,
Max