[sdiy] Bypass caps: Tantalum or Ceramic?

[Ken Stone]

One Databook I have here says to use a single Tant per PCB, with 0.1 close
to each chip on the PCB. I use Tants myself even though they have the
occasional problems. 

For the record, I have only found a single shorted one in commercial
equipment in my life. I have however had a pair of them go off like blow
torches in a DIY project, though both of these were old ones I salvaged
(>20years), and due to poor markings, *may* have been put in backwards. They
survived several hours then whoosh - blowtorch effect, and dead short across
the power rails. (they blew about 2 days apart).


>Both.
>I ussualy use 10uF tantal and 0.1uF ceramic on each rail
>close to the chip. For logic ICs I use only 0.1uF
>
>People complain about tantals, but I have never seen a broken
>one. Well, I've seen, but this was the one I tested what happens
>when I heet it with soldering iron for veeery long.
>
>Roman
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: Jim Johnson <jamos at technotoys.com>
>To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
>Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 9:45 PM
>Subject: [sdiy] Bypass caps: Tantalum or Ceramic?
>
>
>> So what do most folks prefer for bypass caps: tantalum or ceramic?
>> 
>> 
>> Jim Johnson 
>> Metaphoric Software
>> -------------------
>> Makers of Techno Toys
>> Software for Electronic Music
>> http://www.technotoys.com
>> info at technotoys.com
>> 
>> 
>
>
_______________________________________________________________________
Ken Stone   sasami at hotkey.net.au  
Modular Synth PCBs for sale <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/synth/>
Australian Miniature Horses & Ponies <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/>