Re: tantalum caps wasRe: emc success

Blowing up tantalum caps is generally a problem if they are across a hefty
power supply which can deliver substantial amounts of current at start up.
Therefore, in applications like supply line decoupling in big semiconductor
RF amplifiers, designers put a small resistor (some tenths of Ohms) in
series with the tantalum to limit the inrush current.
Admitted, this spoils some of the good properties of the tantalum cap.
In this configuration they are still better (at some frequencies) for
decoupling purposes than standard electrolytics, and smaller too.
If you never use a larger power supply than a simple wall wart, no series
resistors are necessary to keep the tantalums from exploding.

Mike.

----- Original Message -----
From: <ballendo@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2000 12:54 AM
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] re: tantalum caps wasRe: emc success


> Mariss writes:
> >Tantalum capacitors blow up very readily due to their very low
> >internal resistance (ESR).<snip>
>
> Mariss,
>
> Do you agree with Jon E that their(tantalum caps) use should be
> avoided ?
>
> Ballendo