Electronics guys, how to identify a polarized cap

schapman43 · 07-18-2005, 07:59 PM

I'm fairly new to electronics and have a few questions. The first is, how do you tell if a cap is polarized or standard? My guess is that the polarized caps are cylindrical and have one lead that is longer than the other. My other assumption is that the longer lead is positive, is that correct?

KyleYankan · 07-18-2005, 08:02 PM

Most polarized caps have a marked edge. Like the side of the one pin has a black line. the black line usually says which polarity that side is.

jcdillin · 07-18-2005, 08:26 PM

yup, black line on radial caps and a white line on the black SMD caps

schapman43 · 07-18-2005, 08:27 PM

The ones I have do have that black line. The black line is made up of thick black arrows, inside the arrow is a rectangle so I'm assuming thats negative. Also, the line of black arrows goes down to the short lead.

jcdillin · 07-18-2005, 08:44 PM

you got it

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