What is this big capacitor, or whatever it is?

[Tartaros]

I'm in the middle of troubleshooting a failing TV and when I opened it to get the PSU, I found it has this massive thing, like 5 cm (2 inches) long.

I does look like a capacitor, but is not like anything I have seen. The label says KS450V, 120 uF and 85ºC - L2A PET from Samwha.

The closest thing I found in google was this big chonk of an electrolytic capacitor, so I assume it is indeed an electrolytic capacitor but I want to be sure and if it has any kind of different purpose or characteristic than normal smaller ones. Does anyone know?

 

[Ferrum Master]

Dude? Where are you poking your nose if you lack any basic knowledge? Asking for trouble? Or being electrocuted to death?

 

[mclaren85]

Hola!
It must be a high discharge rated capacitor for electron tube

 

[Ferrum Master]

Hola!
It must be a high discharge rated capacitor for electron tube

its 120uF, what's so high about it? t is a simple Bulk capacitor.

 

[Tartaros]

Dude? Where are you poking your nose if you lack any basic knowledge? Asking for trouble? Or being electrocuted to death?

Dude chill out, the tv has been off for 2 months now. It's not the first time I repaired a monitor or similar, is just I never saw this kind of thing ever.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Dude chill out, the tv has been off for 2 months now. It's not the first time I repaired a monitor or similar, is just I never saw this kind of thing ever.

If you can't distinct basic electronics and passive part variety, you should not do it - simple as that.

 

[Tartaros]

If you can't distinct basic electronics and passive part variety, you should not do it - simple as that.

Are you going to help me to understand what is this or are you going to keep lecturing me?

 

[Bones]

Dude chill out, the tv has been off for 2 months now. It's not the first time I repaired a monitor or similar, is just I never saw this kind of thing ever.

If you can't distinct basic electronics and passive part variety, you should not do it - simple as that.

He's not wrong.

Doesn't matter if it's been off for a few months or years, capacitors can store a full charge for several years with ease.
Anytime you work with things that have capacitors, esp of the size you have it's a real risk of injury or even death as you should know yourself.
Just look at the "Hand" printed next to it - That says it all and for good reason.

That's why it's being said, if you don't know what it is you're working on you are placing yourself at risk of such happening to you.
Understand - He's not assuming your knowledge or experience just by saying that, it is to an extent a responsibilty to mention it - So he did.

Yes, from the values you've given

KS450V, 120 uF and 85ºC

it's a capacitor.

 

[Ahhzz]

Alright everyone, a little less hostility all around, please. Yes, that's a capacitor. I know of no other electronic component measured in farads. Yes, they can store a charge for an extended period of time. Most people who work around Tube components keep a discharge setup of some sort to protect themselves just in case. I've opened the case on a dumb terminal that had been in storage for over 4 years, and had a "pop" from the cap when I shorted it. 2 millifarads can definitely hold enough charge to wake you up; glad that one didn't, or you'd be well aware of what it was . Any other questions?

edit: noted the 450v rating of the device, that is rated at 450DC, and that would definitely get your attention if it wasn't already discharged.

 

[TheUn4seen]

See this? It probably means "don't screw around in this area". Yeah, it's an electrolytic capacitor. Don't fool yourself into thinking it's safe because it was off for some time, good caps can retain charge for quite a while and "off" nowadays usually means "soft-off", which, in case of power supplies, means "not really off".

 

[Bones]

Yep - The large capacitors I used to work with concerning mobile industrial equipment can build a static charge just sitting on the shelf, waiting to be used and can store a charge in the same manner as any other cap can do once used.

That means any capacitor has the potential to either hold a charge from previous use or build a static charge in that manner, esp the higher voltage caps like that (450V) or the ones I used to work with - Those being around 5,000 - 10,000v's with some being even larger in voltage capacity, depending on the size of the cap, the machine itself and what it was used for in the machine.

Those caps always came from the factory and were stored with a little metal wire/bar connecting the two ends so hopefully it woudn't do that but even then, we'd still short them before installation to be safe about it.

 

[bug]

I couldn't repair electronics to save my life, but I can still tell if it says uF, it's a capacitor.

 

[Bones]

Seriously - I'm just glad for the OP they didn't get popped by sticking the end of the measuring tape in there as they did.
Had that been done on the other end of it, well.... The result probrably would have been a "Shocking" experience.

 

[thewan]

Dude chill out, the tv has been off for 2 months now. It's not the first time I repaired a monitor or similar, is just I never saw this kind of thing ever.

Are you going to help me to understand what is this or are you going to keep lecturing me?

we are going to keep lecturing you because you do not know enough and seem to lack a sense of danger. ending up in the hospital or even death is serious business so take it seriously pls.

 

[Steevo]

120uf cap on that board may be storing 1-4 joules of electrical charge depending on what voltage its fed 120/240 and a defibrillator usually starts between 5-10, so it's enough to cause cardiac issues.


Also notice how it says discharge and has arrows pointing to the legs.

 

[xtreemchaos]

i remember reading a while ago a tech got his heart stopped at recycle centre in i think Germany from a monitor which had been in the Wherehouse for 2 years Luckly thay had a defib on site and brought him or her back. yes, it is a cap for sure but not one ive come across.

 

[Ahhzz]

Excellent information indeed from the members here, thanks If OP has any additional questions, he can contact the staff to reopen the thread, or start a new one. thanks guys!