That's what I was hoping to learn by those extra bits of code/part number. That is, while the main info is usually pretty clear, are some of the other characteristics or series revealed in those extra bits? How do I tell a CEA cap from a CEANL cap, or a UKL series from a UES series by looking at it (other than via experience)? Perhaps some of those extra bits describe that or things like lead spacing or size as well.
I do have most of the Tuning Fork booklets saved on my computer, which brought up one slightly confusing statement regarding the "NL" designation. In a section referring to Characteristics, represented by a 2-letter code, applying to CC, CK and CE type caps;
"4.3 Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors (CE) This type of capacitor, designed for very low leakage currents, is given an NL code and is covered by an orange tube."
Well, most of the caps (factory originals) on my EQ amp board are designated in my manual (an SX-939 manual) as CEA-NL caps. None of which are covered in an orange tube. It did remind me though that the color of the cap might reveal the series, and /or other characteristics, if I had some manufacturers charts to explain them.
Larry/MTF's info (as well as some other helpful posters) solves this for me by advising the use of Nichicon UKL series (or the Sanyo FC's), and I can see those series mentioned in [most] catalogs, such as Mouser's. That only helps though for Nichicon/Sanyo caps as other manufacturers use different codes for their different series caps, which I am as yet unable to decipher. Fortunately it seems most, if not all of the caps I will need are still available in Nichicon. If I had to access a few different manufacturers to fill my needs for various reasons the the research would be very demanding!
Which leads me to another question, is mixing different manufacturers parts not good, or is that a matter of little importance?
I do have most of the Tuning Fork booklets saved on my computer, which brought up one slightly confusing statement regarding the "NL" designation. In a section referring to Characteristics, represented by a 2-letter code, applying to CC, CK and CE type caps;
"4.3 Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors (CE) This type of capacitor, designed for very low leakage currents, is given an NL code and is covered by an orange tube."
Well, most of the caps (factory originals) on my EQ amp board are designated in my manual (an SX-939 manual) as CEA-NL caps. None of which are covered in an orange tube. It did remind me though that the color of the cap might reveal the series, and /or other characteristics, if I had some manufacturers charts to explain them.
Larry/MTF's info (as well as some other helpful posters) solves this for me by advising the use of Nichicon UKL series (or the Sanyo FC's), and I can see those series mentioned in [most] catalogs, such as Mouser's. That only helps though for Nichicon/Sanyo caps as other manufacturers use different codes for their different series caps, which I am as yet unable to decipher. Fortunately it seems most, if not all of the caps I will need are still available in Nichicon. If I had to access a few different manufacturers to fill my needs for various reasons the the research would be very demanding!
Which leads me to another question, is mixing different manufacturers parts not good, or is that a matter of little importance?