Installing power cord. What's your method?

[da_kube]

Just did this on a Sansui AU 517. I like to use Polarized wire (see picture). The black cable is connected to the terminal that is connected to the switch. Replaced the suppression with a proper X2 0.47uf 300V suppression cap. Works perfectly.

What does the suppression cap do? I assume thats what the tantalum caps were for?

 

[p4spooky]

The X2 capacitor across the switch connector suppresses arching in the switch contacts on power up. I can share the part# tomorrow if required.

 

[da_kube]

The X2 capacitor across the switch connector suppresses arching in the switch contacts on power up. I can share the part# tomorrow if required.

Thanks. I was just curious what they were for.

 

[gadget73]

usually those are not going to be tantalum. Ceramic or film, or sometimes even paper if its one of those RIFA caps that are prone to blowing up.

 

[da_kube]

usually those are not going to be tantalum. Ceramic or film, or sometimes even paper if its one of those RIFA caps that are prone to blowing up.

I think these are tantalums but I’m still pretty green on this stuff.

 

[painttoad]

I think these are tantalums but I’m still pretty green on this stuff.

those are ceramic

 

[tarior]

The X2 capacitor across the switch connector suppresses arching in the switch contacts on power up. I can share the part# tomorrow if required.

An X2 capacitor is inadequate to protect your switch contacts.
An RC snubber array is what you want.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/kemet/PMR209MC6100M100R30/3459475

I think these are tantalums but I’m still pretty green on this stuff.

Ceramic.

 

[painttoad]

here is an example of a tantalum that has you confused. note the polarity.



they also come in other shapes and sizes and some with color codes and no writing but i think this is what you thought you had

 

[da_kube]

An X2 capacitor is inadequate to protect your switch contacts.
An RC snubber array is what you want.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/kemet/PMR209MC6100M100R30/3459475

Ceramic.

I know about the snubber. It's my friend's amp but if it were mine I would buy the recap kit and replace the caps, diodes and offending transistors. The snubber also comes with the kit.

 

[tarior]

I know about the snubber. It's my friend's amp but if it were mine I would buy the recap kit and replace the caps, diodes and offending transistors. The snubber also comes with the kit.

Those kits on ebay are a ripoff and a joke. I don't recommend them to anybody.

 

[da_kube]

Those kits are a ripoff and a joke. I don't recommend them to anybody.

they are more expensive but for guys like me who don't know my tants from my ceramics they make sense. Full disclosure, I've never used one. I've always purchased my own stuff from Mouser and it takes me forever to figure out signal path and substitutions. The ones sold by a well known HKer also solve the main filter cap fitment issues. Seems nice for people who can't read electronics like you pros can.

 

[tarior]

they are more expensive but for guys like me who don't know my tants from my ceramics they make sense. Full disclosure, I've never used one. I've always purchased my own stuff from Mouser and it takes me forever to figure out signal path and substitutions. The ones sold by a well known HKer also solve the main filter cap fitment issues. Seems nice for people who can't read electronics like you pros can.

I don't like the component choices in them, especially the capacitors, and they tend to leave things out like trimmers and crucial semiconductors.

 

[p4spooky]

An X2 capacitor is inadequate to protect your switch contacts.
An RC snubber array is what you want.

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/kemet/PMR209MC6100M100R30/3459475

Ceramic.

Thanks, learnt something new. Will get it changed on my next digikey order.

Here is the part# I used across the power switch: TDK X2 EMI Suppression

 

[tarior]

Thanks, learnt something new. Will get it changed on my next digikey order.

Here is the part# I used across the power switch: TDK X2 EMI Suppression

That is just a EMI suppression cap to put across the line.

 

[Raccoon1400]

Just did this on a Sansui AU 517. I like to use Polarized wire (see picture). The black cable is connected to the terminal that is connected to the switch. Replaced the suppression with a proper X2 0.47uf 300V suppression cap. Works perfectly.

Can you share the part # for that strain relief thingy?

 

[p4spooky]

PG9 - Strain Relief
16/2 Cord - Cord (Polarity plug) - Make sure to connect the black (HOT) lead to the terminal that goes to the switch. Best practice is to switch the HOT line and not the Neutral.

hope this helps

 

[Doug G.]

The hot side of the power cord always goes to the fuse/switch.

Doug

 

[Doug G.]

We always called a strain relief a "heyco" after the company that made/makes them. They even used to say "Heyco" on them.

Doug

 

[Raccoon1400]

The hot side of the power cord always goes to the fuse/switch.

Doug

Not a reliable indicator. Maybe if I was designing something it should be that way. If you do the chassis to house ground voltage test, the power switch could be on either side. But you could rewire the switch to the hot side if you want. Just don't count on that being a reliable indicator.
And sometimes the fuse and switch are on opposite sides.

 

[Raccoon1400]

Can you share the part # for that strain relief thingy?

Sweet, that looks way easier than the squeeze type, especially for fatter cords.

I change cords to polarized on most of my overhauls. I normally use an SP2 type cord which usually involves filing the chassis to allow for a bigger grommet.

I looked on digikey for a similar power cord since I'm in Canada. This one looks good, you just waste the female plug. I've left original cords on bigger units that have thicker cords than my replacement and just marked the hot side. But this type will be good for those units.
401P1086F071A(R)
Now to see if they have that type of grommet, the one you linked is $10USD on amazon.com but $40 CND on amazon.ca...