The Kenwood KA-3500 restoration
- Thread starter hopjohn
- Start date
Less expensive to manufacture than changing the machinery to produce equal length legs.
Mike Mag
Active Member
This what google ai says
True non-polarized capacitors (like ceramic or film types) do not have a required orientation, and their leg lengths are generally equal. If you see a non-polarized capacitor with unequal leg lengths, it is likely a bipolar electrolytic capacitor or an assembly convenience to help with easier board insertion. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Here is a breakdown of why this happens:
- Board Insertion: Having one leg longer than the other makes it much easier to insert components into a circuit board. You can align and lock the longer lead into place first, then easily pull or adjust the body to slot in the shorter lead. [1]
- Manufacturing and Sorting: Circuit boards are often assembled using automated machines, which rely on a standard pin length format. Even though non-polarized capacitors can be placed in either direction, manufacturers standardize this design to streamline production with polarized components. [1]