Identify electrolytic caps manufacturers

[Bushbaby]

I'm sure that this may have been asked before but how can you identify who has manufactured relatively small electrolytic capacitors e.g. 10uF 35v? I have many capacitors that I have purchased over the years (some from Keiths TV for example) but I cannot identify the manufacturers? The reason I am asking is that I am particularly seeking Panasonic ones for some audio work.

Many thanks

Rob

[Nick]

Hmmmm.... tricky. Most capacitors will be generics from who knows who unless you purchase from a trade supplier (audio madness excepted). If you go to Rapid, CPC/Farnell/RS etc. you can be very specific.

If you want Panasonic, you'll know that they have dozens of ranges with differing primary attributes - low ESR, standard, high voltage, sub-miniature, axial, radial, snap-in, wired, screw terminal, etc. etc.

Just specifying "Panasonic" covers a huge base - what specifically are you after?

[Bushbaby]

From what I've been following Panasonic FM or even Nichicon KZ - I am looking to do some work on one of my Cambridge A&R A60's. I think you are correct, I will be better off buying from RS, Farnells etc directly.
I am following a link from Pink Fish Media as well as the original A&R Cambridge Limited service data sheet.

Best Regards

[Murphyv310]

Beware fake Panasonic electrolytic capacitors.
I've had alleged genuine Panasonic caps fail very quickly indeed.
There are other excellent electrolytic caps out there that are not copied by unscrupulous manufacturers in the far East. Buy wisely.

[ppppenguin]

Whatever you decide to buy, go to Farnell or RS (or Digikey or Mouser). They may have an occasional foul up but they will check their supply chains very carefully.

[Bushbaby]

Thanks all.
I never realised that even passive components like this can be cloned but I suppose in hindsight its obvious. Does this also go for other hardware such a transistors etc?

[Refugee]

It goes for most parts.
Do a search for "capacitor plague" and you will see loads of photos of blown up fake capacitors.

[Murphyv310]

The same is very common with transistors. Take for example some RF power transistors, they look just like the original but are low frequency audio types, very common. Even some top distributors have been caught out.

There is a worldwide shortage of components and this will allow these unscrupulous people to jump on the bandwagon.

[Nick]

Capacitor plague was a while ago, last devices affected being made round 2007.

Many perfectly legitimate manufacturers were affected - it was caused by a large batch of incorrectly formulated electrolyte used by many manufacturers, so a completely different issue.

Fake components, e.g rebranding cheap components as more expensive ones or using QA rejects and labeling them as good parts is widespread, especially if the component is expensive. Audio caps and semiconductors are particularly susceptible.

The bottom line is that if quality and reliability needs to be guaranteed, only buy from a source that verifies the whole supply chain, e.g. Farnell/RS etc. Occasionally, even they can be caught out, but it's very rare. If they say part X is from manufacturer Y, it almost certainly is - they do a lot of work, hence the cost premium. Buying off eBay or similar and all bets are off - maybe ok, maybe not.

Larger product manufacturers will carry out their own QA on each supplied batch and will carry out detailed logging of which suppliers' batch a given component comes from and in what product s/n that device was used, so that if a problem is subsequently identified in a batch, the affected products can be recalled.

[BusyBee]

Although I often end up buying a few more than for immediate needs I have noticed several times over the past few months that components from such as RS can end up being cheaper than those sold on ebay, particularly from sellers in the Uk. Chinese suppliers tend to be the cheapest but not to forget the often long delivery time. I suspect that, at least in the Uk, some people are buying in bulk from the larger companies and splitting into small lots for sales sites. This benefits most home users as they don't usually use 50 or more transistors over normal timespans and likely balk at RS minimum quantities, and, with their delivery charges, paying over the odds for 10 transistors but with free postage seems sensible.

Tracy