Aluminum electrolytic capacitor storage

[kesadav882]

any aluninum electrolytic capacitor engineer my help?

Manufacturers of aluminum electrolytic capacitors recommend energizing these capacitors before two years of storage to avoid the need for refurbishment. Does this procedure only work on new electrolytic capacitors that have been used very little?

Used and old electrolytic capacitors (from the 90s) have their internal chemistry altered by age and use. They are mounted on PCBs. Does this recommendation not work in this case?

[APDahlen]

Hello @kesadav882,

Answer as FAQ embedded into this post:

Selection Guide for Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

What is an aluminum electrolytic capacitor? Capacitors are passive electronic devices that store electric charge. Polarized aluminum electrolytic capacitors are typically constructed using two rolled layers of aluminum foil separated by a paper insulator saturated with a wet electrolyte. This capacitor’s dielectric consists of this insulator in conjunction with a thin oxide layer formed on the positive foil anode. Electrolytic capacitors have a relatively high capacitance-voltage (CV) rating per…

Sincerely,

APDahlen

[kesadav882]

Manufacturers of aluminum electrolytic capacitors recommend energizing these components before 2 years of storage. Why is this recommendation?

Is this recommendation only for new, unused aluminum electrolytic capacitors?

Does this recommendation not apply to used aluminum electrolytic capacitors manufactured in the early 1990s?

[APDahlen]

Hello @kesadav882,

Please see the engineering notes and FAQ in this post:

Selection Guide for Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

What is an aluminum electrolytic capacitor? Capacitors are passive electronic devices that store electric charge. Polarized aluminum electrolytic capacitors are typically constructed using two rolled layers of aluminum foil separated by a paper insulator saturated with a wet electrolyte. This capacitor’s dielectric consists of this insulator in conjunction with a thin oxide layer formed on the positive foil anode. Electrolytic capacitors have a relatively high capacitance-voltage (CV) rating per…

as well as this post:

Why do electronic components have a shelf life?

Electronic component manufacturing is a miracle of modern technology. It’s a fascinating and highly complex process to extract the raw materials from the earth, purify them, and then produce the finished products. Millions of man hours have been expended to manufacture materials that are low in cost, easy for the end user to assemble, and electrically plus mechanically stable. This is true for all components from the “simple” resistor all the way to the most complex multicore processor. Despite…

It applies to all capacitors for today and 100 years into the past.

Sincerely,

Aaron

P.S. Why do you keep asking the same questions about aging electronic? As I’ve told you too many times already, things degrade. It’s the nature of the technology and economics that balance cost, features, and longevity.

[kesadav882]

I had received several controversial answers in several forums, so I still had doubts:

Some people told me that energizing all aluminum electrolytic capacitors in electronic circuits or not before 2 years is only for new, unused electrolytic capacitors; other people told me that this recommendation works for aluminum electrolytic capacitors in general, whether used or not, over 30 years old or new.

I needed an answer from an electrical and chemical engineer about aluminum electrolytic capacitors.

What I can tell you is that the temperature in my house varies between 33-35C

I asked the manufacturers by email and they had no answer if this rule also works for aluminum electrolytic capacitors used and manufactured in the early 90s.

[RobertCNelson]

@kesadav882

I needed an answer from an electrical and chemical engineer about aluminum electrolytic capacitors.

How about an answer from Nippon Chemi Con… Lifetime of Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors | Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation The simple answer, over time all capacitors will fail. Electrolytic will also eventually leak…

Another good article: https://www.we-online.com/components/media/o173043v410%20SN008_Aluminum-Electrolytic-Polymer-Capacitors_EN.pdf

So most estimates give you 15 years…

Regards,

[kesadav882]

I have stored here electronic devices with aluminum electrolytic capacitors used and manufactured in the early 90s. Here the temperature varies between 33-35C. These electronic devices need to be energized what time and frequency to prevent failures in these aluminum electrolytic capacitors caused by disuse?