Vintage Ceramic Capicator Markings

A variety of schemes may be used.

Vintage ceramic capicator markings.

There are several tolerance marking systems used. I replace any that are faulty and any that look suspect. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on this. I tend to take a middle line on this subject.

The great capacitor debate. The first two significant digits represent the first two digits of the actual value which is 47. Old capacitor checkers are available cheaply at swap meets and on ebay. Nos vintage rubycon 20 20 20 20 uf 450v quad can capacitor tube amp cap working 29 99 2 nos vintage 1965 crl 05 uf 16v ceramic disk guitar tone capacitors qty ava.

The markings on a ceramic capacitor are more concise in nature since it is smaller in size as compared to electrolytic capacitors. The marks listed below are grouped as far as was possible in a logical order with similar signs graphics shapes etc grouped together. Like all vintage equipment they will need routine service including capacitor replacement before they are reliable and accurate. The value of the capacitor is indicated in picofarads.

Ceramic capacitors are generally smaller than types like electrolytic capacitors and therefore the markings need to be more concise. Often the value may be given in picofarads. Sometimes figures such as 10n will be seen and this indicates a 10nf capacitor. They are very easy to decode to find the value.

Thus for such concise markings many different types of schemes or solutions are adopted. A collection of pottery marks using photos and images from our antique collection for easy reference and as a quick guide to the possible attribution of your latest porcelain collectible or pottery marks. Ceramic disc capacitor code label will normally consist of three numbers followed by a letter. Ceramic capacitors which are usually tiny pancakes with two pins typically list the tolerance value as one letter immediately after the three digit capacitance value.

To test old capacitors for leakiness you need a capacitor checker that applies the correct operating voltage often over 100 volts. This letter represents the tolerance of the capacitor meaning how close the actual value of the capacitor can be expected to be to the indicated value of the capacitor. The first is used with small ceramic capacitors and appears as a single letter. Capacitor tolerance markings in addition to the capacitance value and possibly the working voltage or breakdown voltage the capacitor may be marked by its tolerance.

There is an ongoing debate in the vintage radio press as to whether one should just replace the faulty capacitors or the whole lot.