2 Mar
2009
2 Mar
'09
10:48 a.m.
If it was plugged in but not switched on and
something popped, it'll be
the mains filter cap. They *do* fail, and they're easy to replace.
In seeing photos of this in the process of dealing with it offlist, it looks exactly like that's what it was. When I asked
about the markings on the
failed parts I was told that they included "250V", which is way inadequate
for UK mains voltages...
Not necessarily. Some mains filter capacitors used over here are rated at
250VAC working. In other words they are designed to work on 250V (or
less) AC mains.The DC rating is a lot higher.
There are also several 'classes' of mains filter capacitors (X2, Y2,
etc). One of them (I forget which, but I would check before replacing
anything) is designed so it can't fail short-circuit. That is the type to
use between either side of the mains and the case/dafety earth. The one
across the mains is less critical safety-wise.
-tony