Testing Condenser Insulation

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 12, 4 October 1929, Page 31

Testing Condenser Insulation

SC nenaametnenl {IXED condensers are worse than useless in a receivér unless their internal insulation is sound: This is specially important in B battery shunting condensers, and those who have electric supply mains available can test any doubtful condensers in the following way. Cut one of the leads to a lamp, leaving the other lead intact, and connect the ends of the cut lead to the terminals of the condensey. The lamp and condenser are then in series, and when the switch is put on, the lamp should not light, if the condenser dielectric is sound. Any fixed condenser should be able to withstand safely the: 220 volts of the mains, so that no damage will result from the test. In the event of a fault in the dielectric, and a consequent contact between two adjacent plates of the condenser, the lamp will light, acting as a safety resistance and preventing a short-circuit in the mains