Determining Cap Polarity

Embalmo

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Hey folks. I'm a noob trying to do my first cap with a WG 7203. I assumed that the polarity would be printed on the board for ALL the caps. Well, I pulled one off and started to insert the new one, but I can't find a little plus sign on the board.

I know now that I should have determined how the old cap was inserted before I removed it, but now what can I do to determine which way the cap is supposed to go in?

Thanks,

Embalmo
 
lot of board have a half moon dark shaded area
if u see that it usually means - minuis side there
so then the opposite side is +
best to chk the main ground up through (applys) to 90 % of the power electrolytic's
that is where u start is the ground path
i say this because i came across the exact opposite where the 1/2 moon was +

ed
 
ALWAYS check the polarity of the old capacitor before removing it from PCB because not all boards list polarity and some have screen printed mistakes so the polarity is wrong on the boards.
 
Damage?

What kind of potential damage can occur from a cap installed with incorrect polarity?
 
oh for sure if it is reversed u will see magic fairy smoke before the boom

ed

Some times they surprise you with the "pop" and party streamers with no sign of smoke before the thrill. Just be careful where you put your face when checking test points.
 
I think almost all the caps on there will have the negative sides tied together. so you can probe around from what you think is the negative to another negative that you KNOW is negative.

you can also probably deduce this if there's a schematic available. or perhaps you can take pictures of the ones you're unsure of and someone else with a K7200 has one to show the way they go.
 
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