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Capacitors are passive two terminal electronic components that has a wide variety of applications from oscillators to
Contents
power supply applications. One of the important application of capacitors is power line filtering which is used in
many electronic devices and appliances. Capacitors used for these applications are categorized as X and Y rated 1 Electrical Noise
capacitors. These capacitors are also known as EMI/RFI suppression capacitors or AC Line filter safety 2 Functions of X and Y Rated Capacitors
capacitors. These capacitors can supply various protective measures and operational insulation to various electrical 2.1 X Rated Capacitor
and electronics equipment. 2.2 Y Rated Capacitor
3 Classes of X and Y rated Capacitors
Electrical Noise
The electricity that comes into our home is not pure, it can have a lot of electrical noises which are picked up by utility lines. These noises includes EMI or RFI
noises, occasional voltage spikes, surges and dips. The occasional voltage spikes, surges and dips occurs due to sudden heavy current draws caused by turning
on of refrigerator, motors, air conditioners, shorting of transmission lines etc. The EMI or RFI noises are caused due to Radio Frequency interference caused due
to communication transmission. Thus Line Filtering Capacitors are used to reduce these kinds of noise.
X Rated Capacitor
Usually X Capacitors are connected across the line ie, line to line connection or line to neural connection. So the X rated capacitor checks and reduces
symmetrical interference. In Capacitor Power Supplies it is connected in series with the line (line to line connection) to drop voltage. In radios, televisions and
other electronic devices these type of capacitors are used to filter Electrical Noise. In the case of across the line connection when the capacitor fails two this can
happen, capacitor may open or short circuited. If the capacitor is open circuited it acts like there is no capacitor. It will make the performance of the device poor.
If the capacitor is short circuited it may blow a fuse or circuit breaker. Thus it would cause no risk to user. But if the fuse or circuit breakers are not proper it
may catch fire.
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8/24/2017 X and Y Rated Capacitors EMI or RFI Suppression AC Line Filter
Y Rated Capacitor
Y rated capacitors are generally used for line to ground or neutral to ground connections. Thus it bypasses all asymmetrical interference. In these type of filters,
capacitor is connected to one of the AC lines and to the appliances metallic chassis. Most of the home appliances have metal chassis connected to electric
ground or neutral. Most of them have three pin plug though which the metal chassis is connected to the ground if your home is properly wired. As in the
previous case if the capacitor open there is no hazards. But if it is short circuited it may cause electrical shock if the chassis is not properly earthed. The chassis
may become hot due to the current flow through chassis to ground.
These capacitors are used in inverters, motors, spark quenchers, solid state relay snubbers and electronic ballasts.
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