capacitors
- Thread starter dferrara
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ron
Senior Member
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- New York, 40.7514,-73.9925
Re: capacitors
On a somewhat related note, how does a tanning bed work? Why are there capacitors for a tanning bed? I've never seen one, and always assumed it was a series of specialized fluorescent lights that output the type of light needed for a tan.
On a somewhat related note, how does a tanning bed work? Why are there capacitors for a tanning bed? I've never seen one, and always assumed it was a series of specialized fluorescent lights that output the type of light needed for a tan.
Re: capacitors
The safest way is through a resistor. However most capacitors have enough dieletric leakage that it will discharge itself in a couple of hours. But the way I do it is short the terminals with a screwdriver, I like to hear them pop!
Are you sure it is a capacitor? I know of no reason why there would be any capacitors in a tanning bed.
The safest way is through a resistor. However most capacitors have enough dieletric leakage that it will discharge itself in a couple of hours. But the way I do it is short the terminals with a screwdriver, I like to hear them pop!
Are you sure it is a capacitor? I know of no reason why there would be any capacitors in a tanning bed.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: capacitors
I believe tanning beds use capacitors as starters/ignitors for the lighting. They are usually quite small. I also belive tha NEMA/ANSI standards require discharge circuits in equipment that have capacitors. This discharge circuit is required to reduce the residual voltage to less than 50V nominal within one minute after the capacitor has been discharged. This same requiment can be found in Section 460.6 of the NEC.
Your best bet is to use at least 1K ohm resistor to short the leads for an added safety measure.
I believe tanning beds use capacitors as starters/ignitors for the lighting. They are usually quite small. I also belive tha NEMA/ANSI standards require discharge circuits in equipment that have capacitors. This discharge circuit is required to reduce the residual voltage to less than 50V nominal within one minute after the capacitor has been discharged. This same requiment can be found in Section 460.6 of the NEC.
Your best bet is to use at least 1K ohm resistor to short the leads for an added safety measure.
Re: capacitors
An old analog voltmeter is the best way to discharge the cap. Plus, you can see if it is discharged.
Bryan:
I believe microwave ovens are the most dangerous appliance to unsuspecting service people. They have a large cap. charged to a high voltage and is capable of delivering a very high current. Don't try shorting it with a screwdriver unless you are wearing arc flash protection.
Also CRT tubes act like capacitors. I don't know how, but they can manage to recharge themselves even after being discharged. They recharge more if they are given the "screwdriver" discharge. It is best to discharge them slowly through a hight voltage meter.
Steve
An old analog voltmeter is the best way to discharge the cap. Plus, you can see if it is discharged.
Bryan:
I don't think that standard would apply to a consumer appliance. It would also be almost impossible to implement for some appliances.
I believe microwave ovens are the most dangerous appliance to unsuspecting service people. They have a large cap. charged to a high voltage and is capable of delivering a very high current. Don't try shorting it with a screwdriver unless you are wearing arc flash protection.
Also CRT tubes act like capacitors. I don't know how, but they can manage to recharge themselves even after being discharged. They recharge more if they are given the "screwdriver" discharge. It is best to discharge them slowly through a hight voltage meter.
Steve
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