Caps

[GatorGnet]

If a schematic calls for a 0.1uf tantalum cap, can it be subed for a ceramic or an electrolytic of the same value?

As far as values go, can you also sub one with a higher uf? eg. 1.0uf with a 10uf

 

[dknguyen]

If a schematic calls for a 0.1uf tantalum cap, can it be subed for a ceramic or an electrolytic of the same value?

As far as values go, can you also sub one with a higher uf? eg. 1.0uf with a 10uf

You can sub in a ceramic of the same value (ceramic would work better actually) but not a necessarily electrolytic (it depends on what the cap's job is). Subbing higher values also depends on what the cap's job is...usually you can get away with it if the cap is a decoupling or bypass cap...but not if the cap is supposed to decouple high frequencies and you substitute a cap in that is much larger (which can't handle high frequencies due to higher parasitics).

 

[Hero999]

You might want to consider using a film capacitor if it's AC coupling but it's probably not worth it, just use a ceramic capacitor.

 

[RCinFLA]

Generally yes but there are some circuits that may not like the low Rs of the ceramic capacitor. Some regulators become unstable if the output cap does not have some series resistance.

 

[Hero999]

They tend to be low drop out regulators that do that.

Tantalums tend to be low ESR too.

If it's a problem just stick a resistor in series with it.