Capacitors marked "NP" can flow in both directions and are called Bi-Polar or Non-Polarized.
Unfortunately most Direct Current "DC" NonPolarized caps are big and don't fit "artfully" into your machine. Notice that these Blue Non-polarized capacitors are much bigger than polarized capacitors.
The over-all physical size is determined by the V (Volt) rating (which is the maximum voltage it can stand without failing) and the storage capacity, mf, the amount it will store. We never run 50 Volts in a machine so a 50 Volt maximum is overkill and unnecessary. Unfortunately DC NPs are not readily available in smaller overall sizes but the polarized type are. The literature indicates that large value Voltage does not adversely effect performance. However, for the tattoo machine you may notice some differences.
For safety, Unimax installs Bi-Polar capacitors in all Unimax Branded standard machines.
It is generally reported that
capacitor failures can be attributed to:
1) Heating, causing a capacitor to swell and explode.
2) Drying of the liquid electrolytic inside from various causes, such as
defects, leaking and even cleaning.
3) Capacitors re-form over time to meet a usual and expected voltage.
Surges that are not normal can cause sudden failure.
4) The older they get the greater the incidence of failure.
Before using a new capacitor run your machine feeling the capacitor for excess heat. "Hot" is excess heat. Capacitors should not feel hot to the touch.
Do not run a tattoo machine if the capacitor feels hot to the touch
or shows a lot of sparking. Replace the capacitor before continuing.
The letters "NP"
printed on the case means "Non-Polarized": the electricity can flow in
either direction. See the top 4 Blue samples.
An arrow printed on
the cover means "Polarized" the electricity must
flow in the
direction of the arrow that is printed on the capacitor body.
Bottom three Green samples.
If electricity flows in the wrong direction (against the arrow) it may heat
up, fail, explode or "pop." Any heat decreases the effectiveness of a
capacitor and can lead to catastrophic failure spewing the contents of
the capacitor all over.
Your power supply has (-) Black and (+) Red output
terminals (and sometimes a ground-green).
Those little electrons flow out the negative(-) and back
into the positive(+). The direction of the electricity is from the
negative to the positive in that direction.
It is important that you orient your clip cord so that the electricity
will flow in the direction of the arrow. But after your clip cord gets all twisted how can you tell which is
which.
Hook up your machine and run it keeping your finger on the capacitor.
If it starts to heat up switch your clip cord around and mark it so that you know
which way it should go.
We have both Polarized and Non-Polarized Capacitors in stock and can fit your new machine with any size or type of capacitor.