awesome exploding capacitor

[Cymro32]

I liked your reaction to the explosion :P

[it1345]

cool...

[myx1997]

probably the reason why reverse-polarized capacitors explode is because they store energy and let it out- if it stores + THEN YOU REVERSE POLARIZED IT TO - BOOM!!!

[bfeely]

Actually, the problem is that if reversed, the aluminum oxide dielectric will dissolve, shorting out the capacitor.

[superninjaworm]

@ bfeely and myx1997

Actually, the cause of the explosion is the dielectric breaking down and burning and creating heat and gas. The pressure builds until the capacitor blows up. This is why the larger caps have a weak section stamped into the metal at the top of the cap, to encourage the cap to burst in a safer manner should a problem occur. Hope this helps....

[superninjaworm]

P.S - there is no shorting involved

[Amishman35]

That one had grace and power! You probably already know to not use the ones which have a breakaway top.

[ELijahKan10]

i did the same thing except i used a 22v dc wall outlet transformer and just shorted it.