The **CE-3.3/250V-RUBYCON** refers to a high-voltage aluminum electrolytic capacitor manufactured by **Rubycon Corporation**, a Japanese company renowned for high-reliability passive components. --- ## 1. Technical Specifications | Parameter | Value / Detail | | :--- | :--- | | **Manufacturer** | Rubycon Corporation | | **Capacitance** | 3.3 µF (Microfarads) | | **Voltage Rating** | 250V DC | | **Type** | Polarized Aluminum Electrolytic | | **Tolerance** | Usually ±20% (Standard for electrolytic caps) | | **Mounting Style** | Through-Hole (Radial leads most common) | --- ## 2. Key Component Characteristics ### A. Capacitance (3.3 µF) This is a relatively small value for an electrolytic capacitor. It is designed for filtering high-frequency noise or for timing applications in high-voltage circuits where large energy storage is not the primary goal. ### B. Voltage Rating (250V) The 250V rating makes this component suitable for: * **Mains Rectification:** Circuits derived from 110V/120V AC lines. * **DC-DC Boost Converters:** Used in power supplies to step up voltage. * **LED Drivers:** Often found in the output stage of lighting power supplies. ### C. The Rubycon Brand Rubycon is considered a "Tier 1" manufacturer. Capacitors from Rubycon are favored in industrial and professional electronics because of: * **Low ESR:** Low Equivalent Series Resistance, which reduces heat generation. * **Longevity:** High-temperature ratings (often 105°C) and long life-hour ratings (2,000 to 10,000 hours). --- ## 3. Physical Identification and Polarity As an electrolytic capacitor, this part is **polarized**: * **Negative Terminal:** Marked by a stripe (usually grey or white) on the side of the casing with "-" symbols. * **Leads:** The shorter lead is the Negative (-) terminal, and the longer lead is the Positive (+) terminal. * **Caution:** Reversing the polarity or exceeding the 250V limit can cause the component to leak, bulge, or explode. --- ## 4. Typical Applications 1. **Switching Power Supplies (SMPS):** Used for snubber circuits or small-scale filtering. 2. **Audio Amplifiers:** High-voltage coupling or decoupling in vacuum tube (valve) amplifiers. 3. **Ballasts:** Electronic ballasts for fluorescent or HID lighting. ---