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Unread 02-27-2002, 07:20 PM   #2
Mr Evil
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: UK
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'Polarized' means that you can only apply a DC voltage in one direction - the other direction will make it start outgassing (i.e it will die). Almost all electrolytic capacitors and tantalum capacitors are polarized. Make sure you observe the polarity when using them (they will be marked with a + for the positive terminal).

'Radial' and 'axial' refers to the way the leads are attached. Axial leads are one at each end, and radial is both at one end. This has nothing to do with whether or not it is polarized.
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