We have mounted millions of tantalums, few popcorns. If you apply:
1. half maximum voltage
2. series resistor
3. controlled inrush current
4. always below +85 Centigrades
5. bake before soldering
6. 1 st switch on use slow voltage ramp up
then they will last "for ever" !

When tantalums explode, the reason is oftenly a less good design.

For many tough condition power supplies, we have changed to ceramic
multilayer caps.

Inge


----- Original Message -----
From: "John Foster" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, September 08, 2006 12:49 AM
Subject: [TN] Tantalum Caps


> Can Tantalum Caps suffer from popcorning?
>
> Can tant caps absorb enough moisture to cause this type of effect.
>
> We just built some new boards and we have one particular part number tant
> that is shorting
> out left and right.
>
> any input will be appreciated thanks
>
> John Foster
>
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