capacitor replacement for a motherboard

[wescotte]

Through abit of carelessness I knocked what I believe is a capacitor off of my motherboard. Labeled on it is
100
10s
op4

I was wondering if anyone would be able to determine by the above information what exactly I need and where it could be found? If it helps it is aprox 1/4 inch in diameter and 1/4 inch high. I was also told by people who know abit more about capacitors that although motherboards have multiple layers that there is a good chance I can solder a replacement on.

Thanks

Eric

 

[CTho9305]

probably a cap, yes. I have replaced 16 caps on a mobo (all had exploded). usually you will see "xyz pF" or uF... does it say that anywhere? it should also have a voltage rating "x.y V". you can solder in another cap that has the same capacitance and an equal or higher voltage rating.

 

[wescotte]

>>probably a cap, yes. I have replaced 16 caps on a mobo (all had exploded). usually you will see "xyz pF" or uF... does it say that >>anywhere? it should also have a voltage rating "x.y V". you can solder in another cap that has the same capacitance and an equal or >>higher voltage rating.

No, unfortunately it has no xyz pF or uf.. All it has are three lines of information which I listed.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

100 uF
10V

Oddly enough we use some caps similar to what you described with the markings:
100
16S
OPN

And they're 100uF 16V caps.

 

[wescotte]

<< 100 uF
10V

Oddly enough we use some caps similar to what you described with the markings:
100
16S
OPN

And they're 100uF 16V caps. >>



Another responce elsewhere said
100uf 10 volt surface mount
Just wondering what the op4/opn means? that how he determined surface mount?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The marking style indicated that it was most likely surface mount. And the OP4/OPN is most likely a dielectric type. (generally not important). Ceramic caps often have dielectrics stated as "Y5V", "X7R", "NPO", "COG", and "Z5U". I haven't had to look too hard into electrolytics though, and tantalums are probably similar.

 

[wescotte]

<< The marking style indicated that it was most likely surface mount. And the OP4/OPN is most likely a dielectric type. (generally not important). Ceramic caps often have dielectrics stated as "Y5V", "X7R", "NPO", "COG", and "Z5U". I haven't had to look too hard into electrolytics though, and tantalums are probably similar. >>



I'm far from an expert on capacitors could you explain in abit more detail what dieletric type means? As far as being used on a motherboar d is this incredibly important? Anything more likely used for this particular case?

Thanks for all your help thus far

Eric

 

[Demon-Xanth]

In our use the dielectric is important in ceramics, then electrolytic and tantalum are all lumped in two other groups. But basically the dielectric determines the temperature stability, precision, and has a strong influence on the equivilent series resistance and inherant inductance. It's a whole different lesson that you'll have to do a few searches on when you get some time and are feeling like you have a sizable attention span (often mine gets pretty short)

Most likely, it's not important in your case, the cap I have would probably work fine, just measure out the size. Capacitors are usually measured in either hundredths of an inch (0805) or tenths of millimeters (3225) with the first two digits being the length and the second two being the width. Make sure the capacitance is the same, and the voltage is either the same or higher.

 

[wescotte]

Well I'm pretty sure i need a 100uf 10 volt surface mount. Now I just need to know a good place to buy them at. If you know any big chain stores that may stock them like a radioshack or something? Or maybe a decent place online?

Thanks again

Eric

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Digikey
Mouser

 

[CTho9305]

I thought SMD caps were tiny, like 1mm*2mm, rectangular, and brown, rather than 1/4th inch cylinders...

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Those were probably 0805 ceramic caps. They don't have the capacity of the electrolytics like he requires.

 

[wescotte]

I'm still abit confused as to what exactly I'm looking for.
here is a link to a simple little drawing i did of it. Maybe this would help determine exactly what it is?

Image of capacitor

Thanks
Eric

 

[Tiger]

If it's an electrolytic cap it will have polarity marks on it somewhere.
Make sure you get it right.