1. Make sure that terminal spacing of the capacitor equals the hole spacing on the PC board before installing the capacitor.

2. Do not allow the body of a capacitor to stand off the PC board. Mount capacitors flush to the PC board surface.

3. Do not apply excessive force to capacitor lead wires when clinching lead wires to a PC board with an automatic insertion machine.

4. Avoid excessive vibration and mechanical shock when mounting capacitors with automatic insertion or mounting machines.

1. If the terminal spacing of a capacitor does not match the hole spacing on the PC board, installation may cause mechanical stress to the terminals and internal connections of the capacitor. The resulting damage may cause a short circuit.

If necessary, pre-form the terminals to match the holes on the PC board. To avoid mechanical stress when pre-forming terminals, firmly hold each lead wire where it joins the capacitor body and bend from the other end. Upon request capacitors with pre-formed leads are available from United Chemi-Con.

2. If vibration or mechanical shock is applied to a capacitor that is not flush mounted to the PC board, the mechanical stress as well as the body weight may break the terminals. Also, mechanical stress may cause the copper lands which are connected to the terminals to break away from the PC board. When installing snap-in capacitors on a PC board, insert the terminals into the holes and press the capacitor down until it is flush with the surface of the PC board.

3. Adjust the clinch unit of an automatic insertion machine to prevent excessive pull force on the lead wires of a capacitor. If clearance between the clinch unit and PC board surface is too narrow or if clinch blades are nicked, lead wires will be forcibly damaged and destroy the capacitor.

4. When a high speed automatic insertion or mounting machine is used for the assembly process, the assembly board is exposed to extreme vibration, as well as up-and-down shock due to the component checker and, for surface mount components, a side-to-side shock from the centering operation. If vibration and mechanical shock are excessive, the capacitor body may be deformed and cause other mechanical damage.

When an automatic insertion machine is used, excessive pressure on the body of a capacitor will deform the capacitor and crack the vent, if any. The picker of an automatic insertion machine will deform the aluminum can of the capacitor and crack the vent as well, if the pressure is too great.