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How to Determine the Polarity of Xicon Capacitors

Xicon capacitors are electrical components that are manufactured by Xicon Passive Components. These capacitors are identical to other electrolytic and dielectric capacitors; as such, Xicon capacitors follow the same identification conventions as similar capacitors manufactured by other companies. When attempting to determine the polarity of a Xicon capacitor, it is necessary to look for one of two industry-standard identification markings on the capacitor itself. Which marking is present depends upon the capacitor package; axial capacitors will contain one marking, while radial capacitors will contain the other.

Things You'll Need

Xicon polarized capacitor
Ruler

Instructions

Radial Capacitors
- 1
  Hold the capacitor so that the leads are facing towards you.
- 2
  Measure the capacitor leads.
- 3
  Bend the shorter lead gently towards the capacitor body. The bent capacitor lead is the negative capacitor lead.
Axial Capacitors
- 4
  Hold the capacitor by one of the leads.
- 5
  Turn the capacitor by its lead until you see a printed arrow on the capacitor case pointing to one of the leads; bend this lead toward the capacitor case.
- 6
  Examine the arrow that is printed on the capacitor case. If the arrow contains a "-" symbol printed inside the arrow body, the bent capacitor lead is the negative lead; if the arrow contains a printed "+" symbol, the bent capacitor lead is the positive lead.

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