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How to Replace the Capacitors on a Power Board

A power board is an electrical device used to distribute electrical power to a number of devices. It also is known as a power strip or extension lead. Sophisticated power boards have built-in surge protection circuitry to protect the attached devices from sudden spikes in supply voltage. These surge protectors generally have a number of capacitors. In the event of a very large surge or consistent high voltage, one or more of these capacitors can go bad, requiring replacement.

Things You'll Need

Power board
Capacitors to be replaced
Screwdriver
Soldering iron
Solder wire
Copper braid

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew the screws on the back of the power board using a screwdriver. Put the screws in a safe place so that they do not roll away. Pull out the back cover of the power board. This will expose the surge protection circuit board. Use the screwdriver to unscrew all the screws holding the board in place and place the screws in a safe place.
- 2
  Identify the capacitors to be replaced on the surge protection circuit board. Place the board on a flat, dry surface with the component side facing down.
- 3
  Turn the soldering iron on and set it at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 4
  Identify the two pads of one of the capacitors to be replaced on the circuit board. The capacitor pins will be soldered to those pads. Place the copper braid on one of the pads and press it gently with the tip of the soldering iron. The solder on the pad will melt and will be absorbed by the copper braid. Retract the soldering iron tip and the copper braid when all the solder has been absorbed by the braid. Cut off the end of the braid that has absorbed the copper with a wire cutter. Repeat this process to desolder the second capacitor pad. If there are more capacitors to be replaced, desolder their pads, too, using the same procedure.
- 5
  Turn the circuit board over and gently pull out all the capacitors whose pads have been desoldered.
- 6
  Insert the leads of a new capacitor in the corresponding holes on the circuit board. Slightly bend the leads coming out from the other side of the board so that the capacitor does not fall off when the board is turned over for soldering. Repeat this process for all capacitors that need replacing.
- 7
  Place the circuit board on a flat and dry surface with the capacitors facing down.
- 8
  Hold the solder wire on one of the pads corresponding to a new capacitor and touch it with the tip of the soldering iron. The solder will melt and cover the pad and a part of the capacitor's lead. Retract the solder wire and put the soldering iron tip back in its holder. Cut off the excess lead of the capacitor with a wire cutter. Repeat this process to solder all of the new capacitors' leads to their corresponding pads on the board.
- 9
  Place the circuit board back in the power board and insert the screws in their installation holes. Tighten the screws using a screwdriver. Put the cover of the power board back on and insert the installation screws in the holes. Tighten the screws using a screwdriver.

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