How to Read Capacitor Types and Values
Some capacitors have their values and voltage ratings printed on them, others use
numerical codes. The diagrams below will assist you in locating and identifying capacitor
values, tolerances, and voltage ratings for various components.
62 TubeDepot.com
Sprague “Orange Drop” 715 and 716 series
– Vintage style film & foil
polypropylene capacitor. Very accurate; good for HiFi use.
1st line:
715P600V
= 715 series; rated at 600V
2nd line:
104J 0821 = value in pfd (104 = 10 and 4 zeros pfd);
tolerance (J = +/- 5%); batch code
104 = .1ufd
103 = .01ufd
223 = .022ufd
473 = .047ufd
102 = .001ufd
222 = .0022ufd
472 = .0047ufd
Silver Mica
– high quality / high accuracy; small values
1st line:
250 +/- %5
= direct value in pfd (250pfd); tolerance 5%
2nd line:
500V SM
= voltage rating (500V); batch code
Metalized Polypropylene
– Warm tone, small size
1st line:
F104K d
= value in pfd (104 = 10 and 4 zeros pfd);
tolerance (K = +/- 10%)
2nd line:
630MPP 1
= voltage rating (630V);
construction (MPP = metalized polypropylene)
104 = .1ufd
103 = .01ufd
223 = .022ufd
473 = .047ufd
102 = .001ufd
222 = .0022ufd
472 = .0047ufd
Sozo Polyester Film and foil / Mallory 150 Metalized
Polypropylene Film
– Vintage style film capacitors, axial
leads. Accurate tone, clear.
1st line:
684K = value in pfd (684 = 68 and 4 zeros pfd);
tolerance (K = +/- 10%)
2nd line:
160V = voltage rating (160V)
3rd line:
0834R = batch / date code
104 = .1ufd
684 = .68ufd
103 = .01ufd
223 = .022ufd
473 = .047ufd
102 = .001ufd
222 = .0022ufd
472 = .0047ufd
