How to Read Capacitor Value Codes
This project uses several different kinds of capacitors. Some of these 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
the various circuit requirements for your project.
Cornell-Dubilier Silver Mica
– high quality / high accuracy picofarad cap
1st line:
250 +/- %5 = direct value in pfd (250pfd); tolerance 5%
2nd line:
500V SM
= voltage rating (500V); batch code
Sprague “Orange Drop” 715 series
– Vintage style rolled film & foil
polypropylene capacitor, radial leads.
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
Xicon MPP
– Warm tone, small size, metalized polypropylene capacitor.
Similar construction style to Orange Drop 716 series capacitors.
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 Film and Foil
– Vintage style rolled film & foil polypropylene
capacitor, axial leads.
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
28 TubeDepot.com
