Death Cap?

[nickt]

Just noticed the Ceriatone layout features a 0.047uF cap from one or other mains wire to chassis ground (switchable).

Isn't this "ye old cap of death"?

I know this would be completely wrong in Oz - if you had a cap at all it would be *between* the active and neutral with no link to chassis ground.

Am I missing something here?

[fullerplast]

The ground switch is a throwback to the old two prong power cord days when you couldn't be sure what polarity the plug would be. It also was useful in certain applications to reduce noise. Matchless and others used this even on 3 prong amps as late as the early 90's. Electrical code and safety concerns have made it mostly obsolete. Although I've never personally heard of a shorted ground cap, it is a possibility. I'd not bother wiring it in; just use the switch for some other function.

[fullerplast]

double post

[ic-racer]

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