Mic Mute switch - Can I use polarized caps?

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elskardio

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 29, 2010
Messages
660
Location
Montreal - Canada
Hi, I want to build the following mute switch but only have 1000uF polarized caps...
Will it works or I absolutely need non-polarized?
Thanks
dfkgsn.png
 
elskardio said:
The mute switch is for a Condenser microphone with Phantom Power. If I remove the caps a big "POP" will be heard everytime...

Have you actually tried this?  Pins 2 and 3 should be at the same dc voltage so there should be no click. You could put a high values resistor across the switch to ensure the dc voltages are the same. This should eliminate any click.

Cheers

Ian
 
The fact that is produces a loud 'pop', means that there is a differential voltage between the signal lines.
Try to measure the correct polarity and use the 1000 uF capacitor!
 
If all components (the two resistors in series with the phantom power supply, analogous resistors and transistors in the mic) are matched to within 0.01%, the voltages will be very close, within a few millivolts, and the "pop" caused by shorting the two lines will be mild, compared to that in real equipment made of affordable components.

I can't imagine what the 10k and 0.1 cap are for. They shouldn't hurt anything, but I'd take them out.

Take that 10k I said to take out and put it across the switch, It'll work fine.

A regular polarized electrolytic is probably okay here, as in normal operation the difference between the lines shouldn't be more than a volt or so. If you're worried (and it's possible with phantom power on for one side to be connected and the other not while plugging in and unplugging, or using a badly-wired mic), use two caps with their "-" ends connected together. If you're VERY worried, also put a 1n4148 across each cap with the band end connected to [edited, because I thought about it!] the cap's "+" side, so neither cap ever sees more than 1/2 volt of reverse voltage.
 

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