are polarized and non-polarized caps interchangeable?

[AC128]

for exsample: can I use WIMA/Orange Drops/Mallory film caps instead of electrolytic caps?

yes, I really don't know this stuff...

[fuzz/volume-full]

Yes but you need to use the same value (unless changing the value is part of a mod) and if your changing too a polarized cap instead of a non-polarized cap you'll need to figure out which way it goes, but switching the other way round is easy just shove the cap you want into where the electrolytic cap was

[jfrey]

More info:
http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/Caps/

[eatyourguitar]

the short answer is yes and no. I dont worry about swapping polar for non-polar and vice versa. parts are $0.01 to $0.40 so just buy what you need.

[McSpunckle]

Yep. Electrolytic caps are only polarized because their construction requires one side to be more positive than the other (otherwise they break). So, if you're switching from non-polarized to polarized, you have to make sure the positive side of the cap is more positive than the other. That's pretty easy to figure out, generally.

But if you switch to a non-polar cap... you don't have to worry about anything.

BTW, Mammoth sells these really nice Nichicon non-polarized electrolytic caps. They're a bit expensive, so if you're buying a lot, you'll wanna find them at Mouser instead (not in the catalog, but they sell 'em).

[AC128]

thanks guys!
very helpful!