Can someone send me a link where I can get the .01uf 250V "Y" type safety capacitor that's on the GS Astec 13581 power supply. I can't find them anywhere.
Thanks
Film/paper in oil are usually class X-safety rating. The difference between class X and Y is the failure mode. Class X are likely to fail short, which may cause them to explode but not otherwise pose a shock hazard. They're usually placed across the AC line. Class Y safety caps, on the other hand are likely to fail open. They're usually placed between either or both sides of the AC line and chassis ground. You can see where an X cap in a Y application could create a shock hazard. That's why Y caps are most often ceramic.
The number (1-3) after the X or Y rating relates to the magnitude of a voltage spike they're designed to tolerate. Most consumer gear uses X2 or Y2 caps.
You can (obviously) use a Class Y cap in place of a Class X one; that is across the AC line, but not a Class X in place of a Class Y, because the likely failure mode will be a line-to-chassis short and be dangerous. You'll also note that modern safety caps have safety certification printed with the rating on them.
There are Class XY rated caps; usually rated X1Y1 or X1Y2; they basically look like disc ceramics. e.g.:
There are also 3-legged capacitors with similar ratings--you chassis-ground the center lead with the side leads being connected to the AC line.