# Replacing Tantalum capacitor?

I'm going to make a PIC programmer, so currently I'm acquiring parts that I'll need. And here's the one part that I can't get:

C2 - 22uF / 16V tantalum or 47uf / 6.3V tantalum
This is a high speed capacitor and should be a tantalum type.


That's what it says in the tutorial.

So my question is: Can I replace this tantalum capacitor with $22\mu F$ / higher voltage or $47\mu F/ 10V$ or something like this? I'm confused because in tutorial they are using $47\mu F/6.3V$ as replacement ...

How do I know how many farads I need ?

Thanks

• The capacitance of a "filter" capacitor is usually fairly non critical. A factor of 2 in value is unlikely to be relevant. Capacitors in some cases can have tolerances of +100% / -50% (wet aluminium electrolytic) but may be +/-5% or 10% or 20% for Tantalum. Warning: NEVER use tantalum capacitors in a "high energy" circuit where voltage can EVER exceed the voltage rating of the capacitor. Even the shortest spike (sub microsecond) can puncture the oxide layer and "away it goes". Almost as much fun as a LiIon battery!. – Russell McMahon Jul 15 '11 at 14:36
• – Kellenjb Jul 15 '11 at 16:01
• electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/15875/… – Kellenjb Jul 15 '11 at 16:04
• electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/14248/… – Kellenjb Jul 15 '11 at 16:04
• electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/13091/… – Kellenjb Jul 15 '11 at 16:05

I would guess that $22\mu F$ is the minimum capacitance that the application can use.
Part characteristics can differ as their voltage rating increases, so be careful not to go 'too' high. (Don't put a 100V capacitor where there once was a 16V part). I would wager that if you can get something between $22 \mu F$ and $47 \mu F$ in 25V, you'll be fine.
You may also be able to use multilayer ceramic capacitors in parallel to get $22\mu F$ - just don't use electrolytic. Electrolytic capacitors are not 'high speed' due to their intrinsic parasitic characteristics.