RIFA PME271M547 replacement

Question

I just broke my sewing machine (it's an old Viktoria machine about 30-40 years old) and now I am looking for a replacement safety capacitor. The one installed is a RIFA PME 271 M 547 paper capacitor.

I have looked online and found a replacement on ebay RIFA KONDENSATOR 275V~ SH 47n X2 PME271M 40/100/56/C or this one EVOX RIFA - PME271M547M - CAPACITOR, CLASS X2, 0.047UF.

My problem is, that the old Capacitor has a different number sequence.

It's a bit hard to see but it reads 40/065/56 while all capacitors I found had 40/100/56. I tried to find out the meaning of this values but could not find an answer.

Questions:

• Is it ok to buy the capacitors I found?
• What do these numbers mean?

Any answer is appreciated

Answer 1

I would not be replacing a failed RIFA cap with an Ebay example of the same part of unknown age.

These old parts are notorious for failing in a cloud of foul smelling smoke, generally 30+ years after being made, basically the housing cracks, moisture gets in and it all goes sideways.

The original is a 47nF 250V Class X2 cap.

Farnell have R463F247050N0K for less then your ebay part, that is coming from a proper distributor and will be of recent manufacture.

Basically the important things for a cap in this role are that it be class X2, and rated for at least 250V, capacitance is not that critical.

Answer 2

The ‘new’ Evox Rifa are made by Kemet, but kept the Rifa brand name. Just because a eBay listing says Evox Rifa, don’t presume they are old stock. Rifa is a EU high quality made capacitor. They are pricey because of their quality. These capacitors can last well over 40 years.

Answer 3

Search for PME271M547 by Farnell or other supplier.

Ref: RIFA GPC PME271M547 0.047 µF fo=7.0 MHz 250V

It is quite easy to find.

If used for interference suppression could (verify before!) be replaced by 0.047 µF / 100 Ω 600V~