10 volt Tant caps

[javacody]

Can I safely run 10 volt Tant caps at 12 volts? Is the 10 volt rating conservative?

[smoguzbenjamin]

It says 10v because that's the limit put 12v over them and they'll fry.

[Peter Snowberg]

Most ratings are conservative until the marketing department gets a hold of them.

The voltage rating on tantalums is one parameter I would not push; User 16 volt caps at the lowest for 12V applications. Also beware that they don't like reverse bias at all.

Take care,
-Peter