I have a circuit that has filter caps, like 2x 2200uf on the input to a 12V regulator. The output goes to a 1uf tantalum. It was DEAD shorted. I replaced with a standard electrolytic... worked fine. But I wonder about why it was tantalum. was rated at 16V 10uf. So if the DC whet over 16 briefly it should OPEN or explode/short. Just curious if others have an opinion. I know they are suppose to have superior rejection of RF noise and the like....This is a lighting control circuit (for dimming using 10V rails).
If I understand correctly the 1uF tantalum is placed at the output of the 12V regulator.
How far away from the regulator is this tantalum cap placed?
If indeed on the output,
the way you "fixed" the board is wrong.
i.e. you degraded the regulated 12V voltage of the circuit.
It may work,like you have noticed, but not the way the designer of that circuit intended ...
The problem is with the ESR of the Electrolytic relative to the Tantalum one.
The 12v regulated voltage may show "fast drops" (noticeable with a fast o-scope) when the circuit it feed's "switches states" and that can potentially cause circuit malfunction.
What devices are on that circuit anyways?