Sangamo Capacitors — Original Mica & Oil-Filled Stock
Sangamo Electric became part of Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE). Specap stocks original Sangamo mica and oil-filled capacitors and provides cross-reference matching to current CDE equivalents for industrial and military maintenance requirements.
Sangamo Mica Capacitors
Access to original Sangamo silver mica capacitors prized for precision, stability, and low-loss performance.
Oil-Filled Power Capacitors
Legacy Sangamo oil-filled capacitors for power systems, industrial equipment, and high-reliability applications.
CDE Equivalent Cross-Reference
Spec-based matching from Sangamo part numbers to current Cornell Dubilier replacements with verified compatibility.
Industrial Legacy Support
Specialized procurement for industrial and military maintenance programs requiring discontinued Sangamo components.
The History of Sangamo Electric Company
Sangamo Electric Company was founded in 1899 in Springfield, Illinois, originally manufacturing electricity meters for utilities. Over the decades, Sangamo expanded into capacitor manufacturing, becoming one of the premier American producers of mica capacitors, oil-filled capacitors, and precision timing devices.
Sangamo's silver mica capacitors became legendary for their exceptional stability, tight tolerances, and low-loss characteristics — making them the preferred choice for RF circuits, precision oscillators, military communications equipment, and high-frequency applications where stability over temperature is critical.
The capacitor division eventually merged with Cornell Dubilier to form SangamoCDE, which later became part of Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE). While original Sangamo-branded capacitors are no longer manufactured, many of the product lines continue under the CDE brand with updated specifications.
Popular Sangamo Capacitor Series
| Series | Type | Common Applications | Modern Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 5 / Type G | Silver Mica | RF circuits, precision oscillators, filters | CDE CD / CMR series |
| Type M | Molded Mica | Military transmitters, high-frequency tuning | CDE MC series / Custom sourcing |
| Type PCA / PCM | Oil-Filled Paper | Power utility substations, transformers | CDE PPC / ABB power capacitors |
| Type DCM | DC Oil-Filled | High-voltage DC filtering, pulse power | CDE 942C / General Atomics |
| Type SC | Transmitting Mica | Broadcasting, RF power amplifiers | CDE HT series / NOS sourcing |
Why Sangamo Mica Capacitors Are Still in Demand
Silver mica capacitors offer characteristics that no other dielectric can fully replicate:
- Temperature stability — Mica capacitors maintain their capacitance value across extreme temperature ranges, making them essential in precision measurement and calibration equipment.
- Tight tolerances — Sangamo mica capacitors were available in 1% and 2% tolerance grades, critical for tuned circuits and frequency-sensitive applications.
- Low ESR and low loss — The natural properties of mica as a dielectric provide exceptionally low equivalent series resistance and dissipation factor at high frequencies.
- Long-term stability — Unlike electrolytic or ceramic capacitors, mica capacitors do not degrade significantly over time, making original Sangamo parts still functional after 40+ years.
Industries That Need Sangamo Capacitors
- Military & defense — Legacy military communications and radar systems specified Sangamo mica capacitors in their original BOMs. MIL-SPEC maintenance often requires exact or approved-equivalent replacements.
- Broadcasting & telecommunications — Vintage broadcast transmitters and RF amplifier equipment used Sangamo transmitting mica capacitors that are difficult to substitute with modern alternatives.
- Test & measurement — Precision instrumentation and calibration equipment relies on the stability of mica capacitors for accurate measurements.
- Power utilities — Sangamo oil-filled capacitors installed in substation power factor correction banks may need replacement as part of infrastructure maintenance programs.
- Amateur radio — Ham radio operators restoring vintage tube-based transmitters often seek original Sangamo mica capacitors for RF tank circuits.
Why Source Sangamo Capacitors from Specap?
Specap has been sourcing obsolete and hard-to-find capacitors for over 40 years, with particular expertise in legacy mica and specialty capacitors:
- Existing inventory of NOS Sangamo mica and oil-filled capacitors
- Global sourcing network for discontinued and military-spec components
- Expert cross-reference to CDE, Vishay, and other current mica capacitor manufacturers
- Full electrical testing including capacitance, dissipation factor, and insulation resistance verification
- Documentation support for MIL-SPEC and traceability requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Sangamo capacitors still made?
No. Sangamo Electric became SangamoCDE and was eventually absorbed into Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE). Specap stocks original Sangamo parts and provides CDE cross-reference replacements.
What happened to Sangamo Electric?
Sangamo Electric Company merged with CDE to form SangamoCDE, which later became part of Cornell Dubilier Electronics. The Sangamo brand is known for high-quality mica and oil-filled capacitors used in industrial and military applications.
Where can I find Sangamo mica capacitor replacements?
Specap provides cross-reference matching from Sangamo part numbers to current CDE equivalents. We also maintain original Sangamo mica capacitor stock for legacy equipment maintenance.
Can you source Sangamo oil-filled capacitors?
Yes. We maintain access to remaining Sangamo oil-filled capacitor inventory and provide equivalent sourcing from CDE and other qualified manufacturers for power and industrial applications.
Related Sourcing Paths
Use these pages to find replacements, request quotes, and source legacy capacitors.