> Tantalums are NOT generally recommended for power supply or bypass
> applications. If you must use them, they should be greatly derated in
> voltage, but IMHO, it's best to avoid them entirely in such applications.

Agree.
Tantalum make excellent decoupling capacitors ****PROVIDED*** that you can 
absolutely guarantee that their voltage rating is not exceeded by even the 
shortest duration voltage spike. Almost always you can't. When they do fail 
they do it really really well. Some or all of smoke, smell, noise, smoke, 
explosion, flame. And they often short to a very very solid short. Best 
avoided.

        RM

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