For more information, see this article's corresponding Wikipedia page: ZX Spectrum . The ZX Spectrum from Sinclair Research was introduced in 1982 and sold up until 1992, becoming the bestselling home computer in the UK until it lost its title to the Raspberry Pi. It is based on a Zilog Z80A 8-bit microprocessor and came with 16 or 48 KB of RAM. It could produce 15 different colors at a resolution of 256×192.
Sinclair Spectrum
Preliminary Information
Release Year 1982
Leak Risk Medium
Batteries None
Mounting Technology Through Hole, Sockets
Capacitor Types Aluminum Electrolytic, Ceramic, Polymer
Destructive Entry No
Hardware Specifications
CPU
Z80A
Memory Capacity
16-48 kB
Graphics
15 colors, 256×192
Known Issues Symptom or Problem Encountered Causes Solutions Disassembly Notes A Spectrum 48K is easy to disassemble:
Remove the five screws from the back. Carefully open the case then lift the front edge you will see the keyboard connections to the motherboard, ease these connections out because they are easily damaged. Note that if the Keyboard is the original it is likely to be non-functional.
Original Parts Spectrum motherboard Issue 2. Sinclair Spectrum issue 2 motherboard capacitors Note the reversed polarity on the silk screen for capacitor C46.
Capacitor Specifications and Footprint Information
Qty
Capacitance
Voltage
Mount
Diameter/Size
Height
Temp
Type
Brand
Series
C25,C28,C34,C47,C50,C65
6
22 µF
16 V
Axial
4.8 mm Dia.
12 mm
85 °C
Aluminum Electrolytic
Gelec
C27,C46
2
1 µF
50 V
Axial
4.8 mm Dia.
12 mm
85 °C
Aluminum Electrolytic
Gelec
C44,C45
2
100 µF
16 V
Axial
6.5 mm Dia.
16 mm
85 °C
Aluminum Electrolytic
Gelec
Replacement Parts Spectrum motherboard Issue 2
Replacement Radial Capacitors
RefDes
Qty
Compatible Part Number
Order Links
C25, C28, C34, C47, C50, C65
6
860020372002 / 50YXF22MEFCTA5X11
Digikey Mouser LCSC
C27, C46
2
860020672005 / 50YXF1MEFCTA5X11
DigiKey Mouser LCSC
C44, C45
2
860010372006 / 16PX100MEFC5X11
DigiKey Mouser LCSC
Replacement Axial Capacitors
RefDes
Qty
Compatible Part Number
Order Links
C25, C28, C34, C47, C50, C65
6
MAL213835229E3
Digikey Mouser
C27, C46
2
105TTA050M
DigiKey Mouser
C44, C45
2
107BPA016M
DigiKey Mouser
If parts are not available or different selection is preferred, you can use the values in the Original Parts section to perform a parametric search.
Original Parts Spectrum motherboard Issue 3 Sinclair Spectrum issue 3 motherboard capacitors
Capacitor Specifications and Footprint Information
RefDes
Qty
Capacitance
Voltage
Mount
Diameter/Size
Height
Temp
Type
Brand
Series
C25,C28,C34,C47,C50,C65
6
22 µF
25 V
Axial
4.8mm
12 mm
85 °C
Aluminum Electrolytic
Philips
C27,C46
2
1 µF
50 V
Axial
4.8 mm Dia.
12 mm
85 °C
Aluminum Electrolytic
Gelec
C44,C45
2
100 µF
16 V
Axial
6.5 mm Dia.
16 mm
85 °C
Aluminum Electrolytic
Gelec
C74
1
4.7 µF
50 V
Axial
4.8 mm Dia.
12 mm
85 °C
Aluminum Electrolytic
Philips
Replacement Parts Spectrum motherboard Issue 3
Replacement Radial Capacitors
RefDes
Qty
Compatible Part Number
Order Links
C25, C28, C34, C47, C50, C65
6
860010472003 / 50YXF22MEFCTA5X11
Digikey Mouser LCSC
C27, C46
2
860020672005 / 50YXF1MEFCTA5X11
DigiKey Mouser LCSC
C44, C45
2
860010372006 / 16PX100MEFC5X11
DigiKey Mouser LCSC
C74
1
860020672008 / 50PX4R7MEFC5X11
DigiKey Mouser LCSC
If parts are not available or different selection is preferred, you can use the values in the Original Parts section to perform a parametric search.
References 
