Sinclair Spectrum

The famous ZX Spectrum from Sinclair Research introduced in 1982

For more information, see this article's corresponding Wikipedia page: ZX Spectrum.

This device is in the WorkNeeded:General category because it was flagged as missing general information about the device. The information may be incomplete, using default text, or inaccurate and should be verified with external sources if possible. If you can add or correct information on this page, please feel free to edit it and do so.

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

Known Issues

Symptom or Problem Encountered

Causes

• Description of cause

Solutions

• Solution to the problem

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,C44,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, C44, 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, C44, 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

Replacement Axial Capacitors

RefDes	Qty	Compatible Part Number	Order Links
C25, C28, C34, C47, C50, C65	6	MAL203036229E3	Digikey Mouser
C27, C46	2	105TTA050M	DigiKey Mouser
C44, C45	2	107BPA016M	DigiKey Mouser
C74	1	475TTA050M	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.