A leaky capacitor has the effect of a large rated capacitor that leaks and keeps the circuit from working properly. In most cases, you can over rate a capacitor and get away with it. If you double the voltage value of the capacitor but keep the supply voltage low you might want to also double the Farad value.
Voltage Rating: Every capacitor has a voltage rating. That's the maximum voltage it can take. If you pick a capacitor with too low a voltage rating, it'll blow up. Tolerance: Tolerance is how much the actual capacitance can be different from the number on the package. For precise applications, a low-tolerance capacitor is necessary.
Is it safe to replace a capacitor with a higher voltage?
Replacing a capacitor with something that has a higher voltage rating is always safe. The only problem there is that a capacitor rated for a higher voltage is often physically larger, everything else being equal. Make sure they actually fit in the same space. Sometimes it is also safe to use capacitors with a larger capacitance (Farads).
Is there a downside to using capacitors with higher rated voltage?
If you use capacitors rated for higher voltage, these are often in bigger can sizes, which means lower ESR, so in some situations the ESR may drop below some safe threshold and then the linear regulator may become unstable. Re: Is there any downside to using capacitors with higher rated voltage?
Plus there is no electrical advantage to using lower voltage caps. OTOH, electrolytic capacitors depend on some good percentage of their voltage rating to develop the capacitance rating.
What happens if a capacitor reaches a higher voltage?
Q=CV so, if capacitance remains constant and you raise the voltage, the charge must increase. Connecting a capacitor to a voltage that exceeds its ratings is asking for a puff of smoke or maybe even some fireworks.
Should I go double the voltage of my electrolytic capacitor?
It was once recommended to use electrolytic capacitors with a voltage rating higher than double the expected highest voltage. However, as you approach the capacitor's rated voltage, the leakage current increases significantly. Instead, it's recommended to select a capacitor with a voltage rating around 20% higher than expected.