8 key knowledge points about capacitors: The summary is very comprehensive, save it quickly!

Latest update time：2021-12-22

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Q: Basics of Electronic Components - Capacitors

Capacitors are indispensable components in electronic product design. To help you quickly and correctly select and design capacitors, we have summarized eight capacitor-related knowledge points and reference information below for your reference.

Knowledge point 1: What are the structures and types of capacitors?

The figure below shows a typical capacitor structure: a non-conductive dielectric layer is sandwiched between two layers of metal foil.

The main types of capacitors include: ceramic capacitors , aluminum electrolytic capacitors , aluminum-polymer capacitors , and tantalum capacitors . A comparison of the characteristics of each type is shown in the table below.

* Note: The pictures are for reference only, the colors and styles do not represent the differences between them

Knowledge point 2: How to find capacitance based on parameters?

On the Digi-Key website, using the parameter search function, you can quickly find the right capacitor based on the parameters.

Let’s take an example : for example, if you want to find “ceramic capacitor 2.2uF 0603 16V X5R”, you can directly search in the search bar: ceramic capacitor 2.2uF 0603 16V X5R.

Or, under the Ceramic Capacitors product category, select the appropriate parameter:

Package / Case: 0808 is Imperial: 0.08 inches × 0.05 inches (equivalent to 2012 Metric: 2.0 mm × 1.25 mm). ( SMD Dimensions Metric and Imperial Reference: Standard Package Dimensions for Double-Ended SMDs )
Temperature coefficient: The temperature coefficient of a ceramic capacitor indicates how the capacitance changes with temperature within a certain range.

For a detailed explanation of the temperature coefficient of ceramic capacitors, please refer to this document: Understanding the Temperature Coefficient of Ceramic Capacitors .

Knowledge Point 3: What are the key characteristics and parameters of capacitors?

For an introduction to the key characteristics and parameters of capacitors, please refer to the following technical materials:

Why can I only find μF capacitor values? Why are capacitors labeled as mFd or MFD, but I can only find μF capacitor values?
Ceramic capacitor aging: Ceramic capacitor aging
Capacitor Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR): The equivalent series resistance (ESR) of a capacitor
Effect of temperature changes on MLCC: Effect of temperature changes on MLCC
Voltage Coefficient VCC : What is the voltage coefficient (VCC ) of a capacitor?
Quality factor of capacitors: Quality factor of capacitors in typical applications
Dissipation factor of capacitor: Dissipation factor of capacitor
Capacitor voltage holding characteristics: Capacitor voltage holding characteristics

Knowledge Point 4: How to choose capacitors?

Here are some tips and tricks for selecting capacitors:

How to find a replacement electrolytic capacitor? Find a replacement electrolytic capacitor
How to replace MLCC capacitors with tantalum capacitors: Briefly describe how to replace MLCC capacitors with tantalum capacitors
How to choose crystal oscillator load capacitors: How to choose crystal oscillator load capacitors
How to choose ESD protection capacitors: How to choose ESD protection capacitors
Replace material according to the silk screen account: capacitor NEH-CN7 material replacement

Knowledge Point 5: What are the coding rules for capacitor materials?

Here are some tips on capacitor material coding:

KEMET C-Spec Capacitor Suffix: KEMET C-Spec Capacitor Suffix
ATC ceramic capacitor material number code: ATC ceramic capacitor material number code

Knowledge Point 6: How to perform capacitance test?

We have summarized some methods and precautions related to capacitance testing for your reference:

How to measure the capacitance of MLCC capacitors? How to measure the capacitance of MLCC SMT capacitors?
Why do ceramic capacitors appear to be out of specification when they are not?
How to correctly measure capacitance and dissipation factor? Capacitance measurement
How to test the capacitance of a supercapacitor? Testing Tips | How to measure the capacitance of a supercapacitor?
How to measure supercapacitor leakage current ? : How to measure supercapacitor leakage current ?
X2Y capacitor test method: Illustrated X2Y capacitor test method
Testing high-capacity MLCCs: Testing high-capacity MLCCs

Knowledge Point 7: What skills do you need to master when using capacitors?

Here are some tips and strategies for using capacitors:

Power switch RC snubber design: Power switch RC snubber design
Safety capacitor applications: Safety capacitors suitable for AC power applications
Ripple Current and Insulation Resistance: Capacitor FAQ: Ripple Current and Insulation Resistance
Gallium Nitride (GaN) Capacitor Applications: Kemet Gallium Nitride (GaN) Capacitors in Charger Head Applications Frequently Asked Questions

Knowledge Point 8: How to calculate the key parameters of capacitors?

To quickly calculate key capacitor parameters, we've compiled relevant methods and provide some useful online calculation tools. Check them out!

Design considerations for capacitor ripple current: Design considerations for capacitor ripple current
Calculate capacitor ESR: Calculate capacitor ESR by Tan(δ)
Tools / Online conversion: Online converter
Tools/Capacitance Unit Conversion: Capacitance Conversion
Tools/Series and Parallel Capacitance Calculations: Series and Parallel Capacitor Calculator
Tools/Capacitor Discharge Calculations: Capacitor Safe Discharge Calculator
Tools/Capacitance time constant calculation: Time constant calculator

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