Capacitor Review Q1 - 2011
Capacitor Review Q1 - 2011
Ceramic (MLCCs) dominate lower range of capacitance values (0.5pF ~ 10uF)
High Capacitance X5R MLCCs (Cap 10uF ~ 100uF)
Film capacitors cover moderate cap range with increasing sizes with capacitance & voltage rating
Tantalum capacitors cover 0.1uF up to 1000uF in low VDC ratings
Aluminum E-Caps cover wide capacitance value range and supports higher VDC ratings.
Double layer capacitors (Farad values) in use for back-up and short term power applications
Ceramic (MLCCs) dominate lower range of capacitance values (0.5pF ~ 10uF)
High Capacitance X5R MLCCs (Cap 10uF ~ 100uF)
Film capacitors cover moderate cap range with increasing sizes with capacitance & voltage rating
Tantalum capacitors cover 0.1uF up to 1000uF in low VDC ratings
Aluminum E-Caps cover wide capacitance value range and supports higher VDC ratings.
Double layer capacitors (Farad values) in use for back-up and short term power applications
Capacitance Offering by TechnologyCapacitance Offering by Technology
1.0uF ~ 1000uF Common SMT Requirements1.0uF ~ 1000uF Common SMT Requirements
Capacitance Voltage Range Comparison - SMT Capacitors (1uF ~ 2200uF / 2.5VDC ~ 100VDC ) Voltage
100VDC
80VDC ↑ ↑
63VDC
50VDC
35VDC
25VDC
16VDC
12.5VDC ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
10VDC
8VDC ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
6.3VDC
4VDC ↑
2.5VDC ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
Capacitance 1.0uF 2.2uF 3.3uF 4.7uF 10uF 22uF 33uF 47uF 100uF 150uF 220uF 330uF 470uF 1000uF 2200uF
Icon Type Format Component Image
Tantalum Electrolytic SMT Flat Chip
Ceramic Chip - MLCC SMT Flat Chip
Aluminum Electrolytic SMT V-Chip
Solid Aluminum Electrolytic SMT Flat Chip
1uF ~ 2200uF / 2.5VDC ~ 100VDC1uF ~ 2200uF / 2.5VDC ~ 100VDCSMT Capacitor Offering by TechnologySMT Capacitor Offering by Technology
Use NIC QuickBUILDER Tool to easily select & compare capacitors
www.niccomp.com/quickbuilder/qb_capacitor.php
Use NIC QuickBUILDER Tool to easily select & compare capacitors
www.niccomp.com/quickbuilder/qb_capacitor.php
Lowest Cost High WVDC Stability Over Voltage Higher ESR Wear-out (time & temperature) Tallest – Largest Size
SMT V-Chip Aluminum Electrolytic SMT Tantalum
Electrolytic
SMT Flat-Chip Solid
Aluminum Electrolytic
SMT MLCC
Ceramic
Small Size Stability Over Voltage Stable over Time Higher Cost Shorting Failure Mode
Smallest Foot Print Non-Polarized Lowest ESR
Unstable over Voltage (VDC) Unstable over Time (Aging) Cracking = Short Failure Mode Higher Cost – High CV
Low ESR - High RCR Stability Over Voltage Stable over Time Higher Cost Shorting Failure Mode
SMT MLCC CeramicSMT Flat-Chip Solid Aluminum Electrolytic
SMT Tantalum Electrolytic
SMT V-Chip Aluminum Electrolytic
SMT Capacitor Technology ComparisonSMT Capacitor Technology Comparison
CapacitorType
Derating Advantage Weakness
Voltage Temp Pros Cons
Ceramic None None
Non-Polarized Small Size Transient Resistant Low Cost
Large Voltage Coefficient & Aging (X7R, X5R, Y5V)
Limited cap range Short failure mode (Typ)
Film None None Non-Polarized Transient Resistant Stability: Voltage & Temp
Large Size Higher Cost Limited Soldering Heat
Aluminum Electrolytic
None None
High Cap & High VDC Surge VDC Resistant Self Healing Open failure mode (Typ) Low Cost Stability: Voltage
Polarized Limited Lifetime Large Size
Tantalum Electrolytic
Yes Yes Long Lifetime Small Sizes Stability: Voltage & Temp
Polarized Low VDC Limited surge resistance Short failure mode (Typ)
Capacitor Technology ComparisonCapacitor Technology Comparison
CapacitorType
Sweet Spots Reasons ApplicationsNot suggestedWhere most commonly used Why preferred
Ceramic
Capacitance values up to 10uFCoupling, filtering and bypass High Voltage (low cap values)High Frequency (low ESL)Small hand-held DC-DC
Lowest Cost(C<10uF)
Lowest ESLLow ESRSmallest size
AC Line (Limited to safety agency certified versions)
X7R, X5R & Y5V: Circuits requiring stability over VDC, temp or time A to D conversion Audiophile, Test & Inst
Film
High power applicationsAC LineMotor startImpedance matching A to D conversionAudiophile, Test & Inst
High power capabilitiesSelf healing of metallized types
Cost factor prohibits use of film capacitors from use in many applications
Aluminum Electrolytic
Capacitance values above 1uFLinear & HV Power SuppliesBulk storageFiltering & Bypass
Lowest Cost (C>10uF, V>16VDC)
Tolerance to surges
Timing Applications VAC applications Avionics Harsh Environments
Tantalum Electrolytic
Capacitance values above 1uFSmall Hand-HeldFiltering & Bypass
Small sizeNo wear outLow Cost
Input circuits of power supplies (AC-DC & DC-DC) Timing Applications VAC applications
Capacitor Use ComparisonCapacitor Use Comparison
Sweet Spots: Case Sizes & Tolerances:
Device TypeSweet Spot
PackageSweet Spot Tolerances Notes
SMT Capacitors
MLCC
0402 0201
0603≥ 0805
NPO = 5% (J)X7R = 10% (K)
High Cap X5R = 10% (K) & 20% (M)
Y5V = +80%/-20% (Z)
X5R (1uF ~ 100uF)X7R (0.01uF ~ 1uF)Y5V for non critical
applications
Film 0805 & 1206 2% (G) & 5% (J)PPS film best choice for
SAC Alloy reflow soldering
Alum E-cap
5x5.56.3x6.36.3x8
20% is suggested tolerance
Long LT on larger sizes (>8mm diameter)
limited global capacity
TantE-cap
J, P, A, A2reduced
sizes 10% (K) & 20% (M)
High Cap >10uF Lower profile and stability
over MLCCs
Trends - Suggestions X5R dominates ≥1uF, X7R limited to higher VDC ratings Avoid use of tolerances tighter than shown above Use Alum E-caps over Tant E-caps in higher voltage (and transient risky) applications Use film caps only when performance requirements warrant
Trends - Suggestions X5R dominates ≥1uF, X7R limited to higher VDC ratings Avoid use of tolerances tighter than shown above Use Alum E-caps over Tant E-caps in higher voltage (and transient risky) applications Use film caps only when performance requirements warrant
SMT Capacitor Sweet SpotsSMT Capacitor Sweet Spots
Material Costs Trend: Tantalum E-CapsMaterial Costs Trend: Tantalum E-Caps
Price Index
2009 2010
Tantalum Material Cost >200% increase over last 12 monthsTantalum Material Cost >200% increase over last 12 months
Capacitor OptionsCapacitor Options
Suggestions to Mitigate Potential Tantalum Capacitor Issues:
… Price Increases and , or Shortages:
• Plan and purchase as early as possible
• Consider switch to reduced case size tantalum electrolytic capacitors as less
price increase expected & larger production capacity in smaller case sizes
• Consider use of liquid electrolyte aluminum electrolytic capacitors for high
capacitance & high voltage (VDC) replacements; “V-Chip”
• For large (D-V-E case sizes; 7343 size*) consider use of solid polymer aluminum
electrolytic capacitors in same case size (* fit same PCB foot print & land pads)
• Consider use of MLCCs (X5R) for low capacitance & low voltage replacements
• Contact NIC to review your requirements [ NIC technical support
Suggestions to Mitigate Potential Tantalum Capacitor Issues:
… Price Increases and , or Shortages:
• Plan and purchase as early as possible
• Consider switch to reduced case size tantalum electrolytic capacitors as less
price increase expected & larger production capacity in smaller case sizes
• Consider use of liquid electrolyte aluminum electrolytic capacitors for high
capacitance & high voltage (VDC) replacements; “V-Chip”
• For large (D-V-E case sizes; 7343 size*) consider use of solid polymer aluminum
electrolytic capacitors in same case size (* fit same PCB foot print & land pads)
• Consider use of MLCCs (X5R) for low capacitance & low voltage replacements
• Contact NIC to review your requirements [ NIC technical support
MLCCs replacements MLCCs replacements For SMT Tantalum CapacitorsFor SMT Tantalum Capacitors
Cap Code
Cap VoltageSize Code
Size English
Size Metric
NIC TANTALUM PNAlternative NIC MLCC PN
Notes
105 1.0uF 10VDC P 0805 2012 NTC-T105K10TRPF NMC0805X7R105K10TRPF Same Size, Same CV
105 1.0uF 10VDC A2 1206 3216 NTC-T105M10TRA2F NMC1206X7R105K16TRPF Same Size, Higher VDC
105 1.0uF 16VDC J 0603 1608 NTC-T105M16TRJF NMC0603X7R105K16TRPF Same Size, Same CV
105 1.0uF 16VDC A 1206 3216 NTC-T105K16TRAF NMC1206X7R105K16TRPF Same Size, Same CV
105 1.0uF 20VDC A 1206 3216 NTC-T105K20TRAF NMC1206X7R105K25TRPLP3KF Same Size, Higher VDC
105 1.0uF 25VDC A 1206 3216 NTC-T105K25TRAF NMC1206X7R105K25TRPLP3KF Same Size, Same CV
105 1.0uF 35VDC A 1206 3216 NTC-T105K35TRAF NMC1206X7R105K50TRPLPF Same Size, Higher VDC
105 1.0uF 35VDC B 1411 3528 NTC-T105K35TRBF NMC1210X7R105K100TRPLP1K Smaller Size, Higher VDC
105 1.0uF 50VDC C 2412 6032 NTC-T105K50TRCF NMC1210X7R105K100TRPLP1K Smaller Size, Higher VDC
Please Note The Following: High capacitance MLCCs (such as those listed below) will exhibit capacitance change with applied voltage, over temperature, over time and may exhibit piezoelectric properties not seen with tantalum electrolytic capacitors. Please review your application with NIC technical support @ [email protected]
Replace With
Replace With
Common 1.0uF C-V Sizes
SMT Tantalum Cap Specifications: www.niccomp.com/catalog/ntct.pdf X7R MLCC Cap Specifications:
www.niccomp.com/catalog/nmc2.pdf
SMT Tantalum Cap Specifications: www.niccomp.com/catalog/ntct.pdf X7R MLCC Cap Specifications:
www.niccomp.com/catalog/nmc2.pdf
SMT Tantalum
Electrolytic
SMT MLCC Ceramic
Compare CapacitorsCompare Capacitors
NIC QuickQuickBUILDERBUILDER Component selection and comparison tool / Provides comparison of different type capacitorsSuch as comparing tantalum electrolytic to aluminum electrolytic, or MLCC ceramic capacitors
Example below shows 47uF, 10VDC comparison; MnO2 cathode tantalum, Polymer cathode tantalum & X5R ceramic MLCC
www.niccomp.com/quickbuilder/qb_capacitor.php www.niccomp.com/quickbuilder/qb_capacitor.php
Need Help?Need Help?
Contact NIC to review your requirements
[ NIC technical support [email protected] ]
Contact NIC to review your requirements
[ NIC technical support [email protected] ]