ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS Cautions for … · While aluminum electrolytic capacitors are operated ... capacitor temperature being affected by the ambient ... See chart on page

ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS

Please read product specifications before using ELNA products.

Cautions for usage

Cautions for Using Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

1. DC electrolytic capacitors are polarized. •

2. Use within the rated voltage. •

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3. Using for power supply circuit.•

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7. Changes in the characteristics due to frequency.•

8. Aluminum electrolytic capacitor life.•

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The following cautions should be observed when using our aluminum electrolytic capacitors to assure their maximumstability and performance. When your application design conditions or operating conditions exceed the limit of theproduct specification, please contact us. If used under conditions beyond the limit of our specifications, it may causedefects such as short circuit, open circuit, leakage, explosion or combustion.

If used with a wrong polarity, it creates an abnormalcurrent resulting in a short circuit or damage toitself. Use DC bipolar electrolytic capacitors for usewith uncertain or unknown polarity. DC capacitorscannot be used in AC circuits.

If a voltage exceeding the rated voltage is applied,it may cause characteristic deterioration or damagedue to the increased leakage current.When ripple current is loaded, make sure that thepeak value of the ripple voltage does not exceedthe rated voltage.

While aluminum electrolytic capacitors are operatedelectrolyte liquid inside dries up and E.S.R.(Equivalent Series Resistance) of the capacitorincreases. In case operated longer than rated lifetime, the capacitance much decreases, tangent ofloss angle and E.S.R. much increases. Thereforefor some case the sum of bias direct voltage andthe peak of ripple voltage is over the rated voltageof the capacitor.For any type of circuit, in case the sum of biasdirect voltage and the peak of ripple voltage is overthe rated voltage of the capacitors or in case theminimum voltage is lower than 0 (zero) volt, thevoltage control for the capacitors shall be provided.

4. Do not use in a circuit which requires rapid charging or discharging.

If used in a circuit requiring rapid charging or dis-charging, it may cause characteristic deteriorationor damage to itself due to the heat generated insidethe capacitor. In such cases, contact us for ourrapid charging /discharging capacitors.

5. Use within the rated ripple current.If applied ripple current exceeds rated ripple current,the life of the capacitor may be shortened, or in anextreme case it gets destroyed due to its internal heat.Use high-ripple type capacitors for such circuits.

6. Changes in characteristics due to operating temperature.

The characteristics of an electrolytic capacitor willchange with a change in the temperature. Suchchanges are temporary and the original characteris-tics will be restored at the original temperature (ifthe characteristics are not deteriorated by remaining at a high temperature for a long time). If used at a

temperature exceeding the guaranteed temperature range, the capacitor may be damaged due to the increased leakage current. Pay attention to the capacitor temperature being affected by the ambient temperature of the unit, the temperature inside the appliance, the heat radiated by another hot component in the unit and the heat inside the capacitor itself due to the ripple current.(1)The electrostatic capacitance is normally shown as the value at 20°C-120Hz. It increases as the temperature raises and decreases as it lowers.(2)The tangent of loss angle (tanδ) is normally shown as the value at 20°C-120Hz. It decreases as the ambient temperature gets high and increases as it gets low.(3)The leakage current increases as the temperature gets high and decreases as it gets low.

The characteristics of an electrolytic capacitor willchange according to the change in the operatingfrequency.(1)The electrostatic capacity is normally shown as the value at 20°C-120Hz. It decreases as the frequency increases.(2)The tangent of loss angle (tanδ) is normally shown as the value at 20°C-120Hz. It increases as the frequency gets high.(3)The impedance is normally shown as the value at 100kHz 20°C. It increases as the frequency lowers.

The life of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor termi-nates when it fails due to the deterioration in itselectronic characteristics. Temperature and theripple current since they especially affect the life.See chart on page.

9. Changes in aluminum electrolytic capacitors during storage.

After storage for a long period, whether unused ofmounted on the appliance, the leakage current ofan aluminum electrolytic capacitor will increase.This tendency is more prominent when the ambienttemperature is high. If a capacitor has been storedfor more than 2 years under normal temperature(shorter if high temperature) and it shows increasedleakage current, a treatment by voltage applicationis recommended. Addition of a protective circuit inthe design of the appliance is also recommended,considering the effect of the initial increased current.

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NOTE : Design, Specifications are subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you shall obtain technical specifications from ELNA to ensure that the component is suitable for your use.

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17. Capacitors with pressure valves.

1. Cautions for mounting.

15. Use at a high altitude

14. Specific Operating Environments

19. Regarding to connection of capacitors

13. Fumigation Process

18. Double-sided PCB’s

Required spaceabove the valve (mm) 3.02.0

12. External sleeve

Diameter of the capacitor(mm) 20 to 4018 or less

ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS®

10. Insulation between the capacitor case and the cathode terminal.• The capacitor case and the cathode terminal are connected through the electrolyte which has uncertain resistance. If a complete insulation of the case is necessary, add an insulator at assembly.

11. NC terminal (the supplemental terminal) (series RPK, LJ6, LJ2)• Since NC terminal is not insulated. It should be

mounted at a position electronically independent from all other parts of the circuit.

• During a preheating or a hardening of mountingadhesive may cause a sleeve cracked.The capacitors are usually sleeved with poly vinylchloride or poly ethylene terephthalate for theindication purpose only. Please do not consider itas an insulation.

• When exporting electronic equipment abroad,fumigation process may be performed on woodenpackaging material with a halogen (compound) gassuch as methyl bromide. Exercise care as thishalogen gas may corrode capacitors. Also, usecaution to epidemic preventive agent as corrosivecomponent such as halogen may be contained.

• Capacitors may corrode when stored or used in aplace filled with acidic toxic gases (such ashydrogen sulfide, sulfurous acid, nitrous acid,chlorine, bromine, methyl bromide, etc.)If capacitors are used or stored in suchenvironments, please let us know.

• The use of capacitors at high altitudes such as onan airplane causes a large difference between theinternal pressure of the capacitors and the atmos-pheric pressure. However, there is no problem inuse under atmospheric pressure up to about analtitude of 10,000 meters. Please check theoperation of electronic equipment at the operatingenvironmental temperature because the tempera-ture lowers with increased altitude. If the condition is severe like space, please contact us.

• Set the hole pitch of the PCB to the lead pitch (the“F” distance in the catalog) of the capacitor. Becareful since a short circuit, a cut or an increasein the leakage current etc. may be caused by thestress given to the lead wire terminals due to thedifference between the hole pitch and the leadpitch.

• A part of the capacitor case is made thin to havethe function as the pressure valve in order to pre-vent explosion due to the rise of inside pressurewhen a reverse or excessive voltage is applied tothe capacitor. Once it has worked as a valve, thewhole capacitor needs to be replaced since thevalve will not restore.

• When you use a capacitor with pressure valve,provide certain space above the pressure valve asbelow to prevent an interference when it works asa valve.

• When you use electrolytic capacitors on a doublesided PCB, be careful not to have the circuit patternrun under where the capacitor is mounted.Otherwise it may cause a short circuit on the PCBdepending on the condition of mounting.

• Aluminum electrolytic capacitor has electrolyte liquidso that the most portion of electric losscharacteristics came from E.S.R(Equivalent SeriesResistance) of electrolyte liquid. Therefore thecapacitor is an electronic devise which can flow highripple current in case the temperature increases andit decreases E.S.R.In case connecting two capacitors or more, E.S.R. ofthe capacitors is close to the resistance of the circuit.Therefore in case current is unbalanced and somecapacitors has high ripple current, temperatureincrease, it makes more high current and finally it isover the rated ripple current.For parallel connection of capacitors the properdesign of electric circuit such as balancing of eachcapacitors resistance or control of total ripple currentshall be provided to avoid excess ripple current andvoltage.

• When two or more capacitors are arranged inseries, the voltage given to each capacitors shallbe kept below the rated voltage level, by also givingconsideration to the balance of the voltageimpressed on the capacitors. Further, partialpressure resistor which considers leakage currentshall be provided parallel to each condenser not tohave over-voltage impressed on.Balance resistance are explained on p.106 of ourCatalog.

Cautions for Mounting

• Check the ratings (electrostatic capacitance andrated voltage) of the capacitor before mounting.

• Check the polarity of the capacitor to the chassis.• Do not drop the capacitor to the floor. Do not use

16. Hole pitch adjustment of the PCB to the capacitors.

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• Make sure that the contact path of the capacitormeets the hole pitch of the PCB before mounting.

• Transient recovery voltage may be generated in thecapacitor due to dielectric absorption. If required,this voltage can be discharged with a resistor witha value of about 1 kΩ.

• A PCB self-standing (snap-in) type capacitor shouldbe pushed to the end (till there is no space) to thePCB for mounting.

• Do not set the automatic insertion machine to clinchthe capacitor lead wires too strong.

• Pay attention to the impact given by the compo-nent receptacles of the automatic insertion/mount-ing machines and the product checker, and fromthe centering operation.

• Do not use fixing adhesive or coating materialcontaining halogen-based solvent.

• Before applying the fixing adhesive or the coatingmaterial, make sure that there is no remaining fluxor stains between the PCB and the sealed part ofthe capacitor.

• Before applying the fixing adhesive or the coatingmaterial, make sure that the detergent etc. hasdried up.

• Do not cover the whole surface of the sealed part(terminal side) of the capacitor with the fixing ad-hesive or the coating material.

• Observe the description in the catalog or the prod-uct specifications concerning the thermal stiffening conditions of the fixing adhesive or the coatingmaterial. (If there is no such description, contactus.) When both discrete and SMT components areon the same PCB, the fixing material for the SMTcomponents may cause crack, tear or shrinkage onthe external sleeve depending on the thermalstiffening condition.

• Recommended fixing adhesives and coatingmaterialsFixing adhesives : Cemedine 1500, Diabond DN83K, Bond G103Coating materials : Taffy TF1159, HumiSeal 1B66NS, 1A27NS

You may get electric shock or your hand may beburnt. Discharge it with a 1 KΩ resistance before useif necessary.

Do not spill conductive solution including acid or alka-line solution on the capacitor.

• The following items should be checked:

• During cleaning, control the cleaning solutionagainst contamination.

(2)Cleaning conditions:(a) The temperature of cleaning solution shall be

less than 60°C.(b) Use immersion or ultrasonic waves within two

minutes.(c) After cleaning, capacitors and PCB’s shall

thoroughly be rinsed and dried with hot blastfor more than 10 minutes. The temperature ofsuch breeze should be less than the uppercategory temperature.

(d) After cleaning, do not keep capacitors incleaning solution atmosphere or airtightcontainers.

• Do not dip the capacitor into melted solder.• The soldering conditions

Chip type : Please refer to page 15.small and large type : 260°C, 10 s (max.)

The preliminary heating and other conditionsdescribed in the catalog or product specifications.

• Do not flux other part than the terminals.• If there is a direct contact between the sleeve of

the capacitor and the printed circuit pattern or ametal part of another component such as a leadwire, it may cause shrinkage of crack.

• When you use the capacitor with its sleeve touch-ing directly to the PCB, excessive solder tempera-ture or excessive soldering time may cause thesleeve to shrink or crack during the heat.

• If the application is for extended use, understandand manage the soldering characteristics to avoidabnormal current caused by a contact failurebetween the capacitor and the PCB.

• After soldering, do not tilt, push down or twist thecapacitor.

• After soldering, do not hold the capacitor as ahandle to carry the PCB.

• After soldering, do not hit the capacitor with anyobstacle. If PCB’s are piled up for storage, thecapacitor should not touch another PCB or compo-nent.

• Recommended cleaning method(1)cleaning solutions:

(a) CLEANTHROUGH 710M, 750H, 750L(b) PINEALPHA ST-100S(c) Techno Care FRW-4~17(d) Isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol)

4. Handling after soldering.

5. Cleaning after Soldering

1. Do not touch capacitor terminals with bare hands.

2. Do not short the capacitor terminals with a con- ductor.

3. Periodical inspections should be established for the capacitors used in industrial appliances.

2. Do not apply excessive pressure to the capaci-tor, its terminals or lead wires.

3. Soldering.

6. Fixing adhesives and coating materials.

the dropped capacitor.• Do not deform the capacitor for mounting.

ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS ®

Other Cautions

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5. Storing conditions.•

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6. Disposing of capacitors.•

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7. Other notes.•

(1)Appearance : Check if there is any open valve orleakage.

(2)Electronic performance : Check the leakagecurrent, the electrostatic capacitance, the tangentof loss angle and other items described in thecatalog or the product specifications.

4. Take the following measures in case of emergency.


Avoid high temperature or high humidity whenstoring capacitors. Keep the storing temperature at5℃ to 35℃ and the relative humidity not more than75%.The leakage current of an aluminum electrolyticcapacitor tends to increase when stored for a longtime. This tendency becomes more prominent if theambient temperature is high. The leakage currentwill be decreased by voltage application. Ifnecessary, treatment by voltage application should

be made on the capacitors which have been storedfor a long period (more than 2 years afterproduction).Do not store capacitors at a place where there isa possibility that they may get water, salt or oil spill.Do not store capacitors at a place where the aircontains dense hazardous gas (hydrogen sulfide,sulfurous acid, nitrous acid, chlorine, ammonia,etc.).Fumigation treatment with toxic gas covering thewhole wooden container frames as moth proofingduring shipment may leave residual toxic gas.Do not store capacitors at a place where it getsultraviolet or radioactive rays.

Please refer to the following literature for anythingnot described in the product specifications or thecatalog.

(Technical report of Japan Electronics and InformationTechnology Industries Association, EIAJ RCR-2367C“Guideline of notabilia for fixed aluminum electrolyticcapacitors for use in electronic equipment”)

If you see gas coming out of the capacitor valvewhen the set is in operation, turn off the powerswitch of the unit or unplug the power cord fromthe outlet.Keep your face away from the capacitor pressurevalve, since the high temperature gas at over100°C bursts out when the valve works. If the gasgets into your eyes or your mouth, wash your eyesor your mouth. Do not ingest the capacitor electro-lyte. If the electrolyte gets on your skin, wash it outwith soap.

Punch a hole or crush the capacitors (to preventexplosion) before incineration at approved facility.If they are not to be incinerated, bring them to aprofessional industrial waste disposal company.

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Documents

ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS Cautions for … · While aluminum electrolytic capacitors are operated ... capacitor temperature being affected by the ambient ... See chart on page