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

tpmg@niccomp.com ]

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

tpmg@niccomp.com ]

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 @ tpmg@niccomp.com

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 tpmg@niccomp.com ]

Contact NIC to review your requirements

[ NIC technical support tpmg@niccomp.com ]