CalRamic Capacitor Education Series: Capacitor Types AN109-2

CAPACITOR BASICS II – Capacitor Types

Continuing with our educational series we discuss the various types of capacitors and their functions.  In practice, capacitors are available in many different forms. They can vary by the type dielectric utilized, the size, shape and nature of the electrodes used and the type of packaging employed. All of these variables can strongly affect the characteristics of the capacitor and the type of application for which these devices are most suitable.

For high voltage capacitors, CalRamic only offers ceramic dielectrics, but awareness of the other dielectrics is important when designing a high voltage power supply.

The entire series can be found on our Application Notes page.

 

CalRamic HV Ceramic Capacitor Educational Series 109-5

Performance Characteristics

The following Application Note defines the various characteristics that affect performance of the capacitor. Information provided here will give the reader an appreciation for how a capacitor may behave when operated within their intended operating environment. Topics covered include:

• Capacitor Equivalent Circuit page 1
• Equivalent Series Resistance page 2
• Dissipation Factor page 2
• Quality Factor page 3
• Equivalent Series Inductance page 3
• Impedance page 3
• Insulation Resistance page 5
• Working Voltage page 7
• Dielectric Strength page 8
• Aging page 8
• Temperature Coefficient page 9
• Voltage Coefficient page 11
• Voltage – Temperature Coefficient page 12
• Dielectric Absorption page 13
• Piezoelectric materials / Electro-Mechanical Coupling page 13

The complete application note can be read at: http://calramic.com/Design/Assets/PDF_files/AN109-5.pdf

The entire series can be viewed on our web site at www.calramic.com.
 

CalRamic HV Ceramic Capacitor Educational Series 109-4

Ceramic Material Designations

Electronics Industry Standard (EIA) 198 is a US Government document that categorizes various ceramic dielectric materials by their temperature coefficient (ΔTC). Classifications are organized into two basic groupings based on whether they exhibit either extremely stable Class I, or stable / semi-stable performance characteristics (Classes II, III and IV).

Classes I and II represent the more commonly utilized dielectrics, with Class III a distant third and Class IV limited to only a few remote applications where capacitor stability is not a critical component of the system design. For the purpose of this Application Note, information is limited to Class I, Class II and Class III capacitors as outlined in the complete application note:
http://calramic.com/Design/Assets/PDF_files/AN109-4.pdf

The entire series can be viewed on our web site at www.calramic.com.

CalRamic Attends its 9th APEC Conference

Last week Jeff Day, CalRamic CEO, attended the 30th Anniversary APEC conference in Charlottle, North Carolina.  It was Jeff's 9th year attending the conference, which he considers the best audience and show for the Power Electronics Industry using High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors.  Attendees represent a broad industry spectrum, which included Downhole analytical equipment, High temperature Aircraft electronics, Military and Space Electronics, and University research.

Jeff Day, CalRamic Technologies LLC CEO, discusses HV ceramic capacitor application with APEC attendee.

We were also visited by a number of University Academia working on DC-DC type convertors.  Our mission is to supply all National and International Universities with Capacitor samples for their studies free of charge.  Students always remember the companies that help provide lab equipment and supplies, which has been Jeff's case since his days as a University of Washington student.

CalRamic APEC 2015 booth.

Thank you to the attendees that visited our booth.  We look forward to next year's conference in Long Beach.

Hand Soldering Process for High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors

During the hand soldering process, use caution when using a soldering iron on High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors.

The following CalRamic application note is intended for a general reference on using a soldering iron.

APPLICATION NOTE: AN103

Wave Soldering for Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors

Wave soldering was one of first production techniques for soldering surface mount components, including multilayer ceramic capacitors  (MLCCs), to assemblies. Initially process problems, such as inadequate preheat and excessive dwell time, and inferior ceramic capacitors [e.g. small voids and delaminations], caused cracking of the capacitors.

At CalRamic, we have produced Application Note AN102 to address successful soldering techniques on our MLCC product line.

CalRamic Space Level Grade, High Voltage MLCC Performance Chart

Thermal Shock Considerations With HV Ceramic Capacitors

High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors are typically large Ceramic devices, and care should be taken when soldering them into your circuit board or assembly for your application.  Thermal Shock considerations should be taken into account. This Application Note is a general guideline for soldering HV Capacitors. Other application notes can be found on our web site: www.calramic.com.

The Effect of Temperature & Voltage Changes on High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors

When designing High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors in a circuit, the understanding of Ceramic Dielectric Performance should be taken into account.  The attached CalRamic Technologies Application Note, AN110, will help you understand Dielectric behavior during your design process.

Selection of High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors manufactured in the United States by CalRamic Technologies LLC

CalRamic Technologies, LLC - Sales Meeting

April 6th and 7th CalRamic Representatives and International Distributors are meeting in Reno, Nevada to discuss products and tour the CalRamic Technology Operations Site.

We welcome our outside sales team as we present that High Voltage Ceramic Capacitor manufacturing can be as easy as 1, 2, 3.

CalRamic at APEC 2014- March 17-19th

Stop by our booth, #332, at APEC 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas.  We can discuss our wide range of products from Radial Leaded Multilayer and Surface Mount Chip Capacitors.  Also, available is Custom Ceramic Capacitor Manufacturing.

Deep Space and Military application are one portion of our High Voltage Capacitor applications.  Feel free to contact us anytime to discuss your particular design.

Our CalRamic technology team is ready to serve you.  No project is considered too small or too large.

High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors for Medical, Commercial Power Supplies & Commercial Aerospace

High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors manufactured by CalRamic Technologies, LLC serve numerous industries from smart devices to commercial aerospace flight control.

An example of a product is the High Voltage Multilayer Ceramic Surface Mount Capacitors with surface mount tabs in a variety of C-V values and sizes.

• 500VDC to 10,000VDC
• X7R and NPO
• ROHS Option
• Mil Screened IAW Mil-prf-49467 Option

Custom sizes and capacitance/voltage values are available.  Same day shipping is offered for in-stock items.

High Voltage Capacitors Used in Commercial Aviation

CalRamic high voltage ceramic disc capacitors are used throughout the aviation industry.  The high quality components are manufactured in the United States.  

HV ceramic capacitor applications include: Military/commercial, radar, avionics, flight control systems, missile guidance and engine controls.

Facility Expansion!

CalRamic Technologies, LLC has expanded its operations to the building adjacent to the current operations.  This will add another 50% more square footage for our continued growth and expansion.