Capacitor Notes

Aluminum Electrolytics
- Designed to last 1K to 10K operation hrs at rated voltage, temperature, and ripple current
- Large capacitance values (1uF - 100,000uF)
- Poor tolerance (often +80%/-20%)
- High capacitance drift with age
- Typical 15 year life due to evaporating / leaking electrolyte
- 2X life increase for every 10°C below rated temperature
Solid Tantalum
- Will explode if polarity is reversed
- Generally superior to 0.1uF - 100uF aluminum electrolytics
- +/-20% or better tolerance
- Low temperature coefficient, low age drift
- Indefinite lifetime at 50% rated voltage and 3R series resistance
Ceramic (MLCC)
- Capacitance decreases significantly with increasing voltage
- Typically Very Low ESR (< 1 Ohm in 1kHz range)
- NP0 types exhibit low temperature coefficient, other types are worse
- May couple mechanical vibrations into electrical signal (“microphonic”)
Polyester Film (PET)
- General-purpose and high voltage
- moderate temperature stability: 400±200ppm/°C
- “Self-Healing” from high-voltage transients
- Moderate age drift (due to moisture absorbtion)
Polypropylene Film (PP)
- Generally superior to PET
- High temperature stability: 200±100/°C
- “Self-Healing” from high-voltage transients
- Low age drift (low moisture absorbtion)

Recommended Capacitor Brands / Manufacturers


Japanese	Rubycon, Nichicon, Sanyo, Suncon, Panasonic, Hitachi, United Chemi-Con, Nippon Chemi-Con, FPCAP, Functional Polymer Capacitor, ELNA
American	Cornell Dubilier, Illinois Capacitor, Kemet, Vishay
German	EPCOS, Wurth