The Learning Circuit 40: Learning About Polymer Capacitors

Learning About Polymer Capacitors

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Capacitors are a seemingly simple device. In this episode, James goes deep into what makes polymer capacitors different from other capacitor types. Spoiler alert: it is a material found on the cathode side of the capacitor that makes a polymer, a polymer. Additionally, he covers what to consider when trying to switch from a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) to a polymer.

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Related Episode:  The Learning Circuit 42: Replacing MLCCs with Polymer Capacitors

Finding specifications on capacitors varies by manufacturer. Some provide very detailed, yet complicated, charts in their datasheets while others provide on-line tools. In this video James used a simulation tool from KEMET Electronics called K-SIM and one from Murata called Sim Surfer.

One downside to these tools is that they are vendor specific. Unlike circuit simulation tools, these "simualtors" are simulating the capacitor's parameters. Many engineers will simply use their design's worst case when trying to get information from these tools. Keep in mind that most will let you export a netlist for use in circuit simulation tools. Unforutantely, those netlists are only valid for the specific conditions that they were generated. For example, if you generate an X5R model at 70°C, you would need a seperate model for 85°C.

Often over looked, there are application engineers available to help you. One option is to start with your favorite distributor, like Farnell or Newark. If they do not have someone on their support team that can answer your capacitor questions, they can reach out to manufacturers on your behalf to get application specific data. And, of course, you can leave questions below for help from the element14 community!

Supplemental Content:

• The Learning Circuit 29: How Capacitors Work
• The Learning Circuit 30: Capacitor Substitution Box!

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