Downsizing MLCCs Quiz

Quiz | Passive Components | MLCCs Downsizing Q&A with Murata | WorkBench Wednesdays

When downsizing multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) from larger case sizes down to 0201, there are several considerations. The first is supply chain availability. As customer designs get smaller, so do the requirements for the size of components like capacitors. Therefore, manufacturers like Murata are ramping up their production lines to accommodate smaller case sizes. Second are the design or technical considerations. For background on this topic, watch the following interview between Yang Jiang, Murata Product Manager, and James Lewis, element14 Presents host, as they discuss these considerations. Then watch the Workbench Wednesdays Episode, where James shows how the design considerations affect a 555-timer circuit.

To earn the Downsizing MLCCs Badge, score 100% on the quiz, rate this document, and leave your feedback on the quiz as a comment.

Watch Interview with Yang Jiang - Murata MLCC Product Engineer

WorkBench Wednesdays 30: Ceramic Capacitor Voltage Effect

Top Comments

rsjawale24 over 2 years ago

Nice little quiz on capacitors
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spinden over 3 years ago

Thanks for the quick quiz!
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beacon_dave over 4 years ago

An interesting interview, Workbench Wednesday episode and quiz.
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Fred27 over 4 years ago

I like some of the options on the recent quizzes.
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COMPACT over 4 years ago

Yay!
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baldengineer over 4 years ago in reply to jw0752

No, that was the point of the question. If you reduce the area of the cap by 50%, you need twice as many layers now to have the same total surface area, which causes it to get taller. However, the capacitor can only get so tall. One of the "knobs" that gets adjusted is the dielectric layer thickness. As the layers get thinner the voltage (and temperature) coefficients are more pronounced.

To say it another way, the layer thickness for say, 10V on an 0805 is not the same as the thickness for 10V on an 0603 (or 0402).

A related misconception is that the forumlation of a cermaic is the same for all case sizes or rated voltages. The composition can vary, which also has an effect on thickness (and the coefficients.)
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jw0752 over 4 years ago

It was a nice quiz but I felt that the cause and effect were reversed in #2. For example while the thickness of the dielectric may affect the case size it is unlikely that the size of the case will affect the thickness of the dielectric. The way the question is worded would seem to imply that the case size could affect the dielectric thickness.

John
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gpolder over 4 years ago

Interesting
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phoenixcomm over 4 years ago in reply to kmikemoo

kmikemoo I understand. My hands shake a little so it is tough for me to WireWrap. I might have to learn to design PCBs.
Fat finger Alert: 'lose' should be used.
~~
Cris
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kmikemoo over 4 years ago

Excellent info. Still not planning on using 0201's. I lose through hole components. I can't imagine tiny SMD's.
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