Aluminium electrolytic capacitors assume a special position among the various types of capacitors since their principle of operation relies, in part, on electrochemical processes. The advantages of aluminium electrolytic capacitors that have led to their wide application range are their high volumetric efficiency (i.e. capacitance per unit volume), which enables the production of capacitors with up to one Farad capacitance, and the fact that an aluminium electrolytic capacitor provides a high ripple current capability together with a high reliability and an excellent price/performance ratio.
Although there are other technologies competing for the same market – most notably polymer and hybrid polymer capacitors - electronics design engineers feel comfortable with electrolytics. They know their characteristics and behaviour patterns and have been using them for many years. Familiarity with technology, long approval processes for qualifying a new technology and reliance on BOM-based reduction are factors for this reticence. Panasonic, as a leading capacitor manufacture, offers diversified products across all three technology ranges. The company has developed one of the widest product ranges available, in both through hole and surface mount configurations. The company is continuing to invest in manufacturing capacity and crucially, also in product development. Therefore, the performance of electrolytic capacitors is continually improving across all the significant parameters.
Readers will see from the two roadmaps below that breadth of product range is one of Panasonic’s key strengths. Because the company has pushed the envelope of performance, often it is possible that a device with a lower specification from within the company’s portfolio will compare very favourably with a leading device from another supplier. Therefore, it is important to consider all parameters, not just CV, when specifying your required component. Some manufacturers’ data sheets are written to display their parts in the best possible light – performance will be quoted at room temperature, for example, rather than a real world environment – while others, including Panasonic, tend to be more conservative. Therefore, although it is sometimes a lengthy process to compare datasheets, it pays to read the fine print. Because of its wide electrolytic portfolio, including very different product series in both surface mount and through-hole styles, Panasonic is likely to have a device that matches your requirement
Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors - Roadmap:
SMD Capacitors: THT Capacitors:
For further reference please compare: Panasonic
Please also compare: Farnell
If you would like to know more about the solutions, key features and product portfolio of Panasonic’s Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors feel free to download our white paper:
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