Electrolytic Capacitors: Are They Obsolete or Here to Stay?

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors offer a higher capacitance-to-volume ratio compared to ceramic capacitors, which is a significant advantage in many scenarios. They are commonly used to smooth voltage fluctuations, filter noise, and amplify audio frequencies.

In recent years, however, polymer-based and hybrid polymer capacitors have emerged, offering certain advantages over traditional electrolytic capacitors. These benefits include longer lifespans, higher maximum operating temperatures, improved stability, reduced equivalent series resistance (ESR), and safer failure modes.

Despite these advancements, many design engineers continue to prefer traditional electrolytic capacitors. The primary reason is their cost efficiency, particularly in applications where space is not a concern. Additionally, specific applications, such as power supplies, rely on through-hole components to achieve cost savings.

Panasonic’s FH series offers the longest lifespan for surface-mounted electrolytic capacitors in its class. It ranges from 6.3 to 100 V and provides capacitance values from 10 to 680µF in package sizes from Ø6×7.7h to Ø10x10mm, with a lifespan of 10,000 hours at 105°C—3,000 hours (> 40%) longer than most competitors.

Competitors that match this lifespan cannot provide comparable capacitance or temperature ratings, underscoring Panasonic’s superiority. Furthermore, the FH series minimizes ESR and delivers high ripple current ratings, aligning with Panasonic’s commitment to superior performance in its electrolytic capacitor lineup.

Panasonic’s new FN series stands out with several remarkable features:

• these capacitors are one to two sizes smaller than other low ESR electrolytic capacitors on the market, making them ideal for space-constrained applications.
• With capacitance values that are 20% to 80% higher than the previous FK series, the FN series offers engineers more flexibility, especially in high-capacitance applications.
• Additionally, the FN series covers a broad voltage range from 6.3V to 100V, including variants from 6.3V to 50V specifically designed for high-temperature placement without solder, making them compatible with modern manufacturing processes.

Moreover, FN capacitors feature low ESR, enhancing their performance in applications with high ripple currents, which is particularly important in switch-mode power supplies. For applications requiring mechanical stability, the FN series offers vibration-resistant options that ensure reliability even in demanding environments. Finally, the FN series complies with RoHS regulations and meets AEC-Q200 standards, making them suitable for automotive and industrial applications where reliability and safety are essential.