Education

The phenomenal growth in electronics has been aided by technological advances in the areas of miniaturization, cost reduction and improved reliability in electronic components.

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are used in various applications because they can achieve high capacitance and voltage ratings in small, cost efficient case sizes.

The aluminum electrolytic capacitor is composed of an anode foil, a cathode foil and separator paper which are wound together and impregnated with an electrolyte.

The plates, or electrodes, are made of high purity, thin aluminum foil (0.05 to 0.1 mm thick).

With the advancements in aluminum electrolytic capacitor technology, capacitors can be used in equipment that must have very long life or must operate under severe conditions.

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors show various failure modes in different applications.

The life of aluminum electrolytic capacitors is very dependent on environmental and electrical factors. Environmental factors include temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and vibration.

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are used in virtually all types of circuit designs. However, they are commonly used as filtering devices in power supplies.

The phenomenal growth in electronics has been aided by technological advances in the areas of miniaturization, cost reduction and improved reliability in electronic components.

In DC applications, confirm the polarity. If the polarity is reversed, the circuit life will be shortened or the capacitor may be damaged. Generally, an intermittent reverse voltage of 1 volt DC is allowed. Capacitors used in circuits whose polarity is occasionally reversed or whose polarity is unknown requires the use of a bi-polar capacitor.