Further advances in polymer hybrid capacitors

Highest capacity and ripple currents

The new ZUU series hybrid capacitors stand out with the highest capacitance and highest ripple current in the Panasonic range. (Source: Panasonic)

Reliable and robust, always as compact as possible – and with ever-increasing performance: more and more demands are being placed on electronic components generally, and on passive components in particular. With the newest polymer hybrid capacitors in their ZUU series, Panasonic offers the best of two capacitor worlds.

Background

Polymer capacitors have become well established in recent years and are subject to ongoing development. They can be divided into four main types: layered polymer aluminium capacitors, wound polymer aluminium capacitors, polymer tantalum capacitors, and polymer hybrid aluminium capacitors. Each type has different electrolytic and electrode materials, and the differences in their construction mean they are also aimed at different application areas. Compared to conventional electrolytic and ceramic capacitors, polymer capacitors offer better electrical characteristics, stability, service life, reliability, safety, and life cycle costs.

Hybrid capacitors in particular – due to their electrical characteristics, the automation of electronic components, and the higher switching frequencies of many electrical devices – have grown in importance. The crucial factor when selecting a capacitor is its reliability under difficult electrical conditions and in demanding operating environments.

Advantages of hybrid capacitors

• Excellent reliability

• Stable electrical characteristics at high frequencies
• Compact size
• High level of safety through self-healing
• Humidity resistance
• Stable capacitance across fluctuations in voltage and temperature
• High tolerance to large ripple currents, inrush currents and elevated temperature

Figure 1: comparison of Panasonic hybrid capacitor series (surface mounted)

Panasonic’s newest developments are reflected in their ZUU series, where they have managed to increase both capacitance and ripple currents. Figure 1 shows the expansion of Panasonic’s hybrid capacitor series for surface mounting. The new ZUU series achieves capacitance of up to 1000µF, equivalent to 180% of that offered by the ZU series. Ripple current is at max. 160% of the ZSU series, or approx. 5.5A at 125°C and 100kHz.

The ZUU capacitors feature a service life of 4000 hours at 125°C/135°C, a voltage range of 25V to 63V, and an operating temperature range of 55°C to 135°C. By increasing capacitance to 1000 µF, the ZUU series offers options for further miniaturisation, as fewer components are required to achieve the same or even higher performance.

The series is also competitively priced, the sum of its properties – higher ripple currents, longer life, etc. – reducing the total cost of ownership despite the higher cost of individual capacitors. This makes it particularly suitable for industrial applications such as motor drives, inverters, and special lighting and control applications. The compact build of the capacitors also allows them to be more easily integrated into industrial control systems.

At Schukat

At Schukat electronic, we offer fast, competent assistance in selecting the ideal capacitors for your specific application. With Panasonic polymer hybrid capacitors now in stock, we are here to help you realise your automotive and industrial applications – with maximum reliability, safety and an economically attractive TCO.

At Schukat, we provide our customers with fast, expert support, with direct, specialised contact partners, rapid order processing, and data sheets and samples. For on-site solutions, our competent field service team is at your disposal. From our automated logistics centre in Monheim am Rhein, we ensure high availability at short notice to cover your needs – for high volumes, too.

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Worth seeing

In a video ''Walking in Customer Shoes'', Shahrokh Kananizadeh (Senior Product Manager of Passive Components at Panasonic Industry Europe) talks about Panasonic's hybrid capacitor technology: