what capacitors do you need for the your power supply?

2024-05-26

Nowadays, the portable power is more and more popular on the market.Because people like go camping for connection with nature and escape from routine. And the portable power can provide the especial electricity when they are in outside activities.

The most common types of capacitors used in power supply circuits are ceramic, electrolytic, film, and tantalum. Ceramic capacitors have low ESR, high frequency response, and small size, but they have low capacitance, high TC, and are prone to cracking.

The following 13 common components are used in most printed circuit boards:

● Resistance

● Transistor

● Capacitor

● Inductor

Light-emitting diode

● Transformer

● Integrated circuit

● Crystal oscillator

● Potentiometer

SCR (Silicon Controlled rectifier)

● Sensor

● Switch/relay

● Battery

It is the control board inside the 500W portable power, we are going to introduce the function of passive component in this article.

1. The Capacitors

A capacitor is a passive electronic component with two ends. They work like rechargeable batteries -- holding charge temporarily and releasing it when more power is needed elsewhere in the circuit.

You can do this by collecting opposite charges on two conducting layers separated by an insulating or dielectric material.

Capacitors are usually classified by conductor or dielectric material, resulting in a number of types with varying characteristics, ranging from high capacitance electrolytic capacitors, various polymer capacitors to more stable ceramic disc capacitors. Some capacitors are similar in appearance to axial resistors, but classic capacitors are radial, with two leads extending from the same end.

Capacitors have a few specifications and ratings.  Of course, voltage and capacitance are the two best known specifications.  But for calculating the life of a capacitor, there’s the temperature rating which is usually 85° or 105°C.  There’s also the maximum ripple current allowed.  If all of the aforementioned are run to their limits, 24/7, that’s when you run into the capacitor’s lifetime rating. 

This rating is typically in the range of 2000 to 6000 hours; this is equivalent to only 83 to 250 days.  Fortunately, the relationship between life and temperature follows a chemical reaction formula called “Arrhenius' Law of Chemical Activity”. The law put simply says that life of a capacitor doubles for every 10 degree Celsius decrease in temperature. 

So if a 105°C rated capacitor is operating at 85°C, for example, your 2000 hour life has increased to 8000 hours and that’s still assuming it is filtering the maximum amount of ripple current it is rated for. 

2. Inductors - Increased energy

When it comes to linear passive parts, inductors are the last, along with capacitors and resistors. Like capacitors, inductors store energy, but in the form of magnetic fields that generate the moment current gets to flow through them. A simple example of an inductor coil is a wire, and the more the number of windings within an inductor, the higher the inductance due to a large magnetic field.

The primary use of inductors is to block out or filter specific signals. For example, they may be used to block interference in TV equipment or even use capacitors to manipulate AC signals, especially in power supplies that are on switch mode.

3. Conclusion

In summary, a circuit board is a complex assembly of various components that work together to facilitate the flow of electrical currents and perform specific functions. From passive components like resistors and capacitors to active components like diodes and transistors, each part serves a unique purpose in the circuit.

One of our client produce the best portable power with Hongda Capacitors, they choose the SMD E-Cap and MLCC for the main board, and they are working very well inside the 500W portable power, bring a big growth for their business.

So whether you’re a professional electronics engineer or an enthusiastic hobbyist, a solid grasp of the simple circuit board parts is the foundation for success in electronic design and assembly. So, continue to explore and deepen your knowledge of these components!

pls contact with us for any inquiry:

phone/whatsatpp:+86 13669897281

email: judy@hongdacap.com.hk