KEMET film capacitors for high temperature, high voltage and high current

Abstract

Trends of several applications like down-hole drilling, commercial aviation (e.g. jet engines), heavy industrial and automotive are challenging the capabilities of capacitors and other electronic components. The growing harsh-environment conditions for these applications are high temperature, high voltage, and high current. At the capacitor component level, required features are very high reliability under mechanical shock and rapid changes in temperature, low leakage current (high insulation resistance), small dimensions, good stability with time and humidity, and high peak withstanding voltage. Capacitors for power-conversion circuitry must maintain a low AC loss and DC leakage at high temperatures. KEMET has recently designed film capacitor series using PEN to address the needs of the above-mentioned circuits, in particular regarding the working temperature, voltage, and current. This paper will cover technological advances in film capacitor technology to address harsh environment conditions needs, providing test results on temperature, voltage, and thermal shock acceleration factor.