Electronic components are the fundamental building blocks of electronic systems, and no matter how complex an electronic system may be, it is essentially composed of individual electronic components. Electronic components are classified based on whether they affect the characteristics of electrical signals and can be categorized into passive and active components. Passive components, in particular, are incapable of amplifying, oscillating, performing operations, or executing signal processing; they solely have a responsive function and do not require additional excitation units. Resistors, capacitors, and inductors are the three main passive components, with capacitors having a wide range of applications.
Capacitors are passive components used for storing and discharging electric charges, and the capacitance value depends on the plate area, plate separation, and dielectric constant of the capacitor. Depending on the type of dielectric used, capacitors can be categorized into ceramic capacitors, aluminum electrolytic capacitors, tantalum electrolytic capacitors, and film capacitors, among others. Ceramic capacitors, in particular, account for more than half of the capacitor market share due to their advantages, including small size and a wide voltage range.
Ceramic capacitors can be further divided into single-layer ceramic capacitors, chip multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), and leaded multilayer ceramic capacitors. MLCCs are made by stacking ceramic dielectric layers with pre-printed electrodes (inner electrodes) in a staggered manner. They are then subjected to a one-time high-temperature sintering process to form a ceramic chip, and metal layers (outer electrodes) are sealed on both ends of the chip.
In addition to their “DC-blocking AC-pass” capability, MLCCs have the advantages of low equivalent resistance, high voltage tolerance, high-temperature resistance, small size, and a wide capacitance range. They are widely used in consumer electronics, automotive electronics, communications, industrial automation, aerospace, and other industrial sectors, making them the most commonly used ceramic capacitor product in various applications.
This article is provided by JYH HSU Electronics, a manufacturer of electronic components such as capacitors and resistors.
Post time: Oct-16-2023