Capacitor series meanings

[dhughens]

Hi to all. I was recently asked a question that I couldn't answer even after a couple of hours of research on the net. It's probably pretty basic but I'm not getting anywhere.

It seems that capacitors have designated series labels such as, gd, gc, fj, fl, wg, mbz, mcz, hm, hn, etc. From what I can gather, the designations are merely manufacture model codes. Sort of like Ford f150, f250, f350 or Dodge 1500, 2500, 3500 labeled trucks. But I'm wondering if the labeling is more like Ford Taurus, Contour, or Dodge Charger, Viper, Challenger, i.e. just a name, rather than a designation.

If the labels are designations, what do they mean, as in specifications. Any explanation would be greatly welcomed. Thanks in advance, dan...

[mockingbird]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

Series denotes a reference in a chart to the specifications of the given capacitor. Three things mainly: Dimensions, Ripple, and Impedence.

Samxon GC and GD are Ultra-Low Impedence, Panasonic FJ and FL are also ULI, in fact, MBZ, MCZ, HM, HN... All ultra low impedence capacitors.

[dhughens]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

"Samxon GC and GD are Ultra-Low Impedence, Panasonic FJ and FL are also ULI, in fact, MBZ, MCZ, HM, HN... All ultra low impedence capacitors."

Seems like if they are all Ultra Low Impedance, there would be no need for different designations. I must be missing something. Why use one series over another if they all are ULI capacitors? Do the letters mean anything specific about "Dimensions, Ripple, and Impedance" or just specs on a chart? I guess the question really relates to how and why would you choose one properly rated cap over another.. Sorry to sound difficult, just not understanding at the moment. dan...

[c_hegge]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

Samxon GD is ULI, GC is UULI (even lower). The others are similar caps, but from different manufacturers.

[mockingbird]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

From what I understand, you're correct with general purpose caps. Just use the one that fits, and match the ripple. If you want a premium general purpose cap, one that has even higher ripple suppression or temperature tolerance, spend the 50 cents more and get it as long as it has the right dimensions.

But with low esr capacitors, you do have to be picky about the esr (According to most people).

The general purpose caps don't have an impedence rating as far as I have seen, only something called "tan" with a funny symbol that I would be grateful to know what it is, if someone would be so gracious as to explain it.

[PlainBill]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

"Samxon GC and GD are Ultra-Low Impedence, Panasonic FJ and FL are also ULI, in fact, MBZ, MCZ, HM, HN... All ultra low impedence capacitors."

Seems like if they are all Ultra Low Impedance, there would be no need for different designations. I must be missing something. Why use one series over another if they all are ULI capacitors? Do the letters mean anything specific about "Dimensions, Ripple, and Impedance" or just specs on a chart? I guess the question really relates to how and why would you choose one properly rated cap over another.. Sorry to sound difficult, just not understanding at the moment. dan...

A good example is Panasonic's FC and FM series caps. If you look up a particular value of cap (680 uF, 16V) you would see that the FC is rated at 69mOhms ESR, 1.05A ripple current, and 3000 hours at 105°C while the FM is rated at 26 mOhms ESR, 1.79A ripple current, and 4000 hours at 105°C.

Similar differences exist for caps from other manufacturers. Panasonic shows where a particular series fits on a multi-dimensional grid. Size, impedance, ripple, endurance, cost are all interrelated and sometimes the designer must trade off available space against endurance or cost. Of course, this all goes out the window when the purchased caps have little resemblance to the published specs.

Absolute rules - NEVER go down in voltage or capacitance. Go up in capacitance only by one step (680 to 820, for example). Going up in voltage won't buy you anything. ALWAYS check and double check dimensions.

General rules - shoot for the same or lower ESR, same or higher ripple current. Caps can fail without visible signs. If there are 4 identical caps and three of them are visibly bad, replace all of them. Better, replace all caps of the same series. Even better, replace all caps of the same brand unless you check their ESR and they are below specs. Best, don't screw around, replace ALL of the caps.

PlainBill

[dhughens]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

A good example is Panasonic's FC and FM series caps. If you look up a particular value of cap (680 uF, 16V) you would see that the FC is rated at 69mOhms ESR, 1.05A ripple current, and 3000 hours at 105°C while the FM is rated at 26 mOhms ESR, 1.79A ripple current, and 4000 hours at 105°C.

From this I deduce that gd, gc, fj, fl, wg, mbz, mcz, hm, hn, etc, are simply labels or names to identify capacitors, each from its own manufacturer. I.E. like Ford Taurus, Ford Contour, or Dodge Charger, Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger. They are not acronyms, nor do the labels have generic designations as a whole, only manufacture specific. Bottom line, they are just names. Would this be correct?? Thanks again, dan...

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

Yes. And names given by one manufacturer won't match ones by another manufacturer.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

More detailed.
Terms like "Ultra Low" or "Very Low" have no official definitions [no standards set] so they mean whatever the manufacture wants them to mean.

Yes, a capacitor series name is basically just a model line.

You have to look at data sheets to actually compare caps.
There is no quick way other than familiarity over time.

Also:
WITHIN A SERIES - the ESR and Ripple change with the can size, not uF or volts.
.

[dhughens]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

Thanks so much, I can pass the info on. It is a good day, I have learned something new. dan...

[severach]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

There is no "best" capacitor with the lowest possible ESR, smallest size, and longest life. To get more of one you have to give up some of the others. You can get lower ESR and longer life but the capacitor will be bigger.

Check out the the Nichicon capacitor diagrams. The arrows that move you around the chart show what circuit designers can get more of by changing series. The designer can make up for what is lost by putting more in parallel, better cooling, or making a less abusive circuit.

[Pyr0Beast]

Re: Capacitor series meanings


Terms like "Ultra Low" or "Very Low" have no official definitions [no standards set] so they mean whatever the manufacture wants them to mean.

Ultra low
ESR under 0.01Ohm
Low
ESR under 0.1Ohm

But otherwise it is just marketing gibberish

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

Not really because a series that has a wide variety of can sizes might have caps with both 0.01 and 0.1 ESR.

In fact looking at panasonic FC [and just the 16v] the ESR ranges from 2.0 to 0.015 ohms.

[Pyr0Beast]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

Hm, interesting. Incoherent stuff then.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Capacitor series meanings

When you want to compare 'grades' pick a can size [I like 8x20mm or 10x20mm because most all series have those sizes] and check the Ripple/ESR for -that- can size in both series.
-
That isn't really a tool to pick specific caps but it's good way to pick which data sheets to go hunting in.
.