Vishay and TDK Expand High-Voltage Capacitor Lines

In electronics, capacitors are essential components that influence the performance and reliability of various systems. TDK and Vishay have added upgraded capacitors to their portfolio. These capacitors, with their high voltage ratings, high ripple current capabilities, and temperature tolerances, have a wide range of potential applications in electronics.

The Vishay 299 PHL-4TSI and TDK xEVCap capacitors are designed for demanding applications. The Vishay 299 PHL-4TSI series features a four-terminal snap-in design, while the TDK xEVCap adopts a scalable and modular approach.

TDK xEVCap capacitors. Image used courtesy courtesy of TDK

Vishay 299 PHL-4TSI Capacitors

Vishay Intertechnology’s 299 PHL-4TSI expands a preexisting portfolio sector. The company developed the line because the range of capacitance-voltage combinations was previously limited. Vishay noticed the gap and now offers 350 V, 500 V, and 600 V-rated capacitors. This expansion will be used in power supplies, industrial environments, and home appliance inverters.

These capacitors are also designed to introduce cost savings. The 299 PHL-4TSI capacitors offer high ripple current ratings from 1.9 amps to 7.6 amps, meaning fewer capacitors can be used, reducing costs. The Vishay 299 PHL-4TSI capacitor also has robust characteristics. Encased in a cylindrical aluminum case and insulated in a blue sleeve, it can operate at 105°C. Vishay also claims that the capacitor has a lifespan of more than 5,000 hours.

The 299 PHL-4TSI capacitor. Image used courtesy of Vishay

The four-terminal snap-in capacitors are designed to replace traditional large screw terminal capacitors that are connected by busbars. Instead of bulky and manually mounted components, the snap-in capacitors can be directly attached to a printed circuit board (PCB). This change significantly lowers construction costs because it allows for automated soldering, which is faster and less labor-intensive than manual mounting.

These capacitors come in larger sizes than standard two-terminal snap-in capacitors, with dimensions from 35 mm x 50 mm to 45 mm x 100 mm. This larger size means they can handle higher currents and store more energy, reducing the number of components needed in a design. Overall, this makes the assembly process more efficient and cost-effective while maintaining high performance.

TDK xEVCap Capacitors

Capacitor designs typically lack efficiency throughout the design process of commercial and off-highway vehicles and machinery tools; they are traditionally fully customized. This can lead to longer development times and increased costs throughout the manufacturing process.

TDK Corporation has considered this issue and released a standardized DC link capacitor with modular capabilities. This feature allows designers to scale or descale capacitance and current requirements quickly. Using a standardized approach, manufacturers no longer have to keep one-off designs in stock. Any capacitance and current requirement can be met by connecting or disconnecting the capacitors in parallel.

TDK designed two variations of the xEVCap: the B25654A*001 and the B25654A*002. The *001 is equipped with lead wires for soldering to busbars or PCBs, while the *002 has flat terminals for welding or screwing to busbars. Both variations have 500, 650, 850, and 920 V ratings available.

If a user is unsure of capacitance requirements, TDK has included the xEVCap capacitors in its TDK CLARA software. This tool allows users to simulate components electrically and thermally under various operating conditions easily.