Introduction

In this review, we'll be closely analyzing the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL21A475KBQNNNE, which is a surface-mount ceramic capacitor (Ceramic: X5R) with a nominal value of 4.7μF, a tolerance of ±10%, and a voltage rating of 50V. The main goal is to provide valuable insight to electronics engineers assessing this component's applicability for their circuits. We'll examine the performance of this capacitor and compare its characteristics to the provided statistical benchmark data.

Pros:

• Compact package size: 0805 (2012 Metric)
• Wide test frequency range, resulting in versatile applications
• Lower series resistance at higher frequencies
• Test measurements available at both 1 Volt and 10 Volts

Cons:

• Dissipation factor tends to be higher, leading to a reduced overall efficiency
• Series resistance increases at lower frequencies
• Series capacitance deviates from the nominal value

Impedance

The CL21A475KBQNNNE capacitor's impedance performance is analyzed to understand how it responds at different test frequencies and voltage levels. When tested at a frequency of 5 Hz and 1 Volt input, the capacitor exhibits an impedance of 7.402k Ohms, representing an 18.5% increase compared to the maximum impedance value of the benchmark at the same frequency. This increased impedance may affect the component's efficiency in certain electronic applications, leading to reduced performance.

Moving on to higher frequencies, at 10 Hz and 50 Hz, the impedance values of the CL21A475KBQNNNE still exceed the benchmark's maximum impedance by 17.2% and 15.4%, respectively. Understanding how increased impedance at these frequencies might cause additional energy loss or signal distortion within a circuit is crucial for evaluating the capacitor's suitability in specific applications.

As the test frequency increases further to 1 kHz, the impedance value of the component reduces to 43.37 Ohms, which is within the benchmark range, but is still situated at the upper 3% of the benchmark's impedance spectrum. This trend continues for frequencies between 5 kHz and 50 kHz where the capacitor impedance stays within the allowed range, albeit toward the higher end.

It is important to consider the effect of voltage level on the impedance of the CL21A475KBQNNNE. When subjected to a higher voltage (10 Volts), the impedance values exhibit a notable increase, reaching 4093 Ohms at 10 Hz. This exceeds the maximum benchmark impedance value by approximately 13% at 5 Hz and 10 Hz frequencies. It is crucial to evaluate the potential impact that voltage-dependent impedance variations could have on a circuit's performance, especially for applications that experience fluctuating voltage levels. However, it should be noted that the impedance values once again fall within the benchmark range as the test frequencies increase, albeit trending at the upper bound of the benchmark.

Capacitance

At 1V, the CL21A475KBQNNNE exhibits a lower capacitance across all considered testing frequencies, particularly at higher frequencies. For instance, at a 1MHz frequency, the component's measured capacitance is 3.298μF, while the benchmark average is 4.623μF for the same frequency. It is essential to note that the Samsung capacitor's maximum capacitance falls within the min-max range of the benchmark (4.312μF to 6.087μF) at the low frequency of 5Hz. In this case, the 1V performance highlights potential limitations regarding the component's efficacy in higher frequency applications.

Comparing the 10V LCR measurement data, the measured capacitance is notably better than its 1V counterpart, especially for lower to mid-range frequencies. At a frequency of 100kHz, the CL21A475KBQNNNE's capacitance of 3.095μF falls within the benchmark min-max range of 2.827μF to 4.886μF. However, this value remains below the benchmark average, emphasizing that the component may not be an optimal choice for that particular frequency range.

Overall, when engineers assess the CL21A475KBQNNNE, its underperformance in capacitance at most frequencies, particularly at higher frequencies for the 1V case, should be considered. In the 10V scenario, potential applicability in lower to mid-frequency scenarios is plausible, but the provided data implies that alternative capacitors may provide better performance. A comprehensive understanding of the requirements and specifications for the intended application is crucial when choosing a suitable capacitor, considering factors such as stability in varying temperature environments, voltage rating, and appropriate capacitance value in relation to the operating frequency range.

Series Resistance

The series resistance performance of the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL21A475KBQNNNE, a 4.7μF Ceramic: X5R capacitor, has been analyzed against the statistical benchmark data across a variety of frequencies and applied voltages. The results exhibit a variation in the performance of this component compared to the average values.

Under specific conditions such as an applied voltage of 1 Volt, the series resistance of this capacitor exhibits higher values than the statistical average in low-frequency regions. For instance, at 5Hz, the impedance reaches 430.7Ω, and at 10Hz, the value is 217.3Ω. Conversely, for other frequencies, the capacitor demonstrates near-average performance; the series resistance is 23.65Ω at 100Hz and 4.612Ω at 500Hz.

Similarly, when operating at a higher voltage of 10 Volts, the series resistance measurements reveal a comparable pattern. At 5Hz, its resistance reaches 440Ω, and at 10Hz, the value is 219.7Ω. However, when focusing on other frequency bands, the performance of this capacitor aligns more closely with the benchmark data, evidenced by the series resistances of 29.36Ω at 100Hz and 5.074Ω at 500Hz.

Considering these measurement results, engineers should exercise caution when integrating the CL21A475KBQNNNE capacitor into their circuit designs, especially for applications that require low series resistance at lower frequencies. Careful evaluation of this component's performance data is vital to optimize overall circuit efficiency and performance, as the varied results observed may impact specific applications and design requirements.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

When analyzing the Samsung Electro-Mechanics' Capacitor Ceramic: X5R, part number CL21A475KBQNNNE, it is important to assess the device's performance in terms of dissipation factor (Df) and quality factor (Q) under different test frequencies and voltage conditions. By comparing these parameters to the statistical benchmark data, we can better understand the component's overall performance.

Under the 1 Volt test condition, the capacitor exhibits a general trend of low Df values ranging from approximately 0.045 to 0.062 across the 100 Hz to 1 kHz frequency range. This indicates a relatively efficient energy loss behavior. Furthermore, at frequencies of 1 kHz and beyond, the Df declines to approximately 0.017 at 5 kHz. This reduction demonstrates improved performance compared to the benchmark as the frequency increases, meaning the capacitor becomes more efficient at higher frequencies.

In terms of quality factor performance under the same voltage test condition, the CL21A475KBQNNNE scores quite well when compared to the benchmark. The Q factor in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 1 kHz consistently stays around 16 to 21 points, indicating the energy loss versus energy stored in the capacitor is adequate. In addition, this component's Q value skyrockets to around 60 at 5 kHz and peaks at an impressive 523 at 10 kHz. These results indicate a significant improvement in the quality factor compared to the benchmark at higher frequencies.

When tested under the 10 Volts condition, the CL21A475KBQNNNE still exhibits generally low Df values in most frequency ranges. However, between 100 Hz and 1 kHz, the Df increases to values ranging from 0.072 to 0.081. Although still acceptable, this performance is comparatively poorer against the benchmark in this specific voltage and frequency range. In contrast, the capacitor's quality factor performance remains highly competitive. Whilst maintaining Q values between 13 and 18 points in the 50 Hz to 10 kHz frequency band, the Q value experiences a noteworthy increase to 29.65 at 5 kHz and a remarkably high value of 3906.24 at 20 kHz. These results suggest that the CL21A475KBQNNNE is a highly effective capacitor, particularly at higher frequencies and under the 10 Volts condition.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL21A475KBQNNNE Ceramic X5R Capacitor demonstrates satisfactory performance when compared against the statistical benchmark in most areas. At lower test frequencies and applied voltages, the capacitor features low impedance values and a relatively stable dissipation and quality factor when compared to the benchmark. These aspects help ensure a smooth operation and good overall performance.

However, certain limitations are observed in the performance of this component when compared to the benchmark. At higher frequencies and higher applied voltages, the capacitor's impedance and dissipation factor tend to increase while the quality factor decreases. These limitations may potentially impact the capacitor's effectiveness in noise reduction and voltage regulation applications, requiring designers to carefully consider its application in their respective circuit designs.

To achieve optimum performance, it is crucial to select capacitors that meet or exceed the statistical benchmark for each application’s specific needs. Despite its limitations, the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL21A475KBQNNNE Capacitor can be a suitable option depending on the requirements of a given circuit. We recommend engineers review the component's specifications in conjunction with the provided LCR measurements to determine if it suits their application needs while also evaluating potential alternatives in the market.