Reviews & Analysis

Analyzing Murata Electronics GRM155R71E104KE14D X7R Ceramic Capacitor: Is It the Right Choice?

By Mark Harris Tuesday, 11 April 2023

Discover the exceptional performance of Murata Electronics' GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor in this comprehensive review. Discern factors such as the impedance, capacitance, series resistance, and more, providing valuable information crucial for electronics engineers. Dive into the comparative analysis that demonstrates how well the 100n X7R ceramic capacitor meets diverse circuit requirements.

Introduction

The Murata Electronics GRM155R71E104KE14D is a 100nF ceramic capacitor with a voltage rating of 25V and a ±10% tolerance, featuring the X7R dielectric. This component's performance was assessed by comparing it to a statistical benchmark formed from similar components of the same value. Our technical review will provide an in-depth analysis of the following parameters: capacitance, series resistance, dissipation factor, and quality factor.

Key pros and cons observed during this analysis include:

  • Pros:
  • Stable capacitance up to 100 kHz
  • Good quality factor at lower frequencies (5 kHz - 100 kHz)
  • Compact 0402 (1005 Metric) package for surface mount applications
Cons:
  • Declining quality factor above 100 kHz
  • Dissipation factor increases at higher frequencies or voltage conditions

Overall, capacitor performance varies depending on test frequency and voltage. Bear in mind that certain applications may require specific performance levels, making it crucial to choose the appropriate capacitor considering all variables. The following sections will provide a detailed analysis while comparing the GRM155R71E104KE14D to the industry benchmark.

Impedance

The Murata Electronics GRM155R71E104KE14D Capacitor exhibits an impedance profile that shows some variation when compared to the provided statistical benchmark. At a test frequency of 5Hz and 1 Volt, the GRM155R71E104KE14D yields an impedance of 320.6k Ohms, which is higher than the statistical average impedance of 313.4k Ohms, yet still remaining within the range of 278k-345.9k Ohms. When tested at 10Hz and 1 Volt, the impedance measurement is 160.7k Ohms, slightly above the 157.2k Ohm average impedance and well within the 139.3k-173k Ohm range. At higher frequencies, such as 50kHz, the GRM155R71E104KE14D falls closer to the statistical average with an impedance of 34.48 Ohms compared to the benchmark average of 34.91 Ohms. These results indicate that the GRM155R71E104KE14D generally performs near the statistical benchmarks across varying frequencies, demonstrating its capability to work effectively under different conditions.

When the LCR measurements of the GRM155R71E104KE14D are performed at 10 Volts, additional trends become apparent. At the lower frequency of 5Hz, the GRM155R71E104KE14D exhibits an impedance of 297.3k Ohms which is noticeably less than its reading of 320.6k Ohms at 1 Volt, but still within the benchmark min-max range, an indication that the GRM155R71E104KE14D can accommodate changes in voltage levels. The 10Hz measurement also sees a decrease in impedance to 150.1k Ohms at 10 Volts compared to 160.7k Ohms at 1 Volt, yet still maintaining a performance level near the statistical benchmark. Likewise, higher frequencies such as 50 kHz also indicate a reduction in impedance when measured at 10 Volts versus 1 Volt (30.28 Ohms vs. 34.48 Ohms), suggesting that the GRM155R71E104KE14D's impedance response might be slightly influenced by the voltage level, allowing for some flexibility in its application across different voltage requirements.

Capacitance

Based on the provided LCR measurements at 1 volt, we can observe that the series capacitance of GRM155R71E104KE14D, a Ceramic X7R capacitor, varies slightly with frequency. However, compared to the statistical benchmark at similar conditions, the capacitor tends to have slightly lower capacitance values across the entire frequency range. At 5 kHz, this capacitor registers a capacitance of 96.36 nF, while the benchmark average stands at 97.93 nF. In the higher frequencies such as 1 MHz, the difference shrinks, with GRM155R71E104KE14D having a capacitance of 87.91 nF, marginally lower than the benchmark average of 88.4 nF.

When the voltage is increased to 10 volts, the GRM155R71E104KE14D series capacitance remains relatively stable within the tested frequency range. Interestingly, the capacitance at 10 volts seems higher than its initial starting point compared to the 1-volt data. For example, at 50 kHz, the capacitor records a capacitance of 100.1 nF under 10 volts, which is higher than the benchmark test at 91.32 nF.

On examining the data, it appears that the GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor performs reasonably well concerning its Ceramic X7R counterparts but has a slightly lower capacitance when compared to the average benchmark series capacitance values. Despite this fact, it is essential to emphasize that capacitors have tolerances, which, in the case of an X7R dielectric, can be as high as ±15%. Therefore, variations in capacitance should be expected and compensated for during the design phase of electronic circuits and systems.

Since the component offers consistent performance throughout different voltage and frequency ranges, it may still be a suitable choice depending on specific engineering requirements and tolerances for particular applications. Proper consideration of impedance, temperature stability, and possible impact on overall circuit performance is crucial when selecting appropriate capacitors to ensure optimal functionality and reliability.

Series Resistance

The performance of Murata Electronics' GRM155R71E104KE14D Ceramic: X7R capacitor was analyzed, specifically focusing on its equivalent series resistance (ESR) in comparison to the provided Statistical Benchmark data.

For the 1 Volt test, the capacitor demonstrates varying performance when compared to the established benchmark. At low frequencies, such as 5 kHz and 10 kHz, the ESR falls within the respective benchmark range (5.886k <8.751k, 2.882k < 4.329k). However, as the test frequency increases, the capacitor deviates from the average performance of other components with the same nominal value.

At 100 kHz, the GRM155R71E104KE14D ESR measures at 255m Ohms, which is below the average benchmark of 491m Ohms. This lower ESR can be advantageous, as it results in less heat generation and lower power losses in high-frequency applications. This trend continues as the test frequency increases, with the component consistently performing below both average and minimum benchmark values, resulting in a notable gap between the component's capacitor and the Statistical Benchmark data. For instance, at 500 kHz, the ESR measures at 55.06m Ohms compared to the benchmark average of 107m Ohms.

When examining the capacitor's performance under test at different voltages, such as 10 Volts, the overall trend observed remains the same: the component performs differently from the Statistical Benchmark as the frequencies increase, consistently staying below both average and minimum benchmark values at higher frequencies. This consistent low ESR across higher frequencies suggests that the GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor can provide improved performance in applications with high-frequency switching or rapid voltage changes, such as in power supplies or RF circuits.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

The Murata Electronics GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor exhibits both low dissipation factor (Df) and high quality factor (Q) under various test frequencies and voltages. This performance is important to consider when evaluating capacitors for electronic designs where energy losses should be minimized and stability is essential.

Comparing the LCR measurements at 1 Volt, we see that the GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor presents a low Df in the range of 0.014 to 0.019 across different test frequencies, which is a positive attribute as low Df signifies reduced energy losses within the capacitor. Meanwhile, it maintains a high Q, oscillating between 54.41 and 72.15. Higher quality factors indicate better efficiency and lower losses in resonant circuits, making it suitable for use in applications like filters and oscillators.

When examining the LCR measurements at 10 Volts, we notice a similar trend. The Df values fall between 0.023 and 0.052, and the Q values lie between 19.10 and 42.95. These results showcase the capacitor's solid performance under varying voltages, demonstrating its capability to operate at higher voltages without significant degradation of its primary characteristics.

It is essential to note, however, that the overall performance of the component shows some variation when compared against the statistical benchmark data. A thorough analysis of the capacitor's performance data is advised to draw a comprehensive conclusion. Considering the uncertainties and tolerances of each individual measurement is crucial before making decisions regarding a component's suitability for specific applications. So, engineers should take into account these results alongside the benchmark data for a well-informed decision regarding the capacitor's suitability in their designs.

Comparative Analysis

In this comparative analysis, we will discuss the performance of the Murata Electronics GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor in comparison to the provided statistical benchmark data. The Murata capacitor is a ceramic X7R type capacitor with a nominal value of 100nF and a voltage rating of 25V. The performance analysis is based on LCR measurements taken at 1 Volt and 10 Volts.

At 1 Volt and test frequencies ranging from 5 Hz to 1 MHz, the Murata capacitor largely exhibits higher impedance values compared to the average impedance values of the statistical benchmark. For example, at test frequencies of 100 Hz, 1 kHz, and 100 kHz, the capacitor's impedance values are 16.21 kΩ, 1.637 kΩ, and 17.53 Ω, respectively, compared to the average impedance values of the benchmark at 15.9 kΩ, 1.61 kΩ, and 18.07 Ω. The difference in impedance values becomes smaller as the frequency increases, indicating that the Murata capacitor is more suitable for high-frequency applications.

When comparing the Murata capacitor's dissipation factor (DF) values to the benchmark's average DF values, it can be observed that the DF of the capacitor is generally higher. For instance, at test frequencies of 5 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1 MHz, the capacitor's DF values are 0.020, 0.014, and 0.019, respectively, compared to the benchmark's average DF values of 0.03, 0.03, and 0.04. This implies that the Murata capacitor may exhibit slightly higher power losses compared to capacitors in the benchmark data.

The quality factor (Q) values of the Murata capacitor at 1 Volt are consistently lower than the average Q values of the benchmark data. This indicates that the capacitor may not perform as well as other capacitors in the benchmark, especially in applications where high-quality components are desired.

When evaluating the LCR measurements at 10 Volts, similar trends are observed, with the Murata capacitor demonstrating higher impedance values and lower Q values compared to the benchmark data. The DF values at this voltage are generally comparable to the benchmark's average DF values.

In conclusion, the Murata GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor exhibits higher impedance values and lower quality factors when compared to the statistical benchmark data, making it a potentially less desirable choice for certain applications. However, it may still be suitable for high-frequency applications or in scenarios where the slightly lower quality factor and higher dissipation factor are not critical factors in the overall performance of a product.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Murata Electronics GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor, with a nominal value of 100n and a 25V voltage rating, demonstrates satisfactory performance when compared to the statistical benchmark data for Ceramic: X7R capacitors of the same value. The capacitance of the tested component falls notably close to the average Series Capacitance (Farads) at several test frequencies, indicating good consistency and reliability in performance.

The Impedance (Ohms) of the GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor varies as expected across test frequencies, with the measurements generally in line with the average impedance values from the benchmark. Furthermore, this capacitor shows a reasonable Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor when compared to the statistical benchmark data, highlighting its efficacy in managing power dissipation and energy storage, respectively. The Series Resistance (Ohms) of the component also displays similar trends with the average benchmark values, reflecting its competence in withstanding voltage in electronic circuits. It is important to note that there is data missing for the test frequencies from 700 kHz to 1 MHz at 10 Volts, and therefore an accurate conclusion on its actual performance for those specific test frequencies cannot be made.

Overall, the GRM155R71E104KE14D capacitor performs adequately against the statistical benchmark data across a majority of test frequencies at both 1 Volt and 10 Volts. As a result, qualified engineers evaluating this capacitor for use in their circuits should consider implementing this component within their designs, provided that its performance characteristics align with their specific project requirements and constraints.

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