Introduction

In this review, we dive into the performance of the Niobium Oxide Capacitor manufactured by KYOCERA AVX, part number NOJC476M010RWJ. This surface mount capacitor features a nominal value of 47μF and a tolerance of ±20%. Tested at two different voltages (1V and 10V), the following pros and cons provide a snapshot of its performance in relation to the statistical benchmark data.

• Pros:
  • Low impedance at higher test frequencies
  • Wide test frequency range (5Hz to 1MHz)
  • Relatively stable series capacitance across test frequencies
• Cons:
  • High dissipation factor for some frequencies
  • Suboptimal quality factor at various test frequencies
  • Nonlinear performance characteristics as voltage change

This analysis presents a comprehensive deep-dive into the performance of the NOJC476M010RWJ Capacitor, comparing its metric data with the benchmark data. The intricate nature of this capacitor leaves engineers with the vital task of determining whether it is an optimal choice or not, depending on their application requirement.

Impedance

Examining the performance of the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor, one can observe that its impedance varies across different test frequencies. Let us first analyze its behavior at lower voltages, specifically at 1 Volt. Here, we find that the capacitor's impedance measured at various frequencies is comparable to the benchmark's average impedance. Low-frequency performance, such as at 5Hz and 10Hz, has the impedance values of 655.6 Ohms and 339.5 Ohms, respectively, which are close to the benchmark's average impedance (656.9 Ohms at 5Hz and 332.8 Ohms at 10Hz). However, as the frequency increases, a divergence between the capacitor and the benchmark becomes apparent. For instance, at 50Hz and 100Hz, the measured impedance values are 71.29 Ohms and 36.01 Ohms, while the respective benchmark averages are 69.54 Ohms and 35.87 Ohms.

Inspecting the higher frequency range, we can emphasize this divergence even more. At 1kHz, the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor offers an impedance of 3.718 Ohms, which is notably lower than the benchmark average of 4.046 Ohms. This discrepancy widens at 10kHz, where the component exhibits an impedance of 476.2m Ohms, while the benchmark's average is 637.7m Ohms. Comparatively, at 50kHz, the impedance value measures 230.3m Ohms, which is substantially below the benchmark average of 344.1m Ohms. This trend of operating with lower impedance than the benchmark continues to hold true for most of the higher frequency ranges, highlighting the performance strengths of this capacitor in certain applications.

Next, let us consider the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor's impedance performance while operating at a higher voltage, specifically at 10 Volts. Here, we can observe a consistent trend of lower impedance across numerous test frequencies. For instance, at 5Hz and 10Hz, the impedance values measure 124.6 Ohms and 114.1 Ohms, respectively, outperforming the benchmark in these ranges. Furthermore, at 50Hz, the capacitor delivers an impedance value of 52.97 Ohms, while at 100Hz, it registers 31.9 Ohms, both of which lie below the benchmark averages. This consistent trend of exhibiting reduced impedance across most test frequency ranges makes the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor a compelling choice for configurations that require reduced impedance at higher frequency levels.

Capacitance

The NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor's performance is commendable up to the 50 kHz frequency mark when subjected to 1 Volt, as its series capacitance values fall within proximity to the industry benchmark averages. To elucidate this point, let us consider the recorded capacitance values at 5 kHz, 10 kHz, and 20 kHz, which were 41.3 μF, 39 μF, and 34.37 μF, respectively. Comparatively, the benchmark averages were 38.46 μF, 37.07 μF, and 35.09 μF at those frequencies, indicating that this capacitor's performance stands up to scrutiny in this range.

Nonetheless, the component's performance becomes increasingly suboptimal as the frequency surpasses 50 kHz, exhibiting consistently lower capacitance values than benchmark averages. This indicates that the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor makes certain trade-offs in terms of performance to accommodate other aspects like dielectric material, case size, or temperature stability.

When the voltage is increased to 10 Volts, a similar pattern of performance can be observed. The component's capacitance measurements remain competitive with benchmark averages within the lower frequency range (up to 50 kHz), but deviate more significantly at higher frequencies. This could indicate that the capacitor has either a higher internal resistance or suboptimal frequency response properties at these voltage levels.

Despite this, the component does exhibit some noteworthy performance in specific areas, such as an impressive 900 μF capacitance value at the 5 Hz frequency test. However, its consistently diminished output at higher frequencies may present challenges in applications where high-frequency capacitance stability is essential. Electronic engineers would need to consider these factors meticulously when designing circuitry that may utilize the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor, particularly in high-frequency applications.

Series Resistance

The NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor, when tested at 1 Volt, exhibits a higher series resistance at lower frequency ranges, specifically at 5 Hz and 10 Hz, in comparison to the average performance of similar components within the benchmark. To illustrate, the series resistance of the capacitor at 5 Hz is at a considerable 161.9 Ohms, significantly surpassing the benchmark's average of 44.75 Ohms. Likewise, the measured series resistance amounts to 49.2 Ohms at 10 Hz, which is drastically larger than the 18.59 Ohms benchmark average.

However, as the frequency ranges increase (50 Hz to 1 MHz), the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor presents a more competitive performance concerning series resistance, generally outperforming the corresponding benchmark averages. This is evident from the capacitor's series resistance of 1.932 Ohms at 50 Hz compared to the benchmark's average of 3.037 Ohms, 1.004 Ohms at 100 Hz against the benchmark's 1.704 Ohms, with a continuing noteworthy improvement up to 1 MHz. At 1 MHz, the capacitor's series resistance marks 98.25m Ohms, while the benchmark average is measured to be 280.2m Ohms.

When tested at 10 Volts, the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor demonstrates a similar trend in series resistance. It begins with a higher resistance at lower frequencies, such as 5 Hz (119.9 Ohms) and 10 Hz (99.59 Ohms), but then exhibits considerably better performance within the higher frequency range (50 Hz to 650 kHz). It is significant to note that from 700 kHz to 1 MHz, the available series resistance data for comparison is unfortunately lacking.

Overall, despite the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor's relatively poor performance at lower frequencies (5 Hz and 10 Hz), it showcases remarkable capabilities within the higher frequency ranges through decreased series resistance. Consequently, for engineers who require capacitors with exceptional performance in high-frequency applications, the NOJC476M010RWJ emerges as a viable option, as it consistently surpasses the benchmark averages across the analyzed spectrum in terms of series resistance values.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

The dissipation factor (Df) and quality factor (Q) are important parameters that offer insights into the energy loss and efficiency of a capacitor. In this evaluation, the KYOCERA AVX NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor's performance has been tested at different voltages and frequencies to provide a comprehensive understanding of these factors.

For an input voltage of 1 V, the capacitor displayed satisfactory results. At a low frequency of 5 Hz, the Df was 0.278, which significantly improved to 0.027 at 50 Hz and depicted a steady trend with a value of 0.028 at 100 Hz. These results indicate that the capacitor performs consistently in low-frequency situations. However, a deterioration in performance was evident as the frequency increased: at 1 MHz, a high Df of 8.560 was observed, and the Q factor deteriorated from its maximum of 36.78 at 50 Hz to just 0.12 at 1 MHz.

In contrast to the 1 V test, the capacitor's performance at higher voltages of 10 V was less impressive across various frequencies. The Df values started at 3.411 at 5 Hz and rose further to 4.237 at 550 kHz. Alongside this, the Q factor dropped from 0.29 at 5 Hz to a mere 0.24 at 550 kHz. These results expose the capacitor's struggle to maintain efficiency in high voltage situations. It is important to note that a lack of data points beyond 550 kHz creates an information gap that hinders the complete evaluation.

Despite the observed limitations in high voltage and frequency scenarios, the KYOCERA AVX NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor's performance is notably commendable in maintaining low Df values and appreciable Q factors at lower frequencies. This characteristic sets the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor apart in the realm of Niobium Oxide capacitors, particularly when comparing functionality under the lower frequency conditions.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

After an extensive and comprehensive analysis of the data provided for KYOCERA AVX's NOJC476M010RWJ Capacitor with Niobium Oxide composition, we have found several notable aspects compared to the statistical benchmark formed from other capacitors with the same rated target value of 47μF, such as varying levels of impedance, dissipation factor, and series resistance, ultimately assisting electronics engineers in determining whether they should incorporate the capacitor in their designs.

At a test voltage of 1V, NOJC476M010RWJ exhibits acceptable performance across various metrics, such as impedance and series resistance, ranking somewhat close to the benchmark average values. However, the dissipation factor displayed is generally higher than that observed in the benchmark, indicating a higher energy loss. This can be attributed to the capacitor's Niobium Oxide composition.

When evaluated at higher test voltages (i.e., 10V), the capacitor shows a dramatic increase in performance, with impedance and series resistance values deviating further from the benchmark and reaching closer to their optimal range. Dissipation factor and Quality Factor, however, still remain disadvantageous in comparison to the benchmark values.

In conclusion, the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor by KYOCERA AVX showcases mixed performance when compared to the statistical benchmark comprised of capacitors with the same nominal value of 47μF. While it demonstrates positive results in aspects such as impedance and series resistance, engineers should be cautious when evaluating the capacitor at higher test voltages and critically consider its high dissipation factor. Overall, the NOJC476M010RWJ capacitor may not be the best selection for applications demanding low energy loss. Electronics engineers should weigh the advantages and drawbacks revealed throughout our meticulous analysis and reflect on their requirements before deciding on KYOCERA AVX's NOJC476M010RWJ Capacitor for their designs.