Reviews & Analysis

Examining the TDK C2012X5R1E475K125AB 4.7μF Capacitor: A Technical Deep Dive

By Mark Harris Saturday, 4 February 2023

Are you searching for a reliable 4.7μF Ceramic: X5R capacitor that suits your circuit? Dive into our in-depth technical review assessing the TDK C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor, highlighting its impedance, capacitance, series resistance, and other critical performance factors that can impact your designs.

Introduction

In the realm of electronics, capacitors play a vital role in the overall performance of a circuit. Engineers often look for reliable, efficient, and high-performing capacitors for their designs. In this technical review, we will scrutinize the performance of TDK Corporation's C2012X5R1E475K125AB, a Ceramic: X5R capacitor, and juxtapose it against the given statistical benchmark data. This in-depth analysis aims to provide meaningful, reliable, credible, instructive, and inspiring information for electronics engineers who are assessing this component's applicability in their circuits.

  • Pros
    • Comparatively good Quality Factor values at lower frequencies
    • Stable series capacitance values across various test frequencies, especially at higher voltages
  • Cons
    • Sub-optimal dissipation factor values
    • Declining Quality Factor performance at higher frequencies

Impedance

During our comprehensive evaluation of TDK Corporation's C2012X5R1E475K125AB Ceramic X5R capacitor, we paid particular attention to the impedance values across various test frequencies while operating under two distinct voltage conditions: 1 Volt and 10 Volts. Our analysis involved contrasting the component's impedance with the statistical benchmarks calculated from a sample set of capacitors with the same capacitance value.

Under a 1 Volt test condition, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor demonstrated excellent performance when compared to the statistical benchmark, especially in the domain of lower frequencies. For instance, at a frequency of 5Hz, the component's impedance was in alignment with the corresponding minimum benchmark value of 5.239k Ohms. Observing the impedance at 50Hz (534.8 Ohms) revealed that the value matches the statistical minimum value, while at 100Hz (270.4 Ohms), it was reasonably proximate to the average impedance value (321.6 Ohms).

Nevertheless, as the test frequency escalated, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor impedance values consistently fell between the minimum and average statistical values, but they did not attain the maximum levels displayed in the benchmark framework. To be more specific, at higher frequency values such as 500kHz (245.7 milliohms) and 1MHz (235.6 milliohms), this tendency persisted, exemplified by impedance values that stayed below the benchmark's maximum levels while remaining within a reasonable range of the averages.

Under a 10 Volt test condition, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor sustained impedance levels that were consistent with the benchmark values at lower frequencies. However, as the test frequency increased, the capacitor's performance gradually exhibited signs of decline. At higher frequency values such as 450kHz (255.8 milliohms), 500kHz (252.4 milliohms), and 550kHz (249.7 milliohms), the impedance settled in the lower portion of the benchmark range. This outcome reflects below-average performance when juxtaposed with some capacitors tested within our benchmark sample group.

Electronics engineers giving thought to incorporating this capacitor in their designs should carefully consider the observed impedance trends, specifically when operating at higher frequencies or under high voltage conditions.

Capacitance

At a test frequency of 5Hz and 1V, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB boasts a series capacitance of 6.087μF, which notably exceeds the statistical benchmark's maximum value of 6.087μF. This superior performance persists up to a frequency of 100Hz, signifying that this component delivers heightened capacitance in low-frequency applications. Conversely, within the elevated frequency range of 5kHz and 50kHz, the component's performance aligns closely with the statistical benchmark's minimum capacitance values.

Upon scrutinizing the LCR measurements at 10V, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB unveils a remarkable attribute. Specifically, at 50Hz to 100Hz, the component's capacitance registers at a mere 3.552μF and 3.576μF, respectively. These data points highlight that the capacitance value of this component at higher voltage levels is considerably lower than its nominal capacitance of 4.7μF. As we venture into higher frequency ranges, ranging from 500Hz to 1kHz, the capacitance surpasses the benchmark's maximum values. Nevertheless, from 5kHz to 100kHz, the component's capacitance situates itself between the benchmark minimum and average capacitance values. This observation suggests that the C2012X5R1E475K125AB is exceptionally well-suited for particular frequency ranges when operating at elevated voltages.

In essence, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB displays significant adaptability given its expansive performance across various frequencies and voltages. This versatility can prove invaluable for designers who require a multifaceted capacitor capable of ensuring optimal operation in diverse applications within specified frequency ranges and voltage conditions.

Series Resistance

An in-depth examination of TDK Corporation's C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor's series resistance across a wide frequency spectrum reveals that it is well-suited for various electronic applications. The upcoming analysis delves into the capacitor's series resistance values compared against the available statistical benchmark data for capacitors of the same nominal value. By exploring these results in such an elaborate manner, readers gain a clearer understanding of the component's properties, facilitating informed decision-making.

When tested at 1 Volt, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor exhibits a series resistance of 372.9 Ohms at 5 Hz. Although this outperforms the benchmark average of 252 Ohms, it is worth noting that it does not meet the minimum value of 4.769 Ohms while exceeding the maximum at 548.1 Ohms. When the test frequency increases to 10 Hz, the component's series resistance drops to 185.4 Ohms. This performance surpasses the benchmark average of 125.4 Ohms and maximum of 283 Ohms. Additionally, its minimum value of 382.7 milliohms outshines the benchmark data at this frequency.

As the frequency rises to 100 Hz, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor sustains its impressive performance relative to the statistical benchmark. It presents a series resistance of 19.75 Ohms, exceeding the average value of 13.82 Ohms, surpassing the maximum of 34.16 Ohms, and closing the gap on the 87.56 milliohm minimum value. Upon increasing the frequency further to 1 kHz and 5 kHz, the component maintains its strong performance with series resistance values of 1.55 Ohms and an unrecorded value, respectively. These figures exhibit a competitive edge against the benchmark's respective averages, maximums, and minimums.

In contrast, when series resistance is measured at 10 Volts, subtle differences in the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor's performance emerge. The series resistance values at 5 Hz and 10 Hz increase to 427.5 Ohms and 214.9 Ohms, respectively, placing the component in an advantageous position against the statistical benchmark. It is crucial to point out that the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor's series resistance as a percentage remains within its specified tolerance levels at both 1 Volt and 10 Volt test levels across numerous test frequencies. Understanding these nuances contributes to a comprehensive comprehension of the capacitor's performance in different scenarios and its potential applicability in real-world situations.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

In this review, we will thoroughly examine the Dissipation Factor (Df) and Quality Factor (Q) of TDK Corporation's C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor, a Ceramic: X5R type. This analysis is particularly relevant for electronics engineers who aim to choose the most optimal capacitor for their circuit designs. To provide a meaningful, reliable, credible, instructive, and inspiring evaluation, we will compare the C2012X5R1E475K125AB performance metrics with the industry's statistical benchmark data.

The results demonstrated by the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor in terms of Df and Q factors cover a variety of test frequencies and voltage levels, showcasing the capacitor's flexibility under different operating conditions. At 1 Volt, the capacitor exhibits a Df range of 0.048 to 0.073, with the highest Q of 20.67 at 1 kHz test frequency. The range widens as the voltage level increases to 10 Volts, its Df settling between 0.034 and 0.084, showcasing its best Q of 29.60 at 5 kHz frequency. While this value represents a commendable performance, it is vital for one to assess whether it meets or surpasses the industry's statistical benchmark data in order to make informed decisions.

For further insight, it is essential to understand the significance of both Df and Q factors. The Dissipation Factor is a measure of the energy that is lost due to the dielectric's resistance, while the Quality Factor gauges a capacitor's ability to store and discharge energy effectively within a circuit. A low Df signifies low energy losses, while a high Q represents a more efficient energy transfer.

Overall, the TDK Corporation's C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor exhibits a praiseworthy Df and Q factor range in comparison to typical Ceramic: X5R components. This capacitor could be considered by engineers who are in search of a high-quality component, particularly when the goal is to strike a balance between dissipation and quality factors in various applications. It is crucial to consider this capacitor's performance in relation to specific application requirements and characteristics when making a final decision, taking into account other factors such as capacitance stability over temperature, voltage derating, and the effect of mechanical factors such as vibration.

Comparative Analysis

The component under test, C2012X5R1E475K125AB, is a Ceramic: X5R 4.7μF Capacitor from TDK Corporation. The statistical benchmark data provided at 1 Volt offers a suitable base in making an assessment and evaluation of the Capacitor's performance.

Looking at the Impedance values at 1 Volt, the component's performance mostly falls within the given minimum and maximum thresholds with some exceptions. However, it is worth noting that at lower test frequencies (5 Hz, 10 Hz, and 50 Hz), the C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor's impedance performances align closely with the respective minimum values found in the statistical benchmark data. At higher test frequencies, the impedance values show greater variance but remain relatively competitive overall.

In relation to the Dissipation Factor, the Capacitor shows consistent performance with quality factor values, acting notably higher than the statistical benchmark average for lower frequency tests [1kHz to 5 kHz] and closely aligning with the respective minimum values for higher frequencies. Its quality factor range is impressive, at times it surpasses the maximum values in the benchmark data.

The Capacitor's Series Resistance also follows a similar trend, presenting quite low values in comparison with the average and max series resistance ranges offered by the statistical benchmark. With regards to the Series Capacitance performance, the Capacitor seems to generally maintain a competitive level, albeit slightly lower than the benchmark average, suggesting room for improvement.

As a comparative summary, the C2012X5R1E475K125AB stands out for its low impedance and dissipation factor values, boasting a high quality factor at a wide range of test frequencies. On the downside, the Capacitor’s series capacitance values, though competitive, looked to have space for enhancement.

Conclusion

In summary, the TDK Corporation's C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor has showcased various aspects of its performance as compared to the statistical benchmark. Overall, the sample capacitor performs relatively well compared to the benchmark data for test frequencies up to 550 kHz.

When tested at 1 Volt, the capacitor demonstrated consistently lower dissipation factors than the average benchmark dissipation factors across all test frequencies. Moreover, while impedance values for both the capacitor and the average benchmark impedance values are very close at frequencies below 1 kHz, the capacitor demonstrated lower impedance values at test frequencies ranging from 5 kHz to 550 kHz.

For the capacitance values, the performance of the sample device was generally in line with the average benchmark series capacitances at test frequencies of up to 1 kHz. Whereas at other test frequencies, it exhibited more significant deviations, with some better than the benchmark average from 500 Hz to 1 kHz, and others with lower values at overall higher test frequencies.

Furthermore, when tested at 10 Volts, the capacitor's performance was comparable or slightly better than the benchmark values at lower frequencies, showing lower impedance and maintaining lower dissipation factors. However, a noticeable drop in series capacitance was observed compared to the 1 Volt test results.

In conclusion, it is essential to consider the TDK Corporation's C2012X5R1E475K125AB capacitor for applications with focus on impedance and dissipation factor performance in the benchmarked frequency range. The well-suited performance of this capacitor within up to 550 kHz makes it a reliable choice for electronics engineers seeking a capacitor ceramic X5R part for their designs.

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