Reviews & Analysis

How Does TDK Corporation's C3216X6S1A476M160AC Capacitor Stack Up Among Its Peers? A Detailed Analysis

By Mark Harris Wednesday, 26 April 2023

Dive into the comprehensive performance review of TDK Corporation's Ceramic X6S Capacitor, known for its dependable high-capacitance across varying temperatures and frequencies. This 47μF surface mount capacitor offers robust characteristics and the potential to make a noticeable difference to your electronic circuit, earning close consideration.

Introduction

In this insightful review, we will analyze the performance of the TDK Corporation's C3216X6S1A476M160AC Capacitor, which belongs to the Ceramic: X6S family. This capacitor is unique for its surface mount design and 1206 (3216 metric) package. This review will focus on comparing this specific capacitor with the statistical benchmark data created from other components of the same value. The goal is to provide engineers with a credible review that allows informed decision-making regarding the optimal choice for their applications.

The TDK Corporation's C3216X6S1A476M160AC has been evaluated for its capacitance, series resistance, dissipation factor, and quality factor with LCR measurements taken at 1 and 10 Volts under various frequencies. Pros and cons have been highlighted:

Pros:
  • The component maintains stable capacitance and impedance properties at a wide range of frequencies;
  • LCD Measurements indicate that the capacitor shows relatively low parasitic inductance and resistance values.

Cons:
  • At higher frequencies, the quality factor significantly drops;
  • When comparing the component with the statistical benchmark data, its performance falters on a few parameters such as dissipation factor and quality factor.

This review serves as an introduction to the in-depth discussions about the Capacitor's performance across different parameters. Upcoming sections, including Capacitance, Series Resistance, Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor, and Comparative Analysis, will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the TDK Corporation's C3216X6S1A476M160AC Capacitor relative to the benchmark data.

Impedance

In analyzing the impedance performance of the TDK Corporation's C3216X6S1A476M160AC, LCR measurements are provided at both 1 Volt and 10 Volts across a range of test frequencies. By juxtaposing the component data with statistical benchmark data, we can gain insightful information about the suitability of this component for various circuits and evaluate its performance under different conditions.

At 1 Volt test frequency, the average impedance of comparable components is 656.9 Ohms at 5 Hz, while the C3216X6S1A476M160AC measures slightly higher at 672.9 Ohms. It is important to note that this small difference may not have a significant impact on the overall performance of the component. As the test frequency increases, the impedance disparity narrows down - at 50 Hz, the component measures 72.24 Ohms as compared to the benchmark average of 69.54 Ohms. Furthermore, at 1 kHz, the component reads 4.56 Ohms, which is very close to the benchmark average of 4.046 Ohms. This demonstrates that the C3216X6S1A476M160AC performs relatively similar to the statistical benchmark at 1 Volt testing and highlights its effectiveness in applications that operate in that voltage range.

Moving on to the measurements at 10 Volts, there is a disparity in impedance performance when compared to the statistical benchmark at the lower frequency range. At 5 Hz, the impedance of the C3216X6S1A476M160AC is 1.235 kOhms, considerably more than the low-frequency benchmark range of 539.4-783 Ohms. Moreover, with the increase in frequency, the component exhibits impedance values appreciatively closer to the benchmark, such as 41.01 Ohms at 100 Hz and 3.927 Ohms at 1 kHz. These results indicate that, within the higher frequency range, the C3216X6S1A476M160AC's performance becomes increasingly more similar to the benchmark, providing critical information for engineers during the component selection process.

In summary, the C3216X6S1A476M160AC performs relatively close to the statistical benchmark at higher test frequencies, particularly in the 1 Volt testing range. However, at lower test frequencies and 10 Volt testing, the impedance performance may not be optimal when compared to the statistical benchmark. Thus, engineers should carefully evaluate the expected frequency ranges and voltage conditions for their circuits when considering the suitability of the C3216X6S1A476M160AC. By providing a comprehensive analysis of the impedance performance, this review offers valuable insights that contribute to better decision-making in component selection for electronic design engineers.

Capacitance

In our in-depth analysis of the C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor, we primarily focused on the capacitance values at both 1 Volt (V) and 10V test conditions. A comprehensive comparison was made to the statistical benchmark data of similar components within the industry. The test frequencies covered a wide range, from as low as 5 Hz up to 1 MHz.

Upon investigating the capacitance values measured at 1V, the C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor demonstrates that it tends to follow the capacitance trend within the average series capacitance values from the provided benchmark data. Although some data points closely approach the maximum values, as observed at 200kHz and 600kHz, most of the measurements primarily stay within the average range. Interestingly, at frequencies below 700kHz, the capacitor exhibits higher-than-average capacitance values when compared to the provided benchmark data. This is advantageous as it indicates better response in those frequency ranges.

Switching our focus to the 10 V LCR measurements, a significant rise in capacitance values can be observed at specific frequency increments. At 50kHz, 200kHz, and 300kHz, these values surpass the average range provided in the statistical benchmark data. This suggests higher performance capabilities for this specific capacitor, making it a potential standout choice in certain applications. The most dramatic increase is observed at around 450kHz, where the value reaches an impressive 256.3μF. This remarkable performance should be taken into account by electronic designers when assessing the suitability of this capacitor for incorporation into their circuit designs.

With these technical insights, the C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor appears to deliver commendable performance, particularly in specific frequency ranges, while maintaining general consistency with industry benchmarks. This level of detail allows for designers to make well-informed decisions on whether this capacitor would be an appropriate candidate based on their needs and circuit requirements.

Series Resistance

The C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor exhibits varying series resistance performance across different frequencies. At lower frequencies, its series resistance values fall between the benchmark minimum and average values. For instance, at 5 Hz, the benchmark minimum is 8.597 Ohms, the average stands at 44.75 Ohms, and the tested capacitor presents a series resistance of 42.84 Ohms. Similarly, at 10 Hz, the component's value of 21.59 Ohms is fairly close to the 18.59 Ohm benchmark average, which highlights a commendable performance at these lower frequencies. As the frequency increases, the capacitor's series resistance demonstrates a trend of falling below the average benchmark values. For example, at 100 kHz, the series resistance of this particular capacitor is 14.31m Ohms, significantly lower than the benchmark average of 298.3m Ohms. This impressive performance at high frequencies suggests that the C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor can be a suitable choice for high-frequency applications. It is, however, essential to consider that at specific high frequencies, such as 700 kHz, the component's series resistance value (13.84m Ohms) trends slightly above the minimum benchmark (4.824m Ohms). This observation points out that there might be some room for improvement in the capacitor's performance at certain frequencies. In summary, the C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor presents a remarkable performance in terms of series resistance, particularly at higher frequencies. Electronics engineers should meticulously assess their specific circuit requirements and application scenarios when choosing this capacitor to ensure the optimal fitment of the component within their designs. By taking into account the entire range of the capacitor's series resistance values and comparing them to the benchmark performance, engineers can make informed decisions and select capacitors that best match their design criteria.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

The TDK Corporation C3216X6S1A476M160AC demonstrates a varying dissipation factor (Df) and quality factor (Q) depending on the test frequency and voltage applied. The capacitor's Df and Q properties provide insight into its energy efficiency and its ability to store and release energy without significant losses. These factors are vital when determining the capability of the component in a circuit.

At low test frequencies (<= 100kHz) and low voltage (1V), the capacitor consistently demonstrates a low Df ranging from 0.054 at 100 Hz to 0.028 at 1 kHz, equating to a satisfactory Q factor between 18.54 and 35.27. However, as the test frequency increases beyond 100 kHz, there is a substantial increase in the Df, which causes the Q factor to fall drastically, affecting the overall performance of the component in high-frequency applications.

Under a higher voltage (10V), the capacitor showcases a lower Df at higher test frequencies such as 0.015 at 10 kHz and 0.006 at 20 kHz, translating to a Q factor of 65.88 and 161.66, respectively. It demonstrates the component's improved efficiency and lower losses at these frequencies. In fact, it retains a comparatively lower Df across the spectrum of low test frequencies; however, similar to the low-voltage scenarios, increasing the test frequency beyond 100 kHz leads to a rapid growth in Df and a corresponding decline in Q.

Understanding these results is essential since higher Q factors relate to lower losses in the component, translating to more efficient energy transfer and storage. The C3216X6S1A476M160AC delivers a commendable Df and Q performance in lower test frequencies across a range of voltages. However, engineers seeking exceptional performance at higher test frequencies may need to consider its rapidly diminishing Q factor values and potential energy losses before employing it within their circuitry designs. It is crucial to analyze these factors and weigh them against the specific requirements of the application to ensure optimal performance.

Comparative Analysis

A thorough analysis of the TDK Corporation C3216X6S1A476M160AC Ceramic: X6S capacitor and its performance against the provided statistical benchmarks is essential in understanding the competitive landscape. In this comparative analysis, we explore the performance of the capacitor at 1 volt and 10 volts test frequencies to determine its suitability for various electronic engineering applications.

Examining the 1-volt test frequencies, the C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor demonstrates a higher impedance across most frequencies when compared to the statistical benchmarks. For example, at 5Hz, the component records an impedance of 672.9 Ohms, which is higher than the average impedance of 656.9 Ohms from the benchmark. This pattern of high impedance performance persists across most frequencies up to 1MHz, where the component records 15.06m Ohms, surpassing the benchmark's average of 286.2m Ohms.

The dissipation factor, on the other hand, exhibits mixed results compared to the statistical benchmarks. At lower frequencies, such as 5Hz and 100Hz, the component exhibits a lower dissipation factor of 0.064 and 0.054, respectively, as compared to the benchmark's average of 0.08 and 0.05. However, at higher frequencies like 900kHz and 950kHz, the capacitor achieves a higher dissipation factor of 0.28 and 0.34, indicating better performance compared to the benchmark's average of 0.213 and 0.246 respectively.

For series resistance values at 1-volt test frequencies, the C3216X6S1A476M160AC shows mixed results compared to the statistical benchmarks. In various instances, such as at 10kHz, the component exhibits lower series resistance (21.34m Ohms) compared to the benchmark's average (44.75m Ohms) indicating better overall performance. However, at higher frequencies like 450kHz, the component registers a slightly higher series resistance value (13.76m Ohms) than the benchmark's average (13.45m Ohms).

When evaluating the capacitor's performance at 10-volt test frequencies, series resistance values provide varying results. The component performs better at lower frequencies, such as at 5kHz, where the recorded value is 27.95m Ohms compared to the benchmark's 345.7m Ohms. However, at higher frequencies like 1M and 500kHz, the component underperforms with series resistance values of 5.583m Ohms and 13.99m Ohms, as compared to the benchmark's 279.8m Ohms and 270.6m Ohms respectively.

In conclusion, the TDK Corporation C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor exhibits varied performance results when compared to the provided statistical benchmarks. While it outperforms the benchmark at low test frequencies, its performance becomes inconsistent at higher test frequencies. Therefore, electronic engineers seeking capacitors for their circuits should carefully assess the capacitor's applicability based on their specific frequency requirements and design priorities.

Conclusion

Upon thoroughly analyzing the performance of TDK Corporation's C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor, we can highlight several points in its performance when compared to the statistical benchmark data. This ceramic capacitor presents some distinctive characteristics and its performance varies significantly depending on the parameters being analyzed.

Starting with the Impedance, we can observe that the component showcases a higher impedance than the benchmark average at frequencies up to 500 kHz. Furthermore, it maintains values closely related to the average across a wide range of frequencies, providing steady performance throughout.

Regarding the Dissipation Factor, C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor performs well at higher frequencies as it presents lower dissipation factor values at higher frequencies. However, at 10V, the dissipation factor increases notably. On the other hand, this capacitor is severely outperformed by the benchmark average when comparing the Quality Factor at high frequency ranges, like around 1 MHz.

When it comes to Series Resistance, this capacitor demonstrates similar trends, as the series resistance remains relatively consistent across frequencies with good values, while on the higher frequency range the capacitor performance seems to deviate from the norm. For applications in the high-frequency regime, other options might prove more suitable.

In conclusion, the TDK Corporation's C3216X6S1A476M160AC capacitor displays a stable performance throughout a wide range of frequencies and showcases good Dissipation Factor values at high frequencies, but is subpar in the Quality Factor department. This capacitor can be an optimal choice for engineers working in low to mid-range frequency applications. However, for high-frequency applications, an alternative capacitor might be more advisable to ensure better overall performance.

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