Reviews & Analysis

In-Depth Performance Review: TDK Corporation's C3225X5R1A476M250AC Ceramic Capacitor

By Mark Harris Saturday, 22 April 2023

Dive into this comprehensive review of TDK Corporation's C3225X5R1A476M250AC ceramic X5R capacitor, as we analyze its performance across key metrics such as impedance, capacitance, series resistance, and more. We will also explore its dissipation factor and quality factor to ensure a well-rounded assessment. Learn from our comparative analysis of competing capacitors on how this TDK component stands out in relation to its peers.

Introduction

The TDK Corporation's series of capacitors have garnered significant interest amongst engineers for their effective and reliable performance. In this comprehensive review, we analyze the performance of the C3225X5R1A476M250AC Ceramic Capacitor with a nominal value of 47μ, tolerance of ±20%, and a voltage rating of 10V.

Our rigorous evaluation includes a comparison to statistical benchmark data allowing us to assess the capacitor's true capabilities. The intent of this balanced assessment is to provide a nuanced perspective and inform electronics engineers about the practical applicability of this component for their circuits.

Some noteworthy pros and cons of the C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor can be highlighted as follows:

  • Pros:
    • Overall solid impedance values across test frequencies, indicating an effective design.
    • Low Series Resistance at higher frequencies, catering to the needs of specific niche applications.
    • Stable capacitance values throughout most of the frequency range, providing consistent performance.
  • Cons:
    • Higher Dissipation Factor at a few points within the test range, indicating potential losses under some operating conditions.
    • Series Resistance peaking at low frequencies may impact capacitor performance in some applications.
    • Changes in Capacitance Value may occur under 10 volts. This could be deemed undesirable in certain application scenarios.

Following an exhaustive review and benchmark comparison, this detailed analysis will explore several aspects, which include: Capacitance, Series Resistance, Dissipation Factor, and Quality Factor. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor's capabilities vis-a-vis the statistical benchmark data.

Impedance

When operated at 1 Volt, the C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor exhibits an impedance profile that is fairly consistent with the statistical benchmark across a range of test frequencies. At lower frequencies, such as 5Hz and 10Hz, the capacitor's impedance is slightly higher than the benchmark's average (659.4 Ohms vs. 656.9 Ohms and 332.4 Ohms vs. 332.8 Ohms, respectively). Although this small difference may be negligible for most applications, it is important to be aware of this variance for engineers who are looking for ultra-low impedance components.

As the test frequencies increase, specifically between 50Hz and 1kHz, the impedance of the TDK C3225X5R1A476M250AC drops sharply and stays within the higher range of the benchmark data. It maintains an impedance level that varies from approximately 0.44% to 19.2% higher than the benchmark values. At even higher frequencies, ranging from 5kHz to 1MHz, the capacitor's impedance generally falls below the benchmark average, with a few exceptions. These include a 3.9% difference at 5kHz and slight deviations at 450kHz and 550kHz. Interestingly, at 1MHz, the impedance difference between the capacitor and the benchmark average significantly narrows down to a mere 0.4 Ohms or approximately 1.4%.

When evaluating the C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor's impedance at 10 Volts, there is an overall increase in impedance values across the test frequencies. Despite a few more deviations occurring at specific points such as 1kHz and 450kHz, this exceptional capacitor performs commendably within the context of the benchmark data, particularly at higher frequencies.

Although there are minor variations in impedance values compared to the benchmark, the C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor remains a balanced and appealing choice for electronics engineers seeking a dependable and high-performance capacitor for various circuits and applications. It is essential to weigh these minor discrepancies in conjunction with the specific requirements of a project to determine if this capacitor is suitable for the intended application.

Capacitance

The TDK Corporation's C3225X5R1A476M250AC Ceramic X5R capacitor has a nominal value of 47μF with a ±20% tolerance. In this section, we will carefully analyze the capacitance variation as a function of frequency, providing insightful and useful information for electronic engineers.

Based on the LCR measurements at 1 Volt, the C3225X5R1A476M250AC demonstrates capacitance values above the benchmark average in a low-to-mid frequency range, from 5 Hz up to 200 kHz. Impressively, it outperforms the benchmark average capacitance value at 50 kHz with 34.58μF, compared to the benchmark's 31.64μF. Of considerable interest, at 700 kHz, it registers 3.443 mF, which is significantly higher than the benchmark maximum at the same frequency (18.56 mF) - indicating an exceptional performance at this particular high frequency.

When analyzing the 10 Volt LCR measurements, C3225X5R1A476M250AC shows some distortion of capacitance values under particular scenarios. However, it generally remains competitive with the benchmark results. For instance, at 50 kHz, the capacitance value is slightly lower than the benchmark average, at 30.63μF when compared to 31.64μF. Still, this component boasts exceptional capacitance values at high frequencies, such as 500 kHz, with an impressive 64.58 mF, which is significantly higher than the benchmark maximum value of 125.5μF―demonstrating its reliable performance for high-frequency applications.

In conclusion, the TDK C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor's capacitance performance is undoubtedly exceptional. It remains competitive with, and in specific cases, surpasses the statistical benchmark, reinforcing its versatility and potential as a top choice for electronic engineers. This capacitor is particularly advantageous for designs that require high capacitance stability in both low and high-frequency applications, offering a balanced and reliable performance across the spectrum.

Series Resistance

At a test frequency of 5 Hz and 1-volt bias, the series resistance of the C3225X5R1A476M250AC measures at 37.78 Ohms, performing below the benchmark average of 44.75 Ohms. This indicates a lower resistance, which is advantageous in terms of reducing power dissipation and improving energy efficiency. Comparatively, at 10 Hz, the component's resistance is measured at 18.87 Ohms, which is slightly higher than the benchmark average of 18.59 Ohms, but still within an acceptable range.

The capacitor reaches its most superior performance compared to the benchmark at a test frequency of 50 Hz, where its series resistance is measured at 3.566 Ohms, significantly better than the average of 3.037 Ohms. Furthermore, the gap between the component's performance and the benchmark narrows as the test frequency increases: the series resistance measures at 1.616 Ohms at 100 Hz, 228.7m Ohms at 500 Hz, and 96.65m Ohms at the 1 kHz frequency, showcasing a consistent trend of improvement.

At higher test frequencies, the C3225X5R1A476M250AC performs relatively closer to the benchmark data, implying that it maintains its efficiency across a wide range of frequencies. At 5 kHz, the series resistance measures at 15.39m Ohms compared to the benchmark average of 345.7m Ohms; at 10 kHz, the difference narrows to 7.529m Ohms against the 330.6m Ohms benchmark, and at 20 kHz, the gap becomes notably smaller, measuring at 3.944m Ohms compared to the average of 319.4m Ohms.

The C3225X5R1A476M250AC's series resistance demonstrates impressive performance at certain test frequencies, such as 50 Hz, in relation to the benchmarks. Its consistent improvement trend at various test frequencies affirms its suitability in an array of circuits, with the potential to accommodate different applications. Engineers seeking optimal performance in the context of series resistance would be well served by considering this capacitor for their designs. It is important to note, however, that the selection of a capacitor for a specific design should not be based solely on its series resistance performance; other factors such as capacitance, voltage rating, and temperature stability should also be taken into account.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

The TDK Corporation's C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor exhibits outstanding performance in the low-frequency range. As the operating frequencies increase from 5kHz to 45kHz, the Dissipation Factor (Df) decreases, and the Quality Factor (Q) exhibits a consistent improvement. This observation is emphasized at frequencies of 5kHz and 50kHz, with recorded Df values of 0.017 and 0.018, which in turn produce favorable Quality Factors of 58.99 and 54.74, respectively. However, when the frequency reaches 100kHz, the Df value slightly increases to 0.021, causing a decrease in Q to 47.94.

As the operating frequency continues to rise, the capacitor's performance begins to deteriorate. When reaching frequencies of 400kHz and beyond, the steady Df increase leads to values such as 0.086 and 0.213 at 500kHz and 600kHz, respectively. These values result in a Q of 45.17 at 500kHz and a significantly reduced Q of 4.40 at 600kHz. Moreover, at a frequency of 650kHz, the Df exhibits a sharp rise to 0.558, which translates to a low Q of merely 1.88.

It is essential to remember that the measured values of this capacitor are subject to fluctuations when exposed to higher voltages. For instance, when the voltage increases to 10V, the Quality Factor experiences an upturn, reaching 130.24 at 5kHz. This underscores the capacitor's capacity to adapt to higher operating voltages effectively. It is important to mention, however, that most Q values at high frequencies remain unspecified under a 10V voltage, limiting the ability to comprehensively evaluate the capacitor's performance at these levels. This highlights that, while the C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor boasts exceptional low-frequency characteristics, its high-frequency performance may necessitate further investigation and consideration depending on specific application requirements.

Comparative Analysis

When reviewing the performance of TDK Corporation's C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor, it is essential to compare its data to the given statistical benchmarks. The crucial aspects to consider in this comparison are impedance, dissipation factor, quality factor, series resistance, series inductance, and series capacitance measurements at different test frequencies and voltage levels.

At a voltage of 1V, the C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor demonstrates nearly similar impedance values compared to the average benchmark impedance for most of the test frequencies. However, in the range of 550 kHz to 1 MHz, we can observe that the impedance values are lower than the statistical benchmark data. This may lead to lower voltage drop, which could be advantageous in specific applications.

When it comes to dissipation factor, the capacitor performs with relatively low values across a wide range of test frequencies, indicating better efficiency and lower power loss. The quality factor of this capacitor also closely mirrors the benchmark average, with notable improvements seen in the higher frequency range. This signifies that the performance of the capacitor is generally up to par with other capacitors in the X5R class.

Looking at the series resistance and capacitance, it is unclear from the provided data if the C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor meets the statistical benchmark, particularly in the upper frequency range (starting from 550 kHz). Since no proper comparison can be made, engineers exploring whether this capacitor is an optimal choice or not should be cautious about these attributes when selecting for applications that may operate in that region.

Lastly, the series inductance of the capacitor indicates that it would perform comparably to the benchmark, with minimal deviations at different test frequencies. This factor would be conducive to performance in various circuit designs and applications.

In conclusion, the TDK Corporation's C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor presents a performance that is generally consistent with the provided benchmark data, with some areas that might require further investigation for specific applications, particularly higher frequency ranges. This analysis shows a well-rounded component, yet it is essential to weigh the critical aspects against specific engineering requirements for optimal selection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, after a meticulous analysis of the TDK Corporation C3225X5R1A476M250AC capacitor, we can see how it compares to the statistical benchmark data of similar components. From the LCR measurements and statistical data provided, it is evident that this Ceramic: X5R capacitor holds its own in various parameters and characteristics.

At lower test frequencies, the capacitor generally performs on par or better than the average impedance values, leading to efficient energy storage capabilities. From 5k to 100kHz, the impedance values tend to be higher than average, which might impact applications demanding low impedance at these frequency ranges. However, it remains important to consider the nominal capacitance value, which might vary due to its ±20% tolerance. The Dissipation Factor exhibits a wide range, with values starting from 0.01 at lower frequencies and up to 6.67 at higher frequencies prioritizing stability in various applications. The Quality Factor remains mostly consistent with expected values in the benchmark data and stays within a satisfactory range.

From these data points, it becomes evident that TDK Corporation's C3225X5R1A476M250AC is a competitive choice for engineers seeking reliable and consistent performance in their capacitors. While the capacitor may not outdo its competitors in every aspect or measurement, its well-rounded performance across the tested parameters, makes it a valuable consideration when selecting the crucial components for electronic applications.

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