Introduction

In this review, we will be analyzing the performance of the C1210C476M4PAC7800 capacitor, a ceramic X5R capacitor manufactured by KEMET. With a nominal capacitance value of 47µF, a tolerance of ±20%, and a voltage rating of 16V, the component will be evaluated against a statistical benchmark that is formed from other similar components. This analysis aims to assist engineers in determining whether this capacitor is an optimal choice for their application.

Component Information:

• Manufacturer: KEMET
• Part Number: C1210C476M4PAC7800
• Type: Ceramic: X5R
• Mounting: Surface Mount
• Package: 1210 (3225 Metric)
• Nominal Value: 47μF
• Tolerance: ±20%
• Voltage Rating: 16V

Pros/Cons:

• Pros :
• Wide range of capacitance, suitable for various applications.
• Good performance in terms of series resistance and capacitance at various test frequencies.
• Stable capacitance values between given test frequencies (1kHz to 1MHz).
• Low dissipation factor, improving efficiency.
• High-quality manufacturing from KEMET, a reputable company in the capacitor industry.
• Cons:
• High variation in series resistance and capacitance values as frequency increases, specially above 400kHz.
• Quality factor drops significantly in the higher frequency range (above 250kHz), affecting performance in high-frequency applications.
• Tolerance of ±20% may not be ideal for applications requiring higher precision.

Following this introduction, the review will delve into further detail on the component's capacitance, series resistance, dissipation factor, and quality factor, as well as how these characteristics compare to the statistical benchmark data. Assessing the overall performance against this benchmark will ultimately aid engineers in determining if the C1210C476M4PAC7800 capacitor is a suitable choice for their design requirements.

Impedance

At lower test frequencies (5 Hz and 10 Hz), the C1210C476M4PAC7800 exhibits impedance values close to the average values of the statistical benchmark, being 652.5 Ohms at 5 Hz and 327.9 Ohms at 10 Hz against average values of 656.9 Ohms and 332.8 Ohms, respectively. In this frequency range, the impedance performance of the capacitor is satisfactory and aligns well with the industry standard.

When comparing the impedance data in the mid-frequency range (50 Hz to 500 Hz), the capacitor closely matches the benchmark average impedance values. For example, the largest deviation at 500 Hz has an impedance of only 0.054 Ohms above the average value, demonstrating a stable performance in this frequency range.

At higher test frequencies (1 kHz - 1 MHz), varying levels of deviation can be observed between the C1210C476M4PAC7800's impedance data and the benchmark average values. For instance, at 1 kHz, the measured impedance is slightly below average (by 0.015 Ohms), while in the case of 50 kHz, the capacitor's impedance is lower than the benchmark minimum (85.67m Ohms vs 69.87m Ohms, respectively). Although the capacitor's impedance at some frequencies in this range deviates significantly from the benchmark averages, it remains within the expected tolerance levels for a ±20% value capacitor. This demonstrates that the capacitor can still perform adequately across a wide frequency range, despite the observed deviations.

It is important to note that the performance of the C1210C476M4PAC7800 under a higher test voltage (10 Volts) exhibits an expected increase in impedance values. However, the overall trend in relation to the statistical benchmark remains similar, with tighter adherence in the lower test frequencies (5 Hz to 10 Hz) and more significant deviations at higher frequencies. This indicates that the capacitor is capable of maintaining its performance characteristics when subjected to higher test voltages, ensuring consistent and reliable operation.

Capacitance

The KEMET C1210C476M4PAC7800 Capacitor demonstrated an average performance when compared to the statistical benchmark data for capacitors of the same nominal value (47µF) and Ceramic: X5R composition. The component's series capacitance measurements were tested at both 1 volt and 10 volts, across different test frequencies. These results can provide valuable insights into the performance of this capacitor under various conditions.

At 1 volt, the C1210C476M4PAC7800 Capacitor's series capacitance across various test frequencies generally performed at or above the average benchmark series capacitance. For example, at a test frequency of 5 kHz, the component's capacitance measured 48.92µF, which is within the range of minimum (40.66µF) and maximum (69.99µF) benchmark values. Moreover, the component demonstrated a capacitance of 46.09µF at a test frequency of 50 kHz, which is substantially above the average benchmark series capacitance of 37.07µF at the same test frequency.

In contrast, the C1210C476M4PAC7800 Capacitor's performance at higher test frequencies displayed variation, including both lower and higher values compared to the average benchmark data. For instance, at a test frequency of 500 kHz, the component's capacitance measured 80.45µF, notably above the average benchmark value of 40.8µF. Similarly, at a 600 kHz test frequency, the component registered a capacitance of 167.1µF, greatly surpassing the average benchmark value of 79.05µF. However, at test frequencies of 250 kHz and 300 kHz, the component's capacitance values (42.61µF and 45.65µF, respectively) were slightly below the average benchmark values (36.9µF and 57.24µF, respectively).

At 10 volts, the C1210C476M4PAC7800 Capacitor also exhibited varied performance in comparison to the benchmark data. At a test frequency of 5 kHz, the component's capacitance (41.47µF) fell slightly below the minimum benchmark value (40.43µF), indicating a minor deviation at this test frequency. Conversely, at a test frequency of 50 kHz, the component showcased a capacitance of 48.37µF, considerably above the average benchmark series capacitance of 31.64µF. As the test frequencies increased, the component's capacitance values displayed more inconsistent behavior, with measurements either below or above the average benchmark values, depending on the test frequency.

These observations indicate the KEMET C1210C476M4PAC7800 Capacitor's capacitance performance to be within average to above-average ranges when compared to similar components of the same nominal value and Ceramic: X5R composition. This detailed analysis of the component's capacitance performance will allow engineers to make more informed decisions when selecting capacitors for their electronic circuits and designs.

Series Resistance

The series resistance performance of the KEMET C1210C476M4PAC7800 capacitor at 1 Volt varies depending on the test frequency. The capacitor exhibits a series resistance of 26.29 Ohms at 5 Hz, which decreases notably to 1.125 Ohms at 100 Hz. At higher frequencies (500 Hz and above), the series resistance becomes significantly lower (below 1 Ohm), reaching its minimum value of 12.24 mOhms at 1 MHz. Compared to the average series resistance of its benchmark at lower frequencies, such as 5 Hz and 10 Hz (44.75 Ohms and 18.59 Ohms, respectively), the C1210C476M4PAC7800 exhibits lower resistance values. However, at higher frequencies, such as 50 kHz, this capacitor shows a slightly higher resistance (12.25 mOhms) compared to the average benchmark value (295.7 mOhms).

When tested at an elevated voltage of 10 Volts, the capacitor's series resistance ranges from 47.76 Ohms at 5 Hz to a minimum of 2.27 mOhms at 200 kHz. Although some data points are missing for this testing voltage, it can be observed that the capacitor's performance generally becomes lower than average as the test frequency increases.

The KEMET C1210C476M4PAC7800 capacitor's series resistance performance demonstrates several points of interest. It exhibits below-average resistance values at low frequencies and slightly above-average values at higher frequencies. This characteristic may be desireable in applications requiring reduced resistance at lower operating frequencies, but may also require careful consideration during component selection for circuits mainly operating at higher frequencies.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

When evaluating the capacitor's performance, it's important to examine the low Dissipation Factor (Df) and high Quality Factor (Q) LCR measurements, which give us insights into the energy loss and efficiency of the capacitor. By analyzing these measurements at 1 Volt test conditions, we see that this capacitor demonstrates a consistently low Df across a wide range of test frequencies. Although there's a peak Df of 1.019 at 300kHz, this value remains reasonably low, especially when compared to the industry standard. Furthermore, this capacitor exhibits a high Q value of 58.39 at 1kHz, indicating its optimal performance in low-frequency applications, and consistently maintains Q values above 20 in the test frequencies below 100kHz.

At 10 Volts test conditions, the LCR measurements show that the Df is only slightly higher but remains under 0.067 for test frequencies below 5kHz, ensuring that the capacitor continues to operate efficiently with minimal energy loss. It is important to note that the Q values in the test range below 1kHz are marginally lower than those at 1 Volt; however, they still deliver commendable results. More significantly, in the test frequencies between 5kHz and 10kHz, the Quality Factor peaks at an astounding 984.49 at 10kHz, making it one of the highest Q values reported in this component class, indicating exceptional energy efficiency. It is crucial for designers to consider these factors and their impact on system performance when selecting capacitors for specific applications.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

In this technical review, we have analyzed the KEMET (C1210C476M4PAC7800) Ceramic: X5R Capacitor against a statistical benchmark of similar components. The comparison primarily focused on several key parameters such as Impedance, Capacitance, Series Resistance, Dissipation Factor, and Quality Factor.

The C1210C476M4PAC7800 Capacitor performed close to the average range in Impedance and, at lower test frequencies, maintained an acceptable range for Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor metrics when compared to the benchmark values. However, at test frequencies greater than 500 kHz, the capacitor showed some remarkable deviation from the benchmark. As the test frequency increased, the Dissipation Factor notably grew, and in certain ranges beyond 550 kHz and 1M test frequencies, some values were not measurable.

Regarding Series Resistance, the C1210C476M4PAC7800 Capacitor performed relatively well compared to the benchmark, particularly at higher test frequencies. The Series Capacitance was observed to be relatively consistent with the benchmark values at frequencies below 500 kHz, but it gradually increased beyond this point, resulting in deviations from the statistical expectations.

In conclusion, the KEMET (C1210C476M4PAC7800) Ceramic: X5R Capacitor demonstrates respectable performance when comparing impedance and series resistance against the benchmark. While inconsistencies in the Dissipation Factor may require further investigation, particularly at test frequencies above 500 kHz, the capacitor remains a reasonable option for electronics engineers considering its data performance for their circuits. As with any component, it is essential to evaluate the specific requirements and operating conditions before making a final decision. Considering the measured performance and the trustworthy, reliable, and experienced manufacturer, this capacitor could be a viable choice for relevant applications with appropriate specifications.