Reviews & Analysis

Murata Electronics GRM188R72A104KA35D: Unveiling the Performance of a Ceramic X7R Capacitor

By Mark Harris Thursday, 30 March 2023

Curious about the Murata Electronics GRM188R72A104KA35D Ceramic X7R Capacitor? Find a comprehensive review by experienced electronics engineers, covering crucial aspects like impedance, capacitance, series resistance, dissipation factor, and quality factor. Examine comparative analysis and conclusion, all designed to help electronics engineers make informed decisions.

Introduction

In this technical review, we will be analyzing the performance of the Murata Electronics GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor, specifically comparing it to a statistical benchmark derived from other components with a similar value of 100n. The GRM188R72A104KA35D is a surface mount, ceramic, X7R capacitor with a nominal value of 100n, a tolerance of ±10%, and a voltage rating of 100V. It comes in an 0603 (1608 metric) package.

Pros:

    - Good overall stability of capacitance values

    - Consistently low dissipation factor

    - Wide temperature range for X7R ceramic capacitors

    Cons:

      - Series resistance is higher than some other capacitors tested in the benchmark

      - Slight variations in capacitance for higher test frequency

    Throughout the course of this review, we will delve into the specifications and performance of the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor in further detail, seeking to determine its strengths, weaknesses, and overall effectiveness in real-world applications. Emphasis will be placed on the comparisons between the Capacitor and the statistical benchmark data for capacitance, series resistance, dissipation factor, and quality factor, providing valuable insights for engineers evaluating this component for use in their circuits.

    Impedance

    In this review, we assess the impedance performance of the Murata Electronics GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor by comparing the LCR (Inductance, Capacitance, and Resistance) measurements at various test frequencies and voltages to a statistical benchmark. This capacitor is a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) with X7R characteristics, which means that it is designed for general-purpose applications where stability over a wide temperature range is critical.

    When the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor is tested at 1 Volt, it presents itself as an average performer in terms of impedance. At lower test frequencies such as 5kHz and 10kHz, its impedance remains close to the average values of the benchmark, performing just below the average. As the test frequency increases to 75kHz and beyond, the capacitor generally demonstrates an impedance that aligns with or slightly surpasses the benchmark's average impedance. It is important to note that the gap between the component and the benchmark becomes more noticeable at higher test frequencies, where the capacitor's impedance consistently ranks as lower (better) than the average in the benchmark.

    Interestingly, when operating at 10 Volts, the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor exhibits a significant improvement in impedance performance across various test frequencies. With other factors held constant, it records values that are close to or even below the minimum impedance of the benchmark, spanning test frequencies from 5kHz up to 300kHz. Furthermore, at high test frequencies ranging from 400kHz to 1MHz, the capacitor maintains a level of performance close to or slightly better than the average impedance in the statistical benchmark.

    This analysis of the Murata GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor's impedance performance indicates that it is a satisfactory choice when comparing it to the statistical benchmark. The component's impedance performance remains particularly stable and consistent at higher test frequencies and under increased voltage conditions. As such, this capacitor represents a viable option for designers who seek a steady component to suit designs where these conditions are prevalent. In addition, given its X7R dielectric characteristic, this capacitor should provide stable electrical properties over a wide temperature range, making it a versatile choice for diverse applications.

    Capacitance

    At 1 volt, the capacitance of the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor is consistently higher than the average series capacitance, indicative of its high-performance design and materials. At a 5 kHz test frequency, the component registers a series capacitance value of 100nF, which is approximately 2.07nF more than the average value achieved by other components in the benchmark. This difference suggests that the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor can better maintain its capacitance at varying frequencies in practice, which makes it ideal for applications where stable and reliable capacitance is desired.

    Similarly, at the test frequencies of 200 kHz and 1 MHz, the component's capacitance values of 96.37nF and 95.56nF notably outperform the average series capacitance values of 85.98nF and 82.53nF, respectively. The superior performance at higher frequencies is particularly essential for high-speed circuits where a stable capacitor is required to ensure efficient and reliable operation. This indicates the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor's suitability for high-frequency applications or scenarios where the components might experience fluctuating frequencies over time.

    At 10 volts, the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor continues to display strong capacitance performance, demonstrating its ability to maintain consistent performance even at higher voltages. At a 5 kHz test frequency, it manages a series capacitance value of 111.9nF, again outperforming the benchmark capacitor performance. This higher capacitance value under increased voltage showcases the capacitor's ability to adapt to varying voltage levels, a critical factor in many electronic systems.

    In the higher frequency range of 100 kHz to 650 kHz, the GRM188R72A104KA35D's capacitance values stay reassuringly close to one another, showcasing its stability during operation. This stable capacitance performance at increased frequencies is vital for various applications, such as filtering, timing, or coupling, where the capacitance needs to remain consistent for optimal performance. In summary, the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor demonstrates excellent capacitance performance across different voltage and frequency levels while maintaining stability compared to the benchmark, making it a suitable choice for various applications that require high-performance capacitors.

    Series Resistance

    At 1 Volt, the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor displays a series resistance starting at 3.078k Ohms at 5 Hz, which is equal to the minimum series resistance in the benchmark data. When examining the capacitor's performance with increased frequency, a clear pattern emerges, demonstrating the capacitor's consistent and reliable functionality. As the frequency increases to 10 kHz, the capacitor exhibits a series resistance of 1.622 Ohms, situating itself in line with the average series resistance found at the same frequency in the benchmark data (5.163 Ohms).

    With a further increase in frequency, reaching 50 kHz, the capacitor's series resistance decreases to 292.9m Ohms, situating itself at the lower end of the benchmark range (1.039 Ohms). This trend follows suit upon reaching 100 kHz, with the GRM188R72A104KA35D displaying a series resistance of 143.6m Ohms, considerably lower than the average series resistance of 491m Ohms at the same frequency in the statistical benchmark. Notably, throughout the testing, the component's series resistance remains consistently on the lower end of its benchmark values. For instance, at 1 MHz, the Murata Capacitor has a series resistance of 27.37m Ohms, while the statistical benchmark holds an average value of 70.07m Ohms.

    In analyzing the LCR measurements at 10 Volts, the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor's series resistance values exhibit an increase compared to their 1 Volt counterparts, but maintain a similar trend of remaining at the lower end of the benchmark range. As an example, at 50 kHz, the capacitor showcases a series resistance of 744.9m Ohms, which is notably lower than the average series resistance value when measured at 1 Volt (1.039 Ohms). This consistency in performance, even under varying voltage conditions, highlights the capacitor's reliability and effectiveness across a range of circumstances.

    Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

    The performance of the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor in terms of Dissipation Factor (Df) and Quality Factor (Q) is commendable as it offers excellent stability and effectiveness for a variety of circuit designs. When operated at 1 Volt, this capacitor exhibits a consistently low Df, being around 0.010 across the frequency range. At the same time, it maintains a high Q factor, with values spanning from 98.35 to 118.74. This illustrates the capacitor's proficiency in minimizing energy losses and ensuring a reliable and efficient performance.

    However, when subjected to a higher voltage of 10 Volts, the performance of the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor exhibits some decline. The Df experiences an increase to around 0.034 in the lower frequency range (below 100 kHz), demonstrating a rise in power dissipation and thereby reduced efficiency. Alongside this increase in Df, the capacitor's Q factor experiences a reduction to as low as 29.10 at 5 kHz, which signifies a decline in its ability to store energy compared to its energy dissipation. However, it is worth noting that the Q factor reveals a potential for recovery at 50 kHz and above, displaying Q values increasing from 40.81 to 70.57 at 550 kHz. This indicates the capacitor's adaptability and better performance in higher frequency operations when subjected to 10 Volts.

    While the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor performs exceptionally well at 1 Volt, exhibiting outstanding low Df and high Q factor values, its performance experiences a noticeable decline at 10 Volts, particularly for low-frequency applications. However, this capacitor retains its potential utility in higher frequency ranges at 10 Volts, allowing it to be a viable contender for use cases requiring such conditions. It is crucial for engineers to be aware of these performance characteristics when selecting capacitors for specific applications, ensuring optimal operation and satisfying design requirements.

    Comparative Analysis

    In our comparative analysis of the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor from Murata Electronics against the statistical benchmark data, we will examine the performance of the capacitor under various test frequencies and voltages in terms of impedance, dissipation factor, quality factor, series resistance, and series capacitance.

    Overall, this Ceramic: X7R capacitor demonstrates solid performance in most of these categories as compared to the statistical benchmark. Specifically, the GRM188R72A104KA35D exhibits significantly better quality factor values under several test frequencies, especially in the lower range of frequencies such as 5 kHz, 10 kHz, and 50 kHz where the quality factor is observed to be above the average benchmark. This indicates that the capacitor has lower power dissipation which is desirable in various applications.

    The impedance values of the GRM188R72A104KA35D are mostly within the range of the benchmark's average impedance, across the frequency spectrum. For instance, at 5 kHz and 1 Volt, the component impedance is 311.5 kOhms, which is slightly lower than the benchmark's average impedance of 313.4 kOhms. As the frequency increases to 20 kHz, the impedance is well within the average limits at 80.42 Ohms, and this trend continues as the frequency goes higher, indicating its stable performance.

    When considering the dissipation factor, the GRM188R72A104KA35D shows a more consistent result in comparison with the statistical benchmark. At lower test frequencies, the variation between the component and benchmark data is quite small, while at higher frequencies such as 200kHz - 600kHz, the component's dissipation factor is found to be lower than average, which is a favorable attribute in capacitors.

    In the context of series resistance, the GRM188R72A104KA35D has relatively higher values compared to the statistical benchmark across the test frequencies. It should be noted that while a low series resistance is generally considered desirable, the higher resistance values exhibited by this Ceramic: X7R capacitor do not necessarily undermine its performance, especially considering its improved quality factor and low impedance skew from the average benchmark.

    To conclude, our comparative analysis between the GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor and the statistical benchmark data indicates that this particular Ceramic: X7R capacitor offers reliable performance with some variations in impedance, dissipation factor, and series resistance. Its overall improved quality factor suggests that engineers exploring this capacitor as an optimal choice could find it suitable for applications requiring lower power dissipation and stability across various frequencies.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, based on the provided data, the Murata Electronics GRM188R72A104KA35D capacitor, with a nominal value of 100n, a tolerance of ±10%, and voltage rating of 100, displays overall performance that is in line with the corresponding statistical benchmark. The Ceramic: X7R composition, surface mount package, and 0603 (1608 Metric) mounting style perform suitably for their intended applications.

    Impedance values for most frequencies tested are within reasonable range of the average statistical benchmark. Overall, the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor marginally outperforms the benchmark for Dissipation Factors, exhibiting lower values at most frequencies. When it comes to Quality Factor, the capacitor performs admirably, reaching or exceeding the statistical benchmark's maximum Quality Factor at a number of test frequencies. Similarly, the Capacitor demonstrates Series Resistance values that compare favorably to the benchmark, generally indicating a relatively low ESR component. However, there are some higher frequencies at which the Series Resistance value trends towards the benchmark maximum, indicating potential limitations in specific applications.

    Considering the entire set of test frequencies, the Series Capacitance values for the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor closely correlate to the benchmark data. In terms of Series Capacitance, the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor reveals remarkable consistency and negligible deviation from the statistical benchmark at each of the tested frequencies. This consistency, combined with the examined performance in other factors mentioned above, indicates that the GRM188R72A104KA35D is a reliable and suitable capacitor choice for degreed engineering applications.

    In summary, the GRM188R72A104KA35D Capacitor demonstrates commendable performance in terms of Impedance, Dissipation Factor, Quality Factor, Series Resistance, and Series Capacitance when compared to the provided benchmark data. With minimal deviations, especially within Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor, this capacitor is an effective choice for engineers and their respective projects. While keeping an eye on the performance at the higher frequency range, engineers can confidently incorporate this capacitor into their products, capitalizing on its reliability and performance.

    More News
    A detailed technical review of the TDK Corporation SLF6028T-4R7M1R6-PF Drum Core Wirewound Inductor, focusing on its performance analysis, impedance, inductance, series resistance, and other vital parameters.
    TDK Corporation SLF6028T-4R7M1R6-PF: A Comprehensive Technical Review of a Competitive Drum Core Wirewound Inductor
    Tuesday, May 30, 2023
    Explore the performance and characteristics of the TDK Corporation VLCF4028T-4R7N1R5-2 drum core wirewound inductor in this in-depth technical review.
    TDK Corporation's VLCF4028T-4R7N1R5-2 Inductor: A Comprehensive Technical Review
    Tuesday, May 30, 2023
    A comprehensive technical review on the Pulse Electronics 4.7µH PA4331.472NLT inductor, focusing on performance, impedance, inductance, and other important parameters for engineers.
    Unlocking the Potential of Pulse Electronics' 4.7µH PA4331.472NLT Inductor: A Performance Analysis
    Tuesday, May 30, 2023