Introduction

In this in-depth technical review, we will critically analyze the performance of Samsung Electro-Mechanics' ceramic capacitor CL03A104KQ3NNNC, in terms of capacitance, series resistance, dissipation factor, and quality factor.

The component specifications are as follows:

• Manufacturer: Samsung Electro-Mechanics
• Part Number: CL03A104KQ3NNNC
• Type: Capacitor
• Composition: Ceramic: X5R
• Nominal Value: 100nF
• Tolerance: ±10%
• Voltage Rating: 6.3V
• Mounting: Surface Mount
• Package: 0201 (0603 Metric)

Throughout the review, the performance of the CL03A104KQ3NNNC capacitor will be compared against the statistical benchmark, which is formed from other components with the same value. Our goal is to provide an expansive, probing, and critical review that will help engineers make informed decisions when assessing the suitability of this capacitor for their circuits.

Main Pros and Cons:

Impedance

When examining the measured impedance data for the CL03A104KQ3NNNC capacitor, it's important to consider both the test frequency and applied voltage. Based on the measurements taken at 1 volt, the capacitor performed relatively close to the industry benchmark averages for both high and low impedances. Although there were slight deviations at specific frequency values, such as at 5kHz (328.6 ohms compared to the 325.6 ohms average), no significant variations were observed across the entire frequency range tested.

On the other hand, when evaluating the capacitor's impedance measurements at 6.3 volts, differences become more noticeable. The most striking variations are found at lower test frequencies, such as 5Hz and 10Hz, where the impedance reached 387.8k ohms and 194.8k ohms, respectively. As the tested frequency increased, the disparities in impedance measurements became less pronounced; however, notable differences were still present at 50kHz (33.06 ohms) and 75kHz (22.39 ohms) frequencies.

Comparing the voltage ratings of 1V and 6.3V, it is clear that the impedance values consistently rise as the voltage rating increases. This trend can be attributed to the way capacitors behave when subjected to higher voltages, as well as possible shifts in the dielectric characteristics of the capacitor material. The higher impedance values at higher voltage ratings should be kept in mind as a potential trade-off in some applications.

In summary, the CL03A104KQ3NNNC capacitor's impedance performance exhibits increased values across multiple test frequencies and voltage levels when compared to established industry benchmarks. It is crucial to take these variations into account when evaluating the capacitor's suitability for various electronic applications, ensuring that the selected component will meet necessary performance specifications and requirements.

Capacitance

In this section, we assess the capacitance performance of the Samsung CL03A104KQ3NNNC Ceramic: X5R Capacitor, which has a nominal capacitance of 100nF. To provide an in-depth analysis of the component's performance, we shall examine its capacitance values at both 1 Volt and 6.3 Volts, comparing these results against a statistical benchmark composed of similar capacitor components with the same nominal capacitance value.

At an applied voltage of 1 Volt, the CL03A104KQ3NNNC Capacitor exhibits a capacitance range of 102.7nF at the lower frequency of 5Hz, decreasing to 66.45nF at the higher frequency of 1MHz. When examining these values in comparison to the average capacitance of the benchmark, the CL03A104KQ3NNNC Capacitor outperforms the average at multiple test frequencies, specifically 10Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, and 20kHz. However, its performance diminishes as the test frequency increases, particularly within the range of 50kHz to 1MHz, where it experiences a considerable underperformance relative to the benchmark.

Similarly, when we evaluate the CL03A104KQ3NNNC Capacitor's capacitance at an applied voltage of 6.3 Volts, we observe a comparable trend to that seen at 1 Volt. In this scenario, the capacitor displays a capacitance value of 82.08nF at the lower 5Hz frequency and 70.68nF at the higher end of 1MHz. As previously noted, this component outperforms the benchmark at low test frequencies (5Hz, 10Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 500Hz, and 1kHz). However, it again exhibits shortcomings as the test frequency increases, with its performance deteriorating in comparison to the benchmark.

Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the Samsung CL03A104KQ3NNNC Ceramic: X5R Capacitor may possess limited suitability for high-frequency applications, given its declining performance beyond a certain frequency threshold. While it delivers commendable capacitance performance at low test frequencies, potential users must consider its limitations in higher frequency domains to ensure optimal performance within their specific application requirements.

Series Resistance

To assess the performance of the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL03A104KQ3NNNC in terms of series resistance, it is vital to compare its characteristics with other 100 nF capacitors. This comparison helps engineers make well-informed decisions when selecting components for their designs.

Series resistance, also known as equivalent series resistance (ESR), is an essential parameter in capacitor applications. Lower ESR values generally indicate a better capacitor performance, lead to reduced power losses, and enable the capacitor to handle higher currents more efficiently.

In our evaluation of the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL03A104KQ3NNNC capacitor's ESR, we compared its series resistance values at 1 Volt to the benchmark, which represents an average performance of several capacitors in the same capacitance range. We found that the ESR values for the CL03A104KQ3NNNC were below-average across different test frequencies.

For example, when conducting the test at a frequency of 10 kHz, the series resistance of the CL03A104KQ3NNNC measured 270 mΩ, while the benchmark value was at 200 mΩ. This implies that the CL03A104KQ3NNNC exhibits a higher ESR than other similar 100 nF capacitors on average, potentially making it less suitable for high-performance applications that require low series resistance.

It is important for engineers to understand that individual capacitor characteristics may vary from the statistical benchmark, and, as a result, they should take into account factors such as temperature, voltage, and operational frequency when selecting capacitors to ensure optimal performance for their specific requirements.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

In the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL03A104KQ3NNNC, the Dissipation Factor (Df) exhibits a varying trend with respect to the test voltage and frequency. At the lower test voltage of 1 Volt, the capacitor demonstrates a relatively high Df in the frequency range of 5kHz to 1kHz, with values ranging from 0.060 to 0.066. This is not ideal as a lower Df generally indicates a more efficient capacitor design with lower energy losses. As test frequencies increase, the Dissipation Factor drops and approaches a lower peak of 0.033 within the 600kHz-750kHz range, which shows an improvement in its energy efficiency at higher frequencies.

In contrast, the Quality Factor (Q) of the capacitor displays inconsistent performance across the frequency range. At lower frequencies, the Q values remain below the typical benchmark values - for instance, at 5kHz and 1kHz, the Q values are 16.77 and 15.23, respectively. A higher Quality Factor is typically desired, as it signifies lower energy losses and a better performance in resonant circuits. As the test frequency increases, the Q shows improvement, peaking at 30.60 at 750kHz.

When examining the performance of the CL03A104KQ3NNNC at a higher test voltage of 6.3 Volts, both Df and Q factors exhibit a general improvement. At test frequencies from 950kHz to 1 MHz, the Df drops to about 0.050, remaining below the benchmark values. With the increase in test frequencies, the Q values show a similar improvement trend across the board. The highest Q value recorded is 19.99 at a 1 MHz test frequency. These results indicate that this capacitor performs more efficiently at higher voltages and frequencies.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

Upon thorough analysis of the data, the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL03A104KQ3NNNC Ceramic: X5R Capacitor is found to display mediocre results in terms of its performance when compared against the statistical benchmark for components of the same value.

When operating at 1 volt, the CL03A104KQ3NNNC capacitor exhibits higher impedance and higher series resistance than the average benchmarks across various test frequencies. Additionally, the provided capacitance tends to remain below the average values observed in the benchmark set.

When operating at 6.3 volts, the CL03A104KQ3NNNC Capacitor presents a somewhat better performance with some improvements in the dissipation and quality factors in comparison to the benchmark set. However, the capacitance values still fall under the benchmark's average in most test frequencies, while the impedance and series resistance measurements remain on the higher side.

In conclusion, the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL03A104KQ3NNNC Ceramic: X5R Capacitor may not be the ideal choice for engineers seeking superior performance in their circuits. Further evaluations and comparison of other ceramics capacitors within the market may provide better alternatives.