Reviews & Analysis

Samsung Electro-Mechanics' CL05A105MQ5NNNC: A Comprehensive Review of the 1μF Ceramic X5R Capacitor

By Mark Harris Wednesday, 24 May 2023

Dive into the world of ceramic capacitors with the detailed review of the Samsung Electro-Mechanics' CL05A105MQ5NNNC, a 1μF Ceramic X5R capacitor. Coupling accuracy, consistency, and a wide temperature range, this small but mighty component is sure to pique the interest of any electrical engineer assessing its suitability for their circuits. Offering valuable insights into its impedance, capacitance, series resistance, and much more, this comprehensive review aims to provide an educational and dependable resource for all.

Introduction

In this review, we are taking a deep dive into evaluating the performance of the Ceramic: X5R Capacitor from Samsung Electro-Mechanics, with the part number CL05A105MQ5NNNC, and comparing it to the statistical benchmark data of other capacitors with the same nominal value. The CL05A105MQ5NNNC is a surface mount (0402/1005 Metric), 1µF capacitor with a tolerance of ±20% and a voltage rating of 6.3V. A comprehensive analysis will be conducted focusing on the pros and cons of this capacitor and its applicability in various circuits for electronics engineers.

Pros:
  • - Reliable manufacturer and wide range of operating temperatures
  • - Suitable for low impedance applications
  • - Good performance in high-frequency ranges
Cons:
  • - Slightly lower capacitance values at higher test frequencies
  • - Dissipation and Quality factors not available at high test frequencies

This detailed review will cover various aspects such as Capacitance, Series Resistance, Dissipation Factor and Quality factor of CL05A105MQ5NNNC, and compare its performance to the benchmarks derived from other components of the same value. Whether this capacitor meets or exceeds the benchmarks, or falls short of these standards, will be addressed as we dive deeper into this comprehensive analysis.

Impedance

With a nominal capacitance value, 1μF, Samsung Electro-Mechanics' CL05A105MQ5NNNC features impedance characteristics that fluctuate across various test frequencies when measured at both 1 Volt and 6.3 Volts. Identifiable differences between the component's data and the average statistical benchmark provide insights into how this capacitor compares to competitors' offerings in terms of impedance performance across the frequency spectrum.

At lower frequencies of 5Hz and 10Hz, it's evident that the CL05A105MQ5NNNC's impedance values are significantly higher than the average statistical benchmarks provided for 1 Volt measurements: 36.33kΩ compared to 33.36kΩ and 18.26kΩ compared to 16.74kΩ, respectively. Nevertheless, as the test frequency increases, the discrepancy between the capacitor's impedance data and the average benchmark becomes less pronounced. This is distinguished at 100Hz where the CL05A105MQ5NNNC impedance value is 1.854kΩ as opposed to 1.702kΩ for the average counterpart.

Advancing into mid-frequency range, spanning from 500Hz to 20kHz, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC outperforms the statistical benchmarks. At 1kHz, Samsung's capacitor records an impedance value of 190Ω, which is lower than the 174.7Ω average. This trend continues at higher frequencies, such as 20kHz, where the CL05A105MQ5NNNC has an impedance value of 11.87Ω as opposed to the 10.88Ω average.

As we analyze the upper frequency range, from 50kHz to 1MHz, it is important to point out that the CL05A105MQ5NNNC impedance value closely aligns with, and sometimes surpasses, the statistical benchmarks. At 100kHz, the capacitor's impedance is measured at 2.631Ω, only slightly higher than the average of 2.408Ω. Moreover, when testing the component at its rated voltage of 6.3 Volts, analogous patterns arise, exhibiting minimal deviation from the capacitor's performance at 1 Volt. This observation implies that the CL05A105MQ5NNNC capacitor offers consistent impedance performance across a broad range of frequencies and various voltage conditions, showcasing the component's versatility and adaptability in real-world applications.

Capacitance

At 1 Volt, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC demonstrates a series capacitance of 877.2nF at 5Hz and 871nF at 1MHz. When comparing these values to the benchmark data, which showcases an average series capacitance of 962.5nF at 5Hz and 663.7nF at 1MHz, it is evident that the component performs below the benchmark at lower frequencies, yet exceeds the benchmark at higher frequencies. This behavior suggests that the capacitor may be less suited for applications requiring stable performance at lower frequency ranges. However, it's essential to assess this aspect based on the specific requirements of the intended application.

Moving on to higher frequency ranges, from 10kHz to 1MHz, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC exhibits improved performance. It surpasses the average benchmark values, demonstrating a consistent increase in capacitance as the frequencies progress. This range indicates the component's strength and potential for applications requiring higher frequency operations. Ensuring efficient performance in these higher frequency ranges is crucial in modern electronic components, as many devices now operate at frequencies within the order of kilohertz (kHz) to megahertz (MHz).

It is also essential to assess the behavior of the capacitor at various voltage ratings. At a voltage rating of 6.3 volts, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC reveals varied results. In the lower frequency range (5Hz - 1kHz), both minimum and maximum capacitance values remain below the benchmark, while staying well within the given tolerance. This suggests that the CL05A105MQ5NNNC is not as robust as other capacitors in this voltage range when it comes to low-frequency applications.

In the higher frequency range, the component showcases diminishing performance when compared to both the benchmark data and its own performance at 1 volt. The sharp decrease in capacitance from 1M (543.3nF at 6.3 Volts compared to 571nF at 1 Volt) warrants attention from engineers considering the usage of this component in their designs. Furthermore, it is crucial to consider various factors such as temperature, voltage stress, and physical size when determining the optimal capacitor choice for a specific application.

Series Resistance

The performance of Samsung Electro-Mechanics' CL05A105MQ5NNNC Ceramic: X5R Capacitor demonstrates higher series resistance values in comparison to the statistical benchmark data, particularly at lower test frequencies ranging from 5 to 50 Hz. For instance, at a frequency of 5 Hz, the component has a series resistance of 2.008 kOhms, which is significantly higher than the average benchmark value of 1.641 kOhms. However, as the test frequency increases beyond 50 Hz, the Series Resistance values start to become more comparable to the benchmark values, though still remaining marginally higher. For example, at a frequency of 100 Hz, the component has a resistance of 107.3 Ohms compared to the benchmark's average of 87.92 Ohms.

When looking at the 6.3V voltage range, the series resistance performance shows a similar pattern, with higher resistance values present at the lower tested frequencies. At 5 Hz, the component measures 2.142 kOhms, while at 10 Hz, it measures 1.025 kOhms. As the frequency increases, resistance values tend to converge with the benchmark values. However, there are still some isolated instances where the component's resistance value is higher than the benchmark data.

Considering these observations, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC Ceramic: X5R Capacitor exhibits a higher series resistance value, especially at lower test frequencies, in comparison to the statistical benchmark. This factor should be taken into account for specific applications that require lower series resistance values at lower operating frequencies. Nonetheless, the component can still be suitable for applications with operating frequencies higher than 50 Hz, as the series resistance values at these frequencies become relatively comparable to the benchmark data, indicating reasonable performance in such scenarios.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

When analyzing the Dissipation Factor (Df) values of the CL05A105MQ5NNNC capacitor under 1 Volt and 6.3 Volts testing conditions, we observed an improvement in performance as the test frequency increased. At 1 Volt, the Df started at 0.055, eventually dipping to as low as 0.007 at 100 kHz, which indicates a higher efficiency capacitor as the frequency increases. This is primarily because a lower Df represents a lower energy loss during the charge-discharge process, resulting in improved capacitor performance. A similar trend was observed in test frequencies at 6.3 Volts, with the Df starting at 0.039 and reducing to an impressive 0.008 at 150 kHz.

In addition to the Df results, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC capacitor exhibited noticeable Quality Factor (Q) increases as the test frequency grew. The Quality Factor is an essential parameter highlighting the energy losses within a capacitor, with high Q signifying minimal losses. At the 1 Volt testing condition, the Q started at 18.06 (5 Hz) and increased significantly to 142.01 at 100 kHz. Similarly, at the 6.3 Volts, it started at 25.67 (5 Hz) and reached an impressive 121.52 at 150 kHz. This increase in Q values across frequencies emphasizes the enhanced performance this capacitor offers at higher frequencies.

It is crucial to consider the Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor while selecting capacitors for a specific application since these parameters directly affect the component's overall efficiency and frequency response. An excellent understanding of the frequency-dependent characteristics of capacitors will help ensure their optimal performance in accordance with the target application.

Comparative Analysis

In this comparative analysis, we assess the impedance, dissipation factor, quality factor, series resistance, and series capacitance of Samsung Electro-Mechanics' Ceramic: X5R Capacitor called CL05A105MQ5NNNC. This capacitor has a nominal capacitance of 1μF and voltage rating of 6.3V. Let's dive into its performance against the statistical benchmark for capacitors of the same value.

Notably, at 1V, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC consistently outperforms the benchmark's minimum impedance while maintaining a considerably lower impedance than its maximum across all test frequencies. However, the component's dissipation factor is marginally below the minimum benchmark at higher test frequencies above 10k onwards. Moreover, it is worth noting that the CL05A105MQ5NNNC exhibits a quality factor that is significantly higher than the benchmark minimum across various frequencies.

At 6.3V, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC capacitor demonstrates solid performance regarding impedance, which remains consistently below the benchmark average across the entire frequency range. The component's dissipation factor also falls below the benchmark minimum at higher frequencies above 10k. Additionally, the quality factor lies above the benchmark minimum throughout the frequency spectrum, displaying notable improvements in performance compared to the 1V test.

When it comes to series resistance, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC tends to perform better than the benchmark minimum, providing lower resistance values at most test frequencies. This characteristic signifies minimal power losses in the component when incorporated into electronic circuits. The series capacitance shows a slight deviation from the nominal value, with the component's values being either slightly lower or higher than the statistical benchmark at 1V and 6.3V, respectively.

In conclusion, Samsung Electro-Mechanics' CL05A105MQ5NNNC Ceramic: X5R Capacitor demonstrates a strong performance compared to our statistical benchmark. Despite minor inconsistencies in dissipation factor values and slight deviation in series capacitance, the component still offers compelling advantages in impedance, quality factor, and series resistance. As a surface-mount 0402 (1005 Metric) capacitor, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC makes an attractive choice for electronics engineers looking to optimize their circuits' performance without compromising on size, weight, and reliability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL05A105MQ5NNNC Ceramic: X5R capacitor exhibits satisfactory performance compared to the statistical benchmark. However, there are areas for improvement and notable deviations from the benchmark data.

At 1 Volt, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC capacitor shows a higher impedance across various test frequencies. The dissipation factor of the capacitor is consistent with the benchmark values for lower test frequencies (5 - 5kHz) but exhibits a slightly better performance from 10kHz to 1MHz, which can be beneficial for certain applications. The quality factor is appreciably higher at test frequencies 50kHz and above, especially for frequencies above 75kHz.

The series resistances and series capacitance values are mostly within the range of the benchmark values at corresponding test frequencies. However, it is essential to note that the CL05A105MQ5NNNC has lower series capacitances than the benchmark at higher test frequencies, which can affect the performance in specific applications.

At 6.3 Volts, the CL05A105MQ5NNNC capacitor showcases similar trends of performance compared to the 1-Volt measurements. The impedance remains higher in comparison to the benchmark, while the dissipation factor is mostly consistent with the benchmark values. The quality factor reveals a remarkable improvement at higher test frequencies as seen in 1-Volt measurements. The deviation in series capacitance values at higher test frequencies is more pronounced at 6.3 Volts, and it is essential to consider the consequences of such performance and how it may influence a design.

Overall, the Samsung Electro-Mechanics CL05A105MQ5NNNC capacitor delivers dependable performance against most statistical benchmarks, with some notable improvements at higher test frequencies. However, for optimal performance, engineers should closely investigate lower series capacitance values and how it may impact a product's functioning before incorporating this capacitor into their design.

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