Introduction

In this review, we will analyze the performance of KEMET's C0603C104M5RAC7867 Capacitor, featuring a Ceramic: X7R composition with a nominal value of 100n, a tolerance of ±20%, and a voltage rating of 50V. This surface-mount capacitor comes in a compact 0603 (1608 metric) package, making it suitable for various applications and circuits requiring miniaturized components. Based on the available LCR measurements, we will compare the C0603C104M5RAC7867 Capacitor to statistical benchmarks for similar components and assess its suitability for use in engineering designs.

Pros and Cons:

• Pros:
• • Surface-mount design in a compact 0603 (1608 metric) package, suitable for miniaturized applications
• • Ceramic: X7R material composition ensures stable performance in various environmental conditions
• Cons:
• • Tolerance of ±20% may not be suitable for precision applications
• • LCR measurement results indicate possible inconsistencies in performance at specific frequency ranges

Please note that the following sections of this review will analyze specific aspects of the capacitor's performance in greater depth: Capacitance, Series Resistance, Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor, and Comparative Analysis. The insights provided here aim to assist engineers in deciding if this particular capacitor is the right fit for their circuits and applications.

Impedance

Within this section, we meticulously evaluate the impedance performance of the KEMET C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor and juxtapose it against a statistical benchmark created based on the impedance profiles of other similar components.

It is noteworthy that, at low frequencies, the KEMET capacitor exhibits a higher impedance than the statistical benchmark. This is illustrated when tested at a 5Hz frequency, where the KEMET capacitor presents an impedance of 332.7k Ohms, considerably higher than the benchmark's average of 313.4k Ohms. At a higher 10Hz test frequency, the KEMET capacitor's impedance reaches 166.8k Ohms, while the benchmark average at this test frequency is 157.2k Ohms.

As the test frequency increases, it is observed that the KEMET capacitor's impedance becomes progressively more aligned with the statistical benchmark averages. At a 100 kHz test frequency, the KEMET capacitor manifests an impedance value of 18.08k Ohms, a value almost identical to the statistical benchmark's average of 18.07k Ohms. Furthermore, the slight impedance discrepancies between the KEMET capacitor and the benchmark average remain consistently inconspicuous at even higher test frequencies, such as 450 kHz (4.127k Ohms vs. a benchmark average of 4.263k Ohms) and 1 MHz (1.873k Ohms vs. a benchmark average of 1.958k Ohms).

Investigating the KEMET capacitor's impedance performance at a high voltage of 10V reveals that its impedance adheres closely to the statistical benchmark at elevated test frequencies. However, it is essential to discern that the disparity in impedance at relatively low test frequencies amplifies, as indicated by the impedance values of 273.7k Ohms at 5Hz (benchmark average: 313.4k Ohms) and 137.2k Ohms at 10Hz (benchmark average: 157.2k Ohms).

Taking into account the aforementioned observations, it can be inferred that the KEMET capacitor's impedance performance is commensurate with the statistical benchmark for higher test frequencies, rendering it an appropriate choice for applications demanding high-frequency performance. However, in situations where low-frequency performance is a paramount consideration, this capacitor may not excel as favorably, depending on the specific requirements of the given application.

Capacitance

In evaluating the capacitance performance of KEMET's C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor, various factors were considered, including LCR (Inductance, Capacitance, and Resistance) measurements at 1 Volt and 10 Volts across a range of test frequencies.

During the LCR measurement at 1 Volt, the C0603C104M5RAC7867 demonstrated capacitance values slightly below the statistical benchmarks across all analyzed frequencies. For instance, at test frequencies of 5 kHz and 50 kHz, the capacitor's measured capacitance was 92.91 nF and 89.41 nF respectively, while the statistical benchmark averages were 97.93 nF and 91.32 nF. Although the component's capacitance was consistently lower than the benchmark values, the variation was within the acceptable tolerance range, which indicates that the deviation may not significantly affect the overall performance in applications where tight tolerances are not a requirement.

At a 10 Volt test voltage, the C0603C104M5RAC7867 displayed notably improved performance compared to its 1V counterpart, achieving higher capacitance values than the statistical benchmarks across all test frequencies. With measured capacitance of 116.4 nF at 5 Hz and 116.2 nF at 10 Hz, these values greatly exceeded the benchmark minimums of 92.21 nF and 92.07 nF, respectively. As the test frequencies increased up to 1 MHz, the deviation between the capacitor's performance and the statistical benchmark gradually decreased, yet the C0603C104M5RAC7867 persistently exhibited superior capacitance. This enhanced performance at higher test voltages may prove beneficial in applications requiring stable capacitance values under various working voltage conditions and across a wide range of frequencies.

Series Resistance

In this section, we conducted a thorough analysis of the series resistance of the KEMET C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor by comparing its performance with other components of the same value within the benchmark data. This comparison was carried out across a wide range of frequencies and tested at both 1V and 10V voltage levels in order to gain deeper insights into its behavior under various conditions.

Our findings revealed that, at 1V, the C0603C104M5RAC7867 excels compared to the benchmark component, especially in the midrange frequencies of 50 and 100 Hz. Specifically, its measured series resistances at these frequencies were 492.9 and 255.5 Ohms, respectively, whereas the benchmark exhibited average values of 865 and 444.7 Ohms. This difference highlights the superior performance of the C0603C104M5RAC7867 in these frequency ranges.

Similarly, the C0603C104M5RAC7867 continued to showcase improved performance at lower frequencies when subjected to a 10V test. Most notably, at 5 and 10 Hz, the component recorded series resistances of 15.5k and 7.676k Ohms, which were considerably lower than the benchmark's markedly higher average resistances at these frequencies.

However, it is worth noting that the C0603C104M5RAC7867 exhibited a minor decline in performance at higher frequencies, specifically in the range of 500 Hz to 1 MHz, when compared to the benchmark. While this variation is relatively small, it is important to consider how it might impact the overall performance of the capacitor when choosing components for a specific application. By thoroughly examining these performance metrics, users can better understand the implications of the series resistance of the KEMET C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor and make more informed decisions about its suitability for their needs.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

When evaluating the performance of the C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor in comparison to other capacitors with equivalent capacitance, it demonstrates a relatively low dissipation factor (Df) across a broad spectrum of test frequencies when subjected to a 1 Volt test signal. This characteristic is significant, as a low Df signifies reduced energy loss in the capacitor, which can potentially minimize the overall power consumption of the circuit.

In a practical context, such a low Df is highly desirable. It indicates that the capacitor effectively stores and releases energy with minimal loss, contributing to better circuit performance and efficiency. Specifically, when subjected to a 1 Volt test signal, the C0603C104M5RAC7867 maintains a stable Df between 0.016 and 0.019 as the test frequency increases.

The quality factor (Q) is another important parameter of capacitors, representing their energy efficiency. Higher Q values are typically preferred, as they imply a lower amount of energy loss during the charge-discharge cycle. Our analysis shows that the C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor exhibits strong results in this aspect as well. With increasing test frequencies up to 200 kHz, the Q factor ranges from 62.05 to 74.21, indicating the capacitor's high energy efficiency in the low to mid-frequency range.

It is essential to note, however, that when subjected to a 10 Volt test signal, the dissipation factor of the C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor increases significantly, ranging between 0.057 and 0.058 for lower test frequencies of up to 20 kHz. This increase suggests a higher level of energy loss when exposed to higher voltage signals, which may impact the capacitor's performance to a certain extent. Nevertheless, the Q factor remains relatively stable in the range of 17 to 42.35 for test frequencies between 5 kHz and 600 kHz, with a noticeable optimization in performance observed around the range of 100 kHz to 300 kHz.

To summarize, the C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor is characterized by a low dissipation factor and a high quality factor when tested with a 1 Volt signal across various frequencies, demonstrating its energy efficiency and suitability for low to mid-frequency applications. However, one should consider the increased dissipation factor observed under higher test signal voltages, such as 10 Volts, as it may affect the capacitor's performance for specific applications or operating conditions.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

The KEMET C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor rivals the statistical benchmark for ceramic X7R capacitors by offering competitive performance metrics. The capacitance outperforms the average values in the mid-frequency range. With the manufacturer's voltage rating of 50V, it offers a solid choice for various applications in surface mount (0603 metric) packages.

From the LCR measurements, the C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor depicted a consistent performance in comparison to the benchmark data. The impedance, quality factor, and series resistance perform well when measured at both 1V and 10V, demonstrating the component's reliability under different voltage conditions. Furthermore, the series capacitance values provided attest to this capacitor's frequency-dependent performance enhancements.

In conclusion, the KEMET C0603C104M5RAC7867 capacitor emerges as a strong choice for electronics engineers looking for capacitors with enhanced performance in the ceramic X7R category. While this capacitor may not be the optimal fit for every application, it consistently demonstrates competitive metrics and reliability across a wide range of operating frequencies and voltages, making it a valuable addition to multiple electronic designs.