Introduction

In this technical review, we are going to analyze the performance of TDK Corporation's C3216X5R1E476M160AC, a 47μF ceramic capacitor of the X5R composition. This Surface Mount capacitor comes in a 1206 (3216 Metric) package and has a voltage rating of 25V with ±20% tolerance. We will evaluate its characteristics such as impedance, dissipation factor, quality factor, series resistance, series inductance, and series capacitance under different test frequencies and voltages. The component's performance will be juxtaposed with the statistical benchmark data formed from other components of the same value.

Before diving into the detailed review, let's take a quick glance at the pros and cons of the C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor.

• Pros:
• Wide range of test frequencies (5 kHz - 1 MHz)
• Stable performance at lower frequencies and lower voltages
• High quality factor in the lower frequency range
• Cons:
• Decreased performance at higher frequencies and higher voltages
• High dissipation factors at frequencies above 450 kHz

With this high-level overview, let's proceed to the in-depth technical review of TDK Corporation's C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor.

Impedance

In this section, we will analyze the impedance performance of TDK Corporation's C3216X5R1E476M160AC. We will compare the impedance of this capacitor with the statistical benchmark data provided for capacitors in the same value range. The objective is to determine if this capacitor offers impedance performance suitable for electronic engineers considering integrating it into their circuits.

Initially, let us focus on the low-frequency range (5 Hz to 1 kHz) impedance performances. At 5 Hz, the C3216X5R1E476M160AC exhibits an impedance value of 681.6 Ohms. In comparison, the best performance in the benchmark data is the minimum impedance value of 539.4 Ohms, and the average impedance value is 656.9 Ohms. At 10 Hz and 50 Hz, the capacitor has impedance values of 343.2 Ohms and 73.1 Ohms, both slightly higher than their respective benchmark averages (332.8 and 69.54 Ohms). It is important to note that capacitors with low equivalent series resistance (ESR) generally demonstrate improved performance in low-frequency ranges.

Between 100 Hz and 1 kHz, the impedance values for the C3216X5R1E476M160AC are as follows: 38.69 Ohms at 100 Hz, 8.822 Ohms at 500 Hz, and 4.615 Ohms at 1 kHz. In this frequency range, the capacitor performs relatively close to the benchmark average values, although still on the higher side. This suggests that there might be room for improvement in impedance performance for this capacitor when low test frequency values are a priority. Optimizing the dielectric material and the physical design of the capacitor can help in achieving better performance in this range.

Moving on to the high-frequency impedance performance (5 kHz to 1 MHz), we observe that the impedance values offered by the C3216X5R1E476M160AC are consistently below the benchmark average values. This indicates that the capacitor is capable of performing well in high-frequency applications. For example, at 5 kHz and 10 kHz, the capacitor's impedance values are 981.8m and 499m, respectively, which are below the benchmark averages of 1.003 Ohms and 637.7m Ohms. The trend of having lower impedance values than the benchmark average persists across the entire high-frequency range, with particularly notable differences between the observed and benchmark impedance values starting at 150 kHz. High-frequency performance can be attributed to the capacitor's dielectric characteristics and its low ESR, which contribute to reduced energy loss during high-frequency operation.

Capacitance

At lower test frequencies, between 5Hz and 100kHz, the TDK Corporation C3216X5R1E476M160AC demonstrates Series Capacitance values that are close to the average of the benchmark data. For instance, at 100kHz, the capacitor series capacitance is 31.52μF, moderately approaching the benchmark average of 30.1μF Series Capacitance. Additionally, with test frequencies ranging from 50Hz to 10kHz, the series capacitance of the component lies within the minimum and maximum range of the benchmark data, highlighting a stable performance in this frequency range, which is essential for various electronic applications.

However, at higher test frequencies (150kHz and beyond), the metrics showcase a substantial variance in comparison to the statistical benchmark. Notably, at 700kHz, the series capacitance peaks at 2.234mF, greatly exceeding the benchmark's average (1.456mF) and maximum (18.56mF) values. This remarkable increase in capacitance could lead to challenges in power supply filtering, signal coupling, or decoupling applications, as these applications traditionally rely on capacitors with less distortion in their capacitance values over a range of frequencies.

When examining the LCR measurements at 10 volts, we can observe that the series capacitance values are in alignment with the benchmark data at certain frequencies. At 50kHz and 100kHz, the Series Capacitance is 29.4μF and 29.42μF, respectively, consistently demonstrating stable performance in this range. However, from 400kHz to 500kHz, the component's capacitance values rise sharply well above the benchmark data, indicating potential implications on the design and performance of products incorporating this capacitor, such as challenges in obtaining the desired responses in filters or matching circuits.

Overall, the C3216X5R1E476M160AC demonstrates commendable performance at lower test frequencies, making it suitable for various applications such as power supply decoupling or coupling in analog circuits. Nevertheless, when evaluating its use in applications that demand higher frequency ranges, the capacitor evidently deviates considerably from the statistical benchmark. Thus, careful assessment of these discrepancies is recommended when considering this specific capacitor for products, particularly those involving high-speed digital circuits or higher frequency analog components, where the variation in capacitance values could significantly affect performance and stability.

Series Resistance

Examining the C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor, it becomes apparent that this component exhibits a lower series resistance across a range of test frequencies when operating at 1 Volt. For example, at 10 Hz, the measured series resistance is 21.96 Ohms, which is less than the average benchmark series resistance value of 18.59 Ohms. In a similar fashion, at 1 kHz, the component's series resistance stands at 127.3 milliohms, significantly lower compared to the average benchmark value of 437.4 milliohms. This notable consistency in the performance of having a reduced series resistance at all examined test frequencies highlights the superior performance of the capacitor when operating at 1 Volt.

When considering the LCR measurements at the higher voltage of 10 Volts, complete data for the capacitor across the entire range of test frequencies is not available. Nonetheless, a few comparisons can be made to benchmark series resistance values. For instance, at 5 Hz, the component's series resistance is 86.57 Ohms, while at 10 Hz, it measures at 50.59 Ohms. When these values are compared with the respective benchmark data, it becomes evident that the C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor maintains a relatively strong performance, even when subjected to higher voltages.

It is crucial to understand that, in general, having a lower series resistance is favored in capacitors, as this implies substantially reduced energy losses, which enhances the overall efficiency of the component. This, in turn, would enhance the performance of circuits that utilize these capacitors, such as power supplies, filters, and various high-frequency applications.

Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor

In this section, we will compare the Dissipation Factor (Df) and Quality Factor (Q) of TDK Corporation's C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor to the provided statistical benchmark data. The Dissipation Factor is an essential parameter for evaluating the performance of capacitors, with lower Df values being desirable as they indicate lower energy loss during operation. High Q values, on the other hand, signify superior capacitor performance and lower energy dissipation.

Based on the LCR measurements at 1 Volt, the Df of the C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor ranges from 0.064 at a test frequency of 5 Hz to 7.362 at 650 kHz. The Q factor varies from a low of 0.02 at 700 kHz to a high of 40.95 at 5 kHz. As the test frequency increases, the Dissipation Factor experiences an upward trend while the Quality Factor exhibits a downward pattern. This trend is similar to that observed in the statistical benchmark data for the Ceramic X5R category.

When compared to the statistical benchmark, the TDK Corporation C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor exhibits a fairly competitive Dissipation Factor at most frequencies. However, there are a few specific frequencies where the capacitor's Dissipation Factor is higher than the benchmark, particularly at the higher test frequencies where energy loss becomes more significant.

Moving on to the LCR measurements taken at 10 Volts, the Dissipation Factor varies from 0.004 at 10 kHz to 0.808 at 500 kHz. The Q factor ranges from 6.26 at 100 kHz to a remarkable 265.22 at 10 kHz. Comparing these numbers to the statistical benchmark, the TDK Corporation C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor continues to perform relatively well in terms of the Quality Factor. However, the Dissipation Factor starts to deviate and show relatively higher values than the benchmark at higher test frequencies, similar to the 1 Volt test results. This emphasizes the increased energy loss in the component observed at elevated frequencies.

In summary, the TDK Corporation C3216X5R1E476M160AC capacitor exhibits a good quality and competitive performance concerning the Dissipation Factor and Quality Factor when assessed against the provided statistical benchmark data. Although some deviations occur at specific higher test frequencies, this is a well-performing component that demonstrates efficient energy utilization and minimal loss in most applications.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

The TDK Corporation's C3216X5R1E476M160AC Capacitor has been thoroughly analyzed and compared to the statistical benchmark data. As a Ceramic: X5R Capacitor, the expectations were high for performance relative to the comparable components.

When reviewing the Impedance and Dissipation Factor, this Capacitor performs relatively well at low frequencies but tends to underperform when compared to the benchmark as the frequency increases. The Quality Factor demonstrates a similar pattern in performance, with the Capacitor often falling below the benchmark range as frequency rises.

With respect to Series Resistance, Series Inductance, and Series Capacitance, the performance of the C3216X5R1E476M160AC Capacitor is somewhat mixed. At lower frequencies, the Capacitor outperforms the benchmark in some aspects. However, at higher frequencies, the Capacitor's performance tends to fall short compared to the benchmark.

Taking all factors into consideration, the TDK Corporation's C3216X5R1E476M160AC Capacitor may be optimal for specific applications that operate within a lower frequency range in which it consistently performs well. However, engineers may want to evaluate alternative components when designing circuits for applications requiring consistent performance at higher frequencies. Ultimately, the decision to adopt this Capacitor will depend on specific project requirements and conditions in which the Capacitor will be utilized.