Aluminum electrolytic capacitors
Rugged versions for automotive electronics
November 9, 2010
TDK-EPC, a group company of the TDK Corporation, presents a new design for EPCOS
aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which helps to boost energy efficiency in automotive electronics applications. These capacitors are distinguished by a particularly rugged mechanical
design allowing them to withstand even harsh conditions in motor vehicles. They offer a
vibration resistance of up to 40 g, can be operated within a broad temperature range from 55 to +150 °C and have an operating life of 10 000 hours at 125 °C. They also have very low
ESR and ESL values.
These new aluminum electrolytic capacitors are available as 3-pin single-ended and solderstar versions in various designs for increased mechanical stresses to IEC 60068-2-6. They
require no additional mounting parts on the circuit board, thus simplifying the production
process for customers and saving costs.
Thanks to their low ESR values, the axial types, for example with a diameter of 21 mm, offer
a very high ripple current capability. This means that fewer parallel-connected capacitors are
needed for extreme requirements, thus contributing to lower costs and increased reliability.
Thus, a single axial type can replace up to three single-ended types of the same electrical
performance. This solution requires only 40 percent of the original volume for the same ripple
current capability.
Applications of these rugged and reliable capacitors are engine management and electronic
fuel-injection systems, gearbox controllers and steering aids, as well as motors for fans,
windshield wipers, or oil and water pumps.
All types are available in RoHS-compatible versions. TDK-EPC also offers variants that
prevent the formation of whiskers.
----Glossary
 ESR: equivalent series resistance occurs in all components and should be as low as possible in
order to minimize losses.
 Whiskers: needle-shaped monocrystals that can occur particularly on tin-plated surfaces. They grow
under specific mechanical or thermal conditions and, when they break off, can lead to short circuits
on the circuit board.
Main applications
 Modules and systems in automotive electronics such as engine-management and electronic fuelinjection systems, gearbox controllers and steering aids, as well as motors for fans, windshield
wipers, or oil and water pumps.
TDK-EPC Corporation
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Main features and benefits
 High vibration resistance of up to 40 g
 Broad temperature range from -55 to +150 °C
 Long operating life of up to 10,000 hours at 125 °C
----About TDK-EPC Corporation
TDK-EPC Corporation (TDK-EPC), a TDK group company, is a leading manufacturer of electronic
components, modules and systems headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. TDK-EPC has emerged from the
combination of the electronic components business of TDK and the EPCOS Group and markets its
products under the product brands, TDK and EPCOS.
The product portfolio includes ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, ferrites and inductors, high-frequency components such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter products and modules,
piezo and protection components, and sensors. With this product spectrum TDK-EPC offers a broad
range of products and solutions of outstanding value from a single source and focuses on demanding
markets in the areas of information and communication technology and automotive, industrial and
consumer electronics. The company has design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia,
Europe, and in North and South America.
----You can download this text and associated images from www.epcos.com/pressreleases.
Further information on the products can be found under www.epcos.com/al_caps.
Please forward reader inquiries to marketing.communications@epcos.com.
----Contacts for regional media
Region
Contact
Phone
Mail
+65 6845-7923
angelia.liew@epcos.com
ASEAN
Ms. A. LIEW
EPCOS PTE LTD
SINGAPORE
Greater
China
Ms. S. SUEN
EPCOS LTD
HONG KONG
+852 3669-8224
stella.suen@epcos.com
Europe
Mr. C. JEHLE
EPCOS
Munich/ GERMANY
+49 89 636-24 615
christoph.jehle@epcos.com
India
Mr. D. SAWANT
EPCOS India Private Ltd.
Mumbai/ INDIA
+91 22 4256 0601
deepak.sawant@epcos.com
North
America
Ms. S. McSHEA
EPCOS Inc.
Greenville, SC/ USA
+1 864 232-4240
mcsheacp4@aol.com
South
America
Mr. C. DALL’AGNOL
EPCOS do Brasil Ltda.
Gravataí/ BRAZIL
+55 51 3484-7158
candido.dallagnol@epcos.com
TDK-EPC Corporation
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