Aluminium Capacitors
Aluminium capacitors are a type of electrolytic capacitor, which are two-terminal electrical components designed to store batteries, similar to a battery. These capacitors are polarised, meaning they allow energy to flow in a single direction. High purity-grade aluminium is used to create both the anode and cathode foils, with electrolysis applied to develop an extremely thin layer of aluminium oxide, that serves as the dielectric. Aluminium capacitors are widely used in various applications such as power supplies, computer motherboards and domestic appliances.
Depending on the type of electrolyte used, these capacitors may be categorised as "wet" meaning they have a liquid electrolyte or “solid". Solid electrolytes typically refer to those based on polymer or tantalum, though hybrid types with aluminium may also be available.
Types of Aluminium Capacitors
Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors
Electrolytic capacitors consist of an electrolyte which is a liquid or gel that consists of a large concentration of ions, and when voltage is applied across its terminals, it leads to charges being stored on the anode and cathode foils. The electrical charge that can be stored by the capacitor is measured in Farads but usually in the range from nanofarads to millifarads. Aluminium capacitors are used with high capacitance values to provide smoothing and filtering functions in the circuit. Commonly used in DC power supplies due to their large capacitance and their compact size which helps to reduce the ripple voltage. Aluminium electrolytic caps have reasonable Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) but have the lowest leakage current from all capacitor types.
Polymer Electrolytic Capacitors
Polymer capacitors (also known as polymer electrolytic capacitors or polymer e caps) have conductive polymer as their electrolyte material within a layered aluminium design. These capacitors combine unique properties from the polymer material in terms of high conductivity, extended temperature range and no risk of drying out – to make a capacitor that offers large capacitance and very low ESR (equivalent series resistance) with high ripple current capability and offers a longer operating life. Polymer capacitors offer a lot of package options between 2.2 to 470 microfarad
Hybrid Capacitors
Hybrid capacitors (polymer hybrid aluminium capacitors) are a mix of wet electrolyte and solid polymer. In this sense, they combine the best of both electrolytes. These capacitors offer high endurance, low ESR, and a high tolerance for ripple current. Hybrid capacitors also feature stable electric characteristics at high frequencies whilst maintaining reliability. The liquid electrolyte keeps the leakage current very low and also allows self-repairing of the aluminium foils which prevent a drop in capacitance.
Applications of Aluminum Capacitors
Aluminium capacitors are widely employed across several applications, enhancing the performance and reliability of various devices:
- Power Supplies and Converters: In power supplies and DC-DC converters, aluminium capacitors help stabilise and smooth out rectified voltages. This buffering is essential in devices such as drivers and converters used in wind power plants and photovoltaic inverters.
- Computer Motherboards: These capacitors are integral on computer motherboards, where they manage power distribution and signal integrity, crucial for maintaining system stability and performance.
- Domestic Appliances: Aluminium capacitors are used in household appliances to ensure efficient power usage and to help regulate the operational voltages, contributing to appliance safety and functionality.
- Energy Storage and Signal Coupling: They are also used in energy storage for applications requiring quick bursts of power, such as photoflash in cameras, and in audio equipment for signal coupling, ensuring clear sound quality by eliminating signal disturbances.
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