Snap-in aluminum capacitors save space

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has launched a new series of miniature snap-in power aluminum electrolytic capacitors for higher-power-density designs. Compared to previous-generation devices, Vishay BCcomponents’ 257 PRM-SI  series of miniature aluminum capacitors offers up to 20% higher ripple current in case sizes that are up to 20% smaller.

With ripple currents up to 5.05 A, the snap-in aluminum capacitors reduce the number of components needed for a design, saving board space and lowering costs. They also provide a longer useful life to 5,000 hours at 85°C.

The 257 PRM-SI series capacitors, featuring a cylindrical aluminum case, insulated with a blue sleeve, provide rated voltages to 500 V in 25 compact case sizes ranging from 22 × 25 mm to 35 × 60 mm. The RoHS-compliant devices are also available with three-pin keyed polarity snap-in terminals.

These polarized aluminum electrolytic capacitors with a non-solid electrolyte are suited for smoothing, buffering, and DC-link filtering in switch-mode power supplies used in medical, consumer welding, and test and measurement equipment, in addition to general industrial control and audio/video system applications.

Device Specification Table:

Samples and production quantities are available now, with lead times of 14 weeks. Pricing depends on capacitance and voltage rating. For example, the price for 1,200-µF/250-V devices in the 30 × 45-mm case size is $3.34 each in quantities of 2,000.