This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Electric Double Layer Capacitors (EDLC), Supercapacitors category on DigiKey.com
Electric double layer capacitors and supercapacitors are a class of electrolytic (polarized) capacitors that offer exceptionally high capacitance values in relation to their physical size and low voltage ratings; individual devices have ratings of a few volts at most, though products incorporating numerous series-connected devices to achieve higher voltage ratings are available. Exhibiting losses that are generally high by standards of other electrolytic capacitors yet low in comparison to electrochemical cells, they are often used as alternatives to the latter in applications requiring high cycle counts or power density.
SelectionCharacteristics
Capacitance: A measurement of the device’s ability to store an electrical charge. It is measured in Farads (F) and uses the metric system for values.
Tolerance: Characterizes the extent of permitted variability of overall device value among samples of a given part number, resulting from variations in manufacturing.
Voltage - Rated: Typically this represents the maximum voltage rating to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this voltage rating may damage the device and other system components.
ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance): The ESR of Electrolytic capacitors is an important factor to consider in circuits where current levels are relatively high. Also under some circumstances the current sourced from them needs to have a low source impedance, for example: when the capacitor is being used in a power supply circuit as a reservoir capacitor. Under these conditions, it is necessary to consult the manufacturer’s data sheets to discover whether the electrolytic capacitor chosen will meet the requirements for the circuit. If the ESR is high, then it will not be able to deliver the required amount of current in the circuit without a voltage drop resulting from the ESR which will be seen as a source resistance.
Lifetime @ Temp: Characterizes a device’s longevity in service at the indicated temperature. Can be calculated using various methods and standards, see manufacturer’s documentation for supporting information.
Termination: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as PC pins, screw terminals, or wire leads.
Mounting Type: Identifies how the device is attached.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the suppliers device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
Lead Spacing: Indicates the center-to-center spacing between adjacent leads.
Size / Dimension: The physical dimensions of the main body of the device. Typically listed as diameter or diameter x length.
Height - Seated (Max): Indicates how far the device will extend above the surface to which it has been attached.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | PBLH-12R0/100ST |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 2085-PBLH-12R0/100ST-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Tecate Group |
| DESCRIPTION | 100 F (EDLC) Supercapacitor 12 V Module 20mOhm @ 1kHz 1500 Hrs @ 65°C |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | TPLH-2R7/3000SL60138 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 2085-TPLH-2R7/3000SL60138-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Tecate Group |
| DESCRIPTION | 3000 F (EDLC) Supercapacitor 2.7 V Axial, Can - Screw Terminals 0.26mOhm 1500 Hrs @ 65°C |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | CPH3225A |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 728-1127-2-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Seiko Instruments |
| DESCRIPTION | 11 mF (EDLC) Supercapacitor 3.3 V 1210 (3225 Metric) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | RSCSK2043R3D01004T |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 604-RSCSK2043R3D01004TTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Elna America |
| DESCRIPTION | 200 mF (EDLC) Supercapacitor 3.3 V Coin, Wide Terminals - Opposite Sides 200Ohm 1000 Hrs @ 60°C |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | JUWT1105MCD |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 493-4330-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Nichicon |
| DESCRIPTION | 1 F (EDLC) Supercapacitor 2.7 V Radial, Can 4Ohm @ 1kHz 1000 Hrs @ 70°C |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | SCAP,PBLS-1.0/27 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 2085-SCAP,PBLS-1.0/27-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Tecate Group |
| DESCRIPTION | 1 F (EDLC) Supercapacitor 27 V Module, Wire Leads 660mOhm 1000 Hrs @ 65°C |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | XLR-48R6167-R |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 283-4662-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Eaton - Electronics Division |
| DESCRIPTION | 166 F (EDLC) Supercapacitor 48.6 V Module 5mOhm 1500 Hrs @ 65°C |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
SchematicSymbol
Polarized
Schematic symbol courtesy of Scheme-it. Please see their website for more information and symbols.
MediaLinks
Videos
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Product Training Modules
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Blogs
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