ALF40C391DF400

Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are one of the most widely used components in the electronics industry, and are often referred to as “electrocap” in short. They are the most popular type of capacitor due to their large range of values and are used to store electric energy in a circuit. The ALF40C391DF400 is an example of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor, specifically a low-profile and high-voltage device.

Application Field

The ALF40C391DF400 is a device that finds application in a variety of industries. It is used in automotive electronics, in industrial control and instrumentation, in consumer goods, in military equipment, and in telecommunications. It offers high-voltage stability and low-temperature capability, making it suitable for signal filtering, power supply stabilization, and AC ripple suppression.

The ALF40C391DF400 is ideal for high-performance applications, such as audio amplifiers and in LCD backlighting units. It is also widely used in precision analogue circuits for decreasing transistor noise and minimising harmonic distortions.

Working Principle

An aluminum electrolytic capacitor is a type of electrochemical capacitor, which consists of two metal foils that are separated by an insulating layer of material. The metal foils act as the electrodes and are usually made of aluminum, while the insulating layer is made of either paper or polymer. The electrolytes are the ions that move from the aluminum foil to the paper/polymer and back, forming the capacitance.

The ALF40C391DF400 utilizes a triple-stage process for forming the capacitance. First, a DC voltage is applied across the two metal foils. This creates an anode oxide layer on the aluminum foil which acts as an insulator. Next, an alternating current passes through the capacitor, triggering changes in the oxide layer which enables ions to enter the paper/polymer layer. Finally, AC ripple from the power supply is absorbed by the capacitor, thus reducing harmonic noise.