MAL212386159E3

Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

The MAL212386159E3 is an aluminum electrolytic capacitor which belongs to a class of capacitors known as “electrolytic capacitors.” These capacitors are characterized by using two electrodes and an electrolyte between them. In the case of aluminum electrolytic capacitors, the capacitor’s quality and characteristics are determined by the element of the electrolyte solution—namely, aluminum.

The capacitor’s structure involves a thin layer of aluminum oxide which acts as an insulator between two electrodes that are in a liquid electrolyte solution. This solution is formed when aluminum, which has a oxide layer at its interface when exposed to oxygen in the air, is immersed in this liquid solution. The oxide layer formed by the presence of oxygen provides an insulation layer on the surface of the aluminum thus preventing any further oxidation and allowing for the flow of electric current between the two electrodes in the solution.

The capacitance of the MAL212386159E3 aluminum electrolytic capacitor is determined by the size of the unit, the thickness of the oxide layer, and the relative permittivity of the solution. The aluminum electrolytic capacitor is rated for a maximum temperature of 105°C and is especially useful in applications where high temperatures are expected. Some application fields for the MAL212386159E3 include power circuits, snubber circuits, direct current/filtering, and automotive electronics.

The working principle of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor such as the MAL212386159E3 is based on the fact that the capacitor’s housing has a series of hollow cells filled with an electrolytic solution. The two electrodes of the capacitor pass through these cells and when electric current is introduced it charges the cells to set voltage levels. The electrical current passes from the positive electrode to the negative electrode, and it is this current that forms the capacitor’s electrical charge. The size of this charge and the amount of current that is allowed to flow is determined by the material of the housing and the electrolytic solution, both of which influence the capacitance value. The housing is usually made from aluminum while the electrolytic solution consists of water or other liquid solutions that contain a blend of salts. The MAL212386159E3 aluminum electrolytic capacitors provide a higher capacitance per unit volume and are often used for high-energy applications such as power circuits, direct current/filtering, and motor starting capacitors.