T550B107K010AT4251

Tantalum - Polymer Capacitors

The T550B107K010AT4251 are a type of capacitor that are used in many applications in modern electronics, ranging from automotive and industrial applications to consumer electronics and defence. These capacitors are part of a family of capacitors known as tantalum-polymer capacitors, which are characterized by their small size and relatively high capacitance values.

Construction

Tantalum-polymer capacitors are constructed by sandwiching an electrolyte-filled dielectric material between two conductive electrodes. The dielectric material is typically a polymer film, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, although other materials, such as tantalum oxide, are also used. The electrodes are usually made of a metal such as tantalum, but may also be made of other materials such as aluminum. The two electrodes are connected to respective terminals, one for the anode (positive) and one for the cathode (negative).

Benefits

The main benefit of tantalum-polymer capacitors is the small size and high capacitance values they offer, compared to other types of capacitors. These benefits make them popular components in many electronics applications, where space is at a premium and high capacitance values are required. In addition, they are typically very reliable and have relatively low ESR values, which makes them better suited for applications requiring high-frequency performance. Finally, they are also relatively insensitive to temperature changes and humidity, making them suitable for temperature sensitive applications.

Applications

Tantalum-polymer capacitors are primarily used in automotive, industrial, consumer electronics and defence applications. In automotive applications, they are typically used for EMI filtering, power supply decoupling, and suppressing voltage spikes. In industrial applications, they are used to smooth out voltage fluctuations, for voltage stability and for frequency control. In consumer electronics, they are commonly used for portable devices, such as cell phones, where small size and high capacitance are important. In defence applications, they are often used for missile guidance systems and other military electronics.

Working Principle

The working principle of the T550B107K010AT4251 and other tantalum-polymer capacitors is based on the electrostatic attraction between two conductive electrodes and the dielectric material between them. When a voltage is applied to the two electrodes, a current is generated (called the displacement current) which results in the charge buildup and voltage across the capacitor. This voltage is stored in the dielectric material until it is discharged via the current, transferring the energy from one electrode to the other. This cycle can be repeated many times, resulting in the capacitor being able to store energy like a battery.

Conclusion

Tantalum-polymer capacitors, such as the T550B107K010AT4251, are becoming increasingly popular due to their small size and relatively high capacitance values. They are used in a range of applications and are popular in automotive, industrial, consumer electronics and defence applications due to their reliability and performance. The working principle of these capacitors is based on the electrostatic attraction between two conductive electrodes, the dielectric material between them, and the displacement current generated when a voltage is applied.