TAP225M025BRW

Tantalum Capacitors

Tantalum capacitors, also known as tantalum electrolytic capacitors, are capacitors that use tantalum metal as an Anode followed by a layer of oxide as the dielectric and a metal carbon based Cathode. The dielectric layer of anode along with the metal layer acts as a capacitor component. Tantalum capacitors are polarised and hence function only in one direction. They also have a very low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) than other capacitors.

TAP225M025BRW Application Field and Working Principle

The TAP225M025BRW is a Tantalum Surface Mount Capacitor with a rated capacitance of 0.25uF, rated voltage of 25V and high frequency ripple current rating of 1.2A. This capacitor is mainly used in high frequency circuit designs, due to its low ESR characteristics, as a decoupling capacitor, in bypass and coupling applications. The capacitance of this capacitor is 0.25μF with a tolerance of ±20%.

The working principle of the TAP225M025BRW can is relatively simple and straight-forward. When a voltage is applied across the capacitor, current will begin to flow and charges will accumulate in the capacitor’s dielectric layer. The current moving through the capacitor will eventually reach such a high value that it creates an electric field and causes the dielectric layer to break down, thus creating a dielectric material which consists of highly conductive ions. This conductive material, of which the capacitor consists of, will reduce the voltage and current flow across it and limit the amount of current that is able to pass through it. This phenomenon is known as leakage current and it is what is responsible for limiting the amount of current that the capacitor is able to handle.

In summary, the TAP225M025BRW is a popular capacitor due to its low ESR characteristics and wide application range from high frequency bypass, decoupling and coupling applications. The capacitor uses a Tantalum Anode followed by an oxide dielectric layer, a metal carbon based Cathode. When a voltage is applied, current will flow and charges will accumulate creating an electric field, causing the dielectric layer to break down which will limit the amount of current and voltage that can flow through the device.