This section provides an overview for capacitors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 33 capacitor manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
A capacitor is a component consisting of a substance that does not conduct electricity sandwiched between two metal plates.
Generally, capacitors have two functions: to store an electric charge and to advance alternating current.
Capacitors are used in a wide range of applications, from home appliances to industrial equipment. They are always an integral part of products with electronic circuits. Specific applications of capacitors are as follows:
A capacitor is a component with a dielectric between two metal electrodes. When a DC voltage is applied between the two electrodes of a capacitor, an electric charge is stored in the electrodes because it cannot exceed the dielectric.
The stored charge initially behaves as if there is apparent continuity between the two poles. As the charge gradually saturates, the capacitor behaves as if it is completely open between the two poles. This is the principle of the capacitor.
Due to these properties of capacitors, they are used for the following:
Backup Power Source
By releasing the stored charge, it can serve as a temporary backup power source.
Voltage Smoothing
Pulse current can be smoothed by storing or releasing an electric charge; AC adapters, for example, use this feature.
Noise Removal and Extraction of Some Frequency Voltages
Noise can be eliminated by smoothing out the voltage in the frequency band that causes noise. If a resonance circuit is fabricated with a coil, it is possible to take out only some of the frequency band signals.
There are several types of capacitors, including electrolytic capacitors, film capacitors, and electric double-layer capacitors.
Surface treatment is applied to the metal anode to form an oxide film, which serves as the dielectric. For the cathode, an aqueous electrolyte solution or the like is used. The most common anode material is aluminum, etc., due to its performance and price.
Metal foil or vapor-deposited metal is used for the electrode. The dielectric material is a plastic film. Film capacitors have no polarity and can be used in AC circuits.
Electric double layer capacitors do not use a dielectric. Instead, a boundary layer called an electric double layer is used to store an electric charge.
Capacitor performance is expressed in terms of capacitance. The unit of capacitance is pF or μF, with pF being the most common, except for large capacitors.
The reading of capacitance varies depending on whether the capacitance is greater than or equal to 100 pF, less than 100 pF, or if R is used in the display. 100 pF or greater has a trailing number that represents a multiplier. For example, a "541" capacitor is 54 x 10¹ = 540 pF.
If less than 100pF, just read the number as it is; if R is used, replace R with a decimal point. For example, a "4R7" capacitor is 4.7 pF. Tolerances for capacitors are also written in the alphabet.
In the case of "B," ±0.5 pF is represented for 10 pF or less, and ±0.1% for 10 pF or more. For example, "102J" capacitor is 10 x 10²±5% = 950pF to 1,050pF.
Capacitors are composed of alternating layers of electrodes and dielectrics. The dielectric contains electrolyte to increase the capacitance, which evaporates over time. This is called dry-up, and the life of an ultracapacitor ends when the electrolyte inside is drained.
Therefore, the life of an ultracapacitor is affected by the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature rises by 10°C, the evaporation rate is approximately doubled. Conversely, if the temperature drops by 10°C, the evaporation rate is about 1/2 times faster.
General capacitors are specified at 105°C for 2,000 hours. If the ambient temperature drops by 10°C, the service life is 4,000 hours, and if the ambient temperature drops by 30°C, the service life is approximately 1.8 years. Capacitors also self-heat due to electric current. This temperature rise also affects the service life, so it must be taken into consideration.
In addition, the life of an ultracapacitor depends on the applied voltage. At the rated voltage, the capacitor can be seen, but when overvoltage or reverse voltage is applied, a chemical reaction occurs at the electrodes, shortening the life span.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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LAPMASTER WOLTERS’s roots go back as far as 1804 with the founding of Peter Wolters. Lapmaster was founded in Chicago in 1948 as a manufacture of lapping and polishing machines for the mechanical seal market, Lapmaster has grown to a worldwide solution provider for more than 20 industries like precision optics and advanced materials. Lapmaster serves many industries including automotive, semiconductor, electro optics, and medical devices. Lapmaster also sells many consumables including abrasive powders, lapping compounds diamond lubricants, and composite plates. Products include lapping, polishing, bore honing, buffing, grinding, and special purpose machines.
Based in Bayville, NY, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp. is an ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, chemicals, components, ordinance, electronics, and systems for industries ranging from aerospace to high tech to law enforcement. Examples of product offerings include raw materials, chemicals, and lubricants for industrial purposes to finished products such as security helmets for law enforcement, and military ordnances. SAE also provides research and development as well as technical support for other companies in similar industries.
Mädler North America was founded in 2020 as the US-based subsidiary of Mädler which was founded in Berlin, Germany in 1882. Mädler specializes in manufacturing precision-made machine parts. Product lines include linear guides, bearings, bushes, bevel gears, worm wheels, castors and wheel systems, couplings, fastening elements, clutches, gear boxes, idlers, linear bearings, locking assemblies, machine mounts, elements for pneumatic machines various joints, rubber padding and dampers, splined shafts and hubs, sprockets, timing belts, spindles, adhesives, sealants, and other assorted accessories.
PLC Hardware (PLCH) was founded in 1993 and operates out of Owings Mills, Maryland. PLCH is an independent distributor of used and surplus industrial automation and networking equipment. PLCH offers a 1-year warranty on all products and ships globally. PLCH’s emphasis is on hardware and distributes hardware from such brands as Cisco, HP Networking, Rockwell Automation and Siemens. A few of the many categories of hardware include application networking products, cables, optical networking systems, routers, switches, rack servers, content delivery devices, as well as HVAC controllers, and safety integrated systems.
WIN SOURCE is a customer-focused online store serving a wide variety of markets industries ranging from consumer to automotive to medical, industrial, and aerospace. WS specializes on size and speed, offering a catalog of over 1 million SKUS that can be shipped within 24 hours around the world. Offerings include an extensive array of semiconductor components, audio products, cable assemblies, racks, and battery products. WIN SOURCE is AS9120B, ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO45001 certified and is a member of the anti-counterfeiting organization, ERAI.
Dietz Electric was founded in 1974 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dietz Electric is a broad-line stocking distributor offering electric motors, drives, and power transmission products. Dietz Electric also offers customization options to test, manufacture, modify, and repair all product offerings. Product offerings include electric motors, hazardous locations motors, custom electric motors, variable frequency drives, motor controls, power transmission solutions, and specialty items such as purge systems, Uras vibrators, disc brakes, transformers, and AC line reactors.
Diamond Needle Corp is the North American distributor for Organ Needle Co., LTD of Japan. Diamond Needle Corp is a supplier of sewing supplies and materials. Individuals and industries served include apparel, automotive, bag closing, bookbinding, embroidery, filters, furniture, home fashions, industrial textiles, mattresses, non-woven, quilting, and other special applications. Diamond Needle has over 100,000 parts and supplies available including needles, replacement parts, scissors, lubricants, chemicals for cleaning and adhesive use, specialized tools, drive belts, crayons, markers, safety aids such as gloves and needle protection, and electric busways.
Hello BOM is an online electronic component storefront designed to bridge customers and suppliers. Customers supply Hello BOM with their bill of materials (BOM) and Hello BOM uses smart analysis via AI data matching to quickly find precise matches that customers need. This is accomplished via Hello BOM’s growing component stock and product information database to grow increasingly accurate and fast, while also simplifying the process of R&D and purchasing for customers. Products include semiconductors, resistors, capacitors, diodes, inductors, connectors, transistors, and sensors.
Ranking as of March 2023 in United States of America
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Exxelia | 50% |
2 | Air Rite Service Supply | 25% |
3 | Allied Industrial Marketing, Inc. | 25% |
Ranking as of March 2023 Globally
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Exxelia | 50% |
2 | Air Rite Service Supply | 25% |
3 | Allied Industrial Marketing, Inc. | 25% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the capacitor page as of March 2023. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
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