This section provides an overview for electrolytic capacitors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 20 electrolytic capacitor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked electrolytic capacitor companies as of November, 2024: 1.Rubycon Corporation, 2.KEMET, 3.Panasonic Corporation of North America.
Table of Contents
An electrolytic capacitor is a capacitor that uses an oxide film of aluminum or tantalum as a dielectric.
The general characteristics of an electrolytic capacitor are its high capacitance and voltage polarity. Electrolytic capacitors are classified into liquid (wet) and solid electrolyte types, as follows:
Electrolytic capacitors are used as smoothing circuits in power supplies. They are also suitable for use as decoupling capacitors and backup capacitors.
Tantalum electrolytic capacitors are particularly suitable for decoupling capacitors because of their high capacitance and low impedance over a wide frequency band.
Using an aluminum electrolytic capacitor as an example, the mechanism of an electrolytic capacitor is described below.
Aluminum electrolytic capacitors use an oxide film (Al2O3) formed on the anode metal surface by electrochemical surface treatment as a dielectric. The surface of the aluminum foil is etched to form irregularities on the surface, effectively expanding the surface area and achieving a large capacitance.
The electrolyte is filled between the electrodes to extend the cathode, but since the electrolyte gradually leaks out of the package and evaporates over a long period, a decrease in capacitance over time is inevitable. This is especially noticeable at high temperatures, so to extend the life of the product, it is necessary to avoid increases in ambient temperature.
The relative dielectric constant of aluminum oxide formed on the surface of aluminum foil is 7~10, and its dielectric breakdown voltage is 500kV/mm or higher. That is, aluminum electrolytic capacitors utilize the depletion layer capacitance of the reverse polarity of this diode, but because they utilize this reverse polarity, the applied voltage of aluminum electrolytic capacitors is limited to one direction. This is the reason why reverse voltage cannot be used.
Tantalum electrolytic capacitors use tantalum pentoxide as the dielectric and manganese dioxide as the electrolyte. Since the electrolyte is solid, leakage does not occur. Tantalum electrolytic capacitors have an advantage over aluminum electrolytic capacitors in terms of life expectancy.
All types of electrolytic capacitors are characterized by their high capacitance, but there are applications that take advantage of the characteristics of each type.
Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are widely used in power supply circuits because of their large capacitance and ease of production. Since they do not have good high-frequency characteristics, they are used in smoothing circuits after rectifying commercial power supplies. Despite their compact size, capacitors have large capacitance and are available in a wide variety of types. Another feature of these capacitors is their relatively low price.
Although small, these capacitors have a reasonable capacitance, but since tantalum is a kind of rare metal and expensive, large capacitance capacitors are not manufactured. The upper limit is around several hundred μF. Because of its excellent high-frequency and temperature characteristics, it is used in smoothing circuits for switching power supplies that turn current on and off at high frequencies.
As described in the section "Uses of electrolytic capacitors," they are also used as decoupling capacitors to absorb spike noise in power supply circuits.
Because of their relatively high internal resistance (several hundred mΩ to a hundred Ω), they cannot be used for ripple absorption or other purposes. They are mainly used as secondary batteries for power supply backup. Since the capacitance is very large and there is no limit to the number of charge/discharge cycles, it is used for backup of memory circuits, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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KEMET has a portfolio of over 1,600 patents serving the automotive, aerospace, industrial, telecommunications, computing, consumer, and medical devices. KEMETs devices provide filtering, sensing, energy storage, power conversion, and haptic actuator technology. Among these devices are capacitors, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) components, resistors, circuit protection devices, inductors, sensors, Piezoelectric devices, release, transformers, and engineering kits.
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (Vishay) was incorporated in 1962 and is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The company serves the industrial, automotive, telecommunications, consumer products, and medical end markets and sells its products under numerous brand names inlcuding Siliconix, Draloric, Beyschlag, UltraSource, and Applied Thin-Film Products. The company manufactures and sells discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components in globally while operating in six market segments: MOSFETs, diodes, optoelectronic components, resistors, inductors, and capacitors.
C&H Technology was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The company is a privately held sales and marketing company specializing in power semiconductors and electronic components commonly used in heavy industrial applications such as welding, aluminum, waste treatment, industrial motor control, and solar inverters. The company partners with manufacturers such as Hitachi, ABB, Mitsubishi Electric, and Powerex. Some of the products the company offers include assemblies, bridge rectifiers, heat sinks, and MOSFET modules.
Marsh Electronics, Inc. is a distributor of electronic components that was established in 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company offers various passive, electromechanical, and power semiconductor products. These products include potentiometers for regulating current and voltage, capacitors for energy storage, and terminal blocks. The company chiefly serves clients in the food and beverage, energy, and medical sectors. Some of its notable customers include companies such as GE Healthcare, Harley-Davidson, and Rockwell Automation.
JEC, established in the year 1988 with headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of electronic components, capacitors, and connectors. The company’s diverse range of products includes connectors, capacitors, sockets, cable assemblies, and various electronic accessories. These components play an important role in various industries such as electronics, telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics, enabling seamless connectivity and efficient data transmission. The team studies the product's dependability and conducts environmental tests, such as product durability, damp heat resistance, voltage resistance, insulation resistance, temperature characteristics, and flame resistance, to ensure that the products are superior and meet industrial standards.
DongGuan Xuansn Electronic Tech Co., Ltd, founded in 2004 and located in GuangDong Province, China, is a manufacturer of capacitors. Its product range has evolved from a single radial aluminum electrolytic capacitor into various products, including chip aluminum electrolytic capacitors, solid-state electrolytic capacitors, snap-on capacitors, screw electrolytic capacitors, and metallized polypropylene film capacitors. The company operates a factory covering an area of 40,000 square meters with 180 automatic production lines and holds IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 standard certifications.
Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation. was established in 1931 and is a manufacturer of aluminum-based products, precision mechanical components, and electronics equipment based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. The company's product portofolio offers various products such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors, multilayer ceramic capacitors, inductors, camera module, and silicon wafer. The products have been used in various application such as electric power steering, direct injection engine control, solar power inverter, switching power supply, and automotive micro computer power supply. The company has passed the ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 14001 standards certification. The products are manufactured under the compliance of RoHS and REACH/SVHC standards.
SUN Electronic Industries Corporation, established on December 22, 1958, and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of aluminum electrolytic capacitors and power supplies. The company is engaged in providing electronic and contract manufacturing services to various sectors. Their product offerings include conductive polymer-hybrid, DC-DC converters, and various power supplies. These products are widely utilized in the automotive, telecommunications, aerospace, and consumer electronics industries. The company also offers a range of services, including design support, prototyping, testing, and after-sales support to meet customers’ needs.
AIC Tech Inc., established in 2020 and headquartered in Tochigi, Japan, is a manufacturer of electronic and electric equipment along with the related parts and materials. Its main products are power electronic capacitors, including types such as plastic film, aluminum electrolytic, and metalized films. The company also produces deposition products and provides services for designing and supervising contract work related to the installation of electric equipment. The company has six manufacturing sites and serves over 30 countries worldwide, including North America and Germany.
ELNA CO., LTD., was established in 1937 in Tokyo, Japan, and is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic parts and capacitors applicable in comfortable equipment, power trains, exterior equipment, and chassis industries. The company manufactures conductive polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic, aluminum electrolytic, and electric double-layer capacitors. The capacitors have a long life, high endurance, and low ESR. Its subsidiary companies include West Japan Sales, Shirakawa LTD., Shirakawa Technical Center, Elna Electronics, and Elna America.
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Murata Manufacturing) was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Nagaokakyo, Japan. Murata Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and sells ceramic-based passive electronic components and solutions globally. The company operates through components, modules, and others segments, serving communications, mobility, industrial, healthcare, and personal electronics customers. They company's product offerings include noise suppression products, quartz devices,RFID devices, phase shifters, and wireless connectivity platforms. Services such as webinars and video library are also available for existing and potential customers alike.
Rubycon Corporation is a Japanese developer and manufacturer of capacitors and related products that was established in Nagano as Nihon Denkai Seisakusho in 1952 before rebranding in 1990. The company’s product lineup includes film capacitors utilizing plastic film as dielectric material, electrolytic capacitors using electrolytic solution or conductive polymer as dielectric material, and power supplies for converting AC input to DC output for various applications including powering industrial equipment, medical devices, or LED lighting. The company is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 standards, and offers additional technical support and design assistance services to its clients.
NICHICON, founded in Kyoto, Japan, in 1950, is a manufacturer of electronic components such as Aluminum electrolytic capacitors and Plastic film capacitors. The company's product portfolio includes Small Li-Ion Rechargeable Batteries, Household energy storage systems, Public and industrial power storage systems, Switching power supplies, and Power sources for medical accelerators. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. NICHICON also offers various services, including product selection, installation, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair.
TDK Corporation, established in 1935, is a manufacturer of electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. The company is a part of the TDK Group, which has over 250 locations in more than 30 countries worldwide and employs over 103,000 people. They offer a wide range of products, including sensors, power supplies, and magnetic application products. The robotics industry is evolving at a rapid pace, and they are now offering , a robot development platform equipped with a variety of sensors essential to the accurate operation of robots, enabling more efficiency across a wide range of robot development.
Toshin Kogyo CO., LTD., established in 1951 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer that manufactures, imports and sells electronic components. The company produces electronic components such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors, capacitors for audio equipment, film capacitors, and liquid crystal modules. It also released an aluminum electrolytic capacitor series for acoustic applications called the UTJH series. The UTJH series has a wide temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, which makes it suitable for use in various environments. The company has achieved ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certification. It serves industries such as electronic components, printing, and fabric industry.
Changzhou Eagle Electronics Company, established in 2006 and headquartered in Jiangsu, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic products. The company offers a range of products, including amplifiers, car players, LED screens, LED lamps, solar panels, and more. It also offers microphones, speakers, remote controls, cables, and LED TV light bars. Its LED lamps are resistant to shock, vibration, and temperature changes. The company has received CE and SGS certifications. It serves several industries such as automotive, electronics, and more.
NIPPON KODOSHI CORPORATION, founded in 1941, and based in Kochi-City, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of separators. The company's product range consists of aluminum electrolytic capacitor separators, electric double-layer capacitor separators, and battery separators. These separators play a critical role in the efficiency and functionality of capacitors and batteries, ensuring optimal performance and safety. They are utilized by electronics manufacturing industries, energy storage sectors, and other related fields. In addition to manufacturing, the company offers services such as research and development, product customization, and technical support.
PUI is headquartered in Irvine, California. The company is an authorized distributor selling electronic components from manufacturers with a reputation for high quality and dedication to customer service. The company’s 5 primary product segments include fans, audio devices, capacitors, connectors, and power supplies. The company also offers other products such as fuses, cables, and other subcomponents. The company provides services including bonded inventory, EDI, and barcoding to insure ease of receiving and inventory management.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Rubycon Corporation |
15.5%
|
2 | KEMET |
10.3%
|
3 | Panasonic Corporation of North America |
6.6%
|
4 | NICHICON |
6.4%
|
5 | ELNA CO., LTD. |
6.0%
|
6 | JEC |
5.7%
|
7 | C&H Technology, Inc. |
5.6%
|
8 | Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation. |
5.6%
|
9 | Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., |
5.2%
|
10 | Marsh Electronics, Inc. |
5.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the electrolytic capacitor page as of November 2024. 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
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Japan | 9 | 50.0% |
United States of America | 4 | 22.2% |
China | 4 | 22.2% |
Nagano | 1 | 5.6% |
5 products are listed.
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