14 Trimmer Capacitor Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for trimmer capacitors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 14 trimmer capacitor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked trimmer capacitor companies as of November, 2024: 1.DAU GmbH & Co KG, 2.CTS Corporation, 3.Exxelia.
Table of Contents
What Is a Trimmer Capacitor?
A trimmer capacitor is a variable capacitor used for fine-tuning circuits and compensating for component variations.
The capacitance is adjusted by mechanically turning a knob with a screwdriver. They are also called semi-fixed capacitors because they are set during manufacture or service and are not shifted once they are in use. Mostly used for surface mounting, they are basically chip-type or round. They are often used to adjust the oscillation frequency of quartz crystal units.
Trimmer capacitors use the capacitance method, and capacitance can be adjusted by changing the effective surface area between electrodes, the distance between electrodes, or both.
Uses of Trimmer Capacitors
Trimmer capacitors are often used in oscillation and radio circuits, including quartz crystals, for frequency adjustment. Examples include keyless entry for automobiles, automatic ticket gates at train stations, handheld radios, power amplifiers, and RF modules for Bluetooth.
Other applications include radios, clocks, electronic pens for PCs, DVDs, hybrid ICs, and surveillance cameras. Nonmagnetic trimmer capacitors are often used in medical equipment such as MRIs.
Principle of Trimmer Capacitors
Trimmer capacitors have variable capacitance within a certain range. Like an ordinary capacitor, an insulator is sandwiched between two electrodes, which store an electric charge when a voltage is applied. The capacitance can be adjusted by moving one of the electrodes.
Air or ceramic is used as the dielectric. Trimmer capacitors have a small capacitance at the pF level because their structure does not allow them to be made with a large capacitance. Movable electrodes are often round in shape and can be shifted by rotating them with a knob or similar tool, using the center axis or outside of the electrode as a guide.
Since the surface area of the displaced electrode changes, the capacitance can be varied. During the initial setup, a screwdriver is used to adjust according to the application. Once adjusted, the capacitance is basically fixed and used without changing. When adjusting with a screwdriver, care should be taken not to apply excessive force as it may cause damage.
Structure of Trimmer Capacitor
The structure of a trimmer capacitor is the same as that of a general capacitor, except that it has a screwdriver slot and a metal rotor for adjustment. Note that because of this structure, if the soldering iron adheres to any part other than the terminal area, flux solder may enter the variable area and fix the rotor or prevent it from making contact.
Also, if the tip of the soldering iron touches the covered trimmer capacitor, it may melt or damage the capacitor.
Other Information on Trimmer Capacitors
1. How to Adjust Trimmer Capacitor
To adjust the trimmer capacitor, use a screwdriver to rotate the rotor to the desired capacitance setting. There are two types of screwdrivers for adjustment: one for manual adjustment and the other for automatic adjustment.
Ensure that the screwdriver is placed in the groove for the driver, and after a preliminary rotation of 360° or more, set the capacitance. When adjusting with a screwdriver, it is recommended to use a load of 1N or less. Applying a load greater than this may result in damage or loss of function.
The stray capacitance when adjusted with a screwdriver can be reduced by attaching the negative terminal to the ground of the circuit.
2. Colors of Trimmer Capacitors by Capacitance Rank
Some trimmer capacitors have different color cases according to their capacitance ranks. The color classification differs depending on the manufacturer, but the following are some examples:
- Capacitors with a maximum capacitance (pF) of 3.0 +50/-0% are brown in appearance.
- Those with a maximum capacitance (pF) of 6.0 +50/-0% are blue in appearance.
- 10.0 +50/-0% of maximum capacitance (pF) is white.
Some capacitors have not only colors but also indications as shown below:
- Those with a maximum capacitance (pF) of 50.0 +100/-0% have a black exterior + indication
Indication will include the shape of the terminals and whether or not a cover film is used. Thus, color-coded trimmer capacitors allow the eye to easily determine the capacitance, thus reducing the risk of using the wrong one.
List of 14 Trimmer Capacitor Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Austria
- Japan
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Knowles Capacitors
Trimmer
Manufacturer Overview
Knowles Precision Devices, founded in 1985 in the USA, is a specialty component manufacturer of a wide variety of capacitors, microwave to millimeter wave components, thin film capacitors, and substrates. The company's performance microelectronics products include multi-layer ceramic capacitors, single-layer capacitors, trimmers, mm-wave filters, and resonators for use in critical applications in the military, medical, electric vehicle, and 5G market segments. Examples include radar, pacemakers, MRI equipment, electric vehicles, and mobile phone base stations.
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Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.,
Trimmer
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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CTS Corporation
Variable Capacitors
Company Overview
CTS Corporation was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois. CTS is a manufacturer and distributor of sensors, actuators, and various connectivity components to telecommunications infrastructure, information technology, and other high-speed applications such as the aerospace and medical markets. CTS operates in 3 primary market segments: Sense, Connect, and Move. The Sense market segment includes controls such as potentiometers, pedals, sensors, and switches. The Connect segment includes various types of resistors, capacitors, and frequency control products. The move segment includes piezoelectric move products, rotary actuators, and thermal products including ZIF PC board retainers and heatsinks.
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Avnet, Inc.
Trimmer Capacitors
Distributor Overview
Avnet, Inc. is an American distributor of electronic components and IT software originally founded in 1921 before its incorporation in 1961. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company offers various electronic components including analog switches, microcontrollers, and circuit protectors, as well as IT solutions such as cloud computing and data analytics software. These are used by their clients in the automotive, transportation, security, and communication sectors. Avnet, Inc. operates in over 140 countries across North America, Asia, and Europe, and has several subsidiaries including Hackster.io, Dragon Innovation, and EBV Elektronik.
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DAU GmbH & Co KG
Foil trimming capacitor
Manufacturer Overview
DAU, founded in Germany, in 1927 is a manufacturer of high-performance heat sinks for power semiconductors that control motors and electric drives. The company's product portfolio includes liquid-cooling and air-cooling systems to heat pipes, power electronics components and semiconductors. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation. The company also provides services including national distribution, product selection, installation, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and customer service.
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Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Variable capacitor
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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STMicroelectronics
RF Front-end
Manufacturer Overview
ST Micro Electronics is a global semiconductor company serving customers with innovations to have a positive impact on people's lives. Their product line is micro electronic systems, such as switches, controllers, sensors and drivers. The main selling point of ST Micro Electronics is its provision of sustainable products, and introducing their electronics to create a more sustainable world. The company, as well as providing the electronic devices, also provides software and support, ensuring that all fields are covered to provide a fully provide a supported and strong relationship with their customer base. ST Micro Electronics believe that technology plays a key role in helping to solve environmental and social challenges, which is why their semiconductor technologies start with their employees, their customers and partners.
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Exxelia
Trimmer capacitor
Manufacturer Overview
Exxelia was born in Paris, France in 2009 from the merger of five companies, the oldest of which was SIC-SAFCO, founded in France in 1921. The combined conglomerate is a manufacturer of electronic components to electronics manufacturers worldwide. The conglomerate’s entities are organized into 3 global business units: Capacitors, Magnetics, and Resistors & Subsystems. Capacitors are divided into basic materials such as aluminum electrolytic, ceramic, film, and tantalum. Magnetics are divided into functions with inductors, transformers, and rotors as subsections. Resistors & Subsystems are also divided by function and design with resistors, filters, position sensors, and mechanics & subassembly.
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Comet Group
Trimmer Capacitors
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jb Capacitors Company Limited
Ceramic Trimmer Capacito
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LCSC Electronics Technology HK Limited
Trimmers, Variable Capacitors
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Electronic Surplus
Variable Capacitor
Distributor Overview
Electronic Surplus, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Mentor, Ohio, United States, is a retail supplier of electronic components and parts. The company offers over 60,000 products, including capacitors, circuit breakers, and PC Card Edge Connectors. Its products are used by electronics professionals and hobbyists. It also purchases large quantities of surplus electronics components, including obsolete parts, discontinued products, and military parts. It also sources electronic components it doesn't currently have available. Its products are available for purchase in limited and large quantities via its online store.
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Tayda Electronics
Variable Trimmer Capacitors
Distributor Overview
Tayda Electronics, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, is a retail supplier of electronic components and parts. The company offers thousands of products, including capacitors, breakout boards, and electronics project kits. Its products are used by electronics professionals and hobbyists alike, as well as by students of electronics. It offers economical prices, inexpensive global shipping, and markets primarily to electronics hobbyists. It has warehousing and shipping facilities located in Bangkok and Durango, Colorado, United States.
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Kingtronics International Company
Chip ceramic trimmer capacitor
Distributor Overview
Kingtronics International Company was established in 1990 in Hong Kong and has several factories across China manufacturing electronic components such as bridge rectifiers. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified and works with several distributors around the world including KORE, Prod. El, DTDS, and others. The company produces two kinds of electronics components: passive components such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors including radial type and axial type, and active components such as diodes, transistors, and bridge rectifiers.
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Trimmer Capacitor Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CTS Corporation |
15.5%
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| 2 | DAU GmbH & Co KG |
14.5%
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| 3 | Exxelia |
10.9%
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| 4 | Kingtronics International Company |
9.1%
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| 5 | Avnet, Inc. |
8.2%
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| 6 | Knowles Capacitors |
7.3%
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| 7 | Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., |
6.4%
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| 8 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
6.4%
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| 9 | STMicroelectronics |
6.4%
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| 10 | Comet Group |
5.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the trimmer 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
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 77,581
- Avnet, Inc.: 15,300
- DAU GmbH & Co KG: 7,546
Newly Established Company
- Kingtronics International Company: 1990 (34 years ago)
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 1944 (80 years ago)
- Avnet, Inc.: 1921 (103 years ago)
Company with a History
- Avnet, Inc.: 1921 (103 years ago)
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 1944 (80 years ago)
- Kingtronics International Company: 1990 (34 years ago)
Trimmer Capacitor Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Trimmer Capacitor Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
4 | 66.7% |
Austria
|
1 | 16.7% |
Japan
|
1 | 16.7% |
