Protective coating minimizes the risk of flashover with MLCCs

Syfer Technology has introduced a range of compact multilayer chip capacitors suitable for high voltage applications, supplied with a built-in protective coating. Typically, with standard high voltage capacitors, a special coating is applied after the devices are soldered onto the board in order to minimize the risk of flashover from one termination on the chip to another.

Syfer's ProtectiCap process applied to its high voltage range of MLCCs has been developed specifically to address the flashover issue. The integral coating, a matte tin layer over the nickel FlexiCap base termination, minimizes the risk of flashover and avoids the need for the customer to apply conformal coating after soldering.

Aimed at applications such as power supplies, lighting ballasts, inverters/DC link, and general high voltage circuits, the X7R dielectric ProtectiCap range of MLCCs combines high voltage capability with small package size. The capacitance range of devices in this series is 100 pF to 33 nF, package sizes range from 1206 to 2220, and voltages available include 2 kV, 2.5 kV, 3 kV, 4 kV and 5 kV.      

Typical devices include a 2 kV MLCC in 1206 package with capacitance range of 100 pF to 3.3 nF, 2 kV MLCC in 2220 package with capacitance range of 220pF to 33 nF, 3 kV device in 1880 package with 100 pF to 3.3nF capacitance range, and 5 kV MLCC in 2220 package with 220 pF to 4.7 nF capacitance range.      

Additional specifications include operational temperature range of -55 to 125ºC, temperature coefficient of capacitance typically at ±5%, and insulation resistance of 100 Gohms.    

The range is fully compliant with the RoHS and WEEE directives and parts are compatible with lead free solders. The devices, manufactured at Syfer's Norwich, UK facility, are available immediately in sample packs or on standard six week delivery for production volumes.       

Visit Syfer at www.syfer.com

This article originally appeared in EETimes Europe.