Ever heard of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor? Sure, you have heard about capacitors being one of the power-driving components in electronics but when it comes to what an aluminum electrolytic capacitor does – it can be confusing right?
Well, in this article, we are going to reveal just what this type of capacitor is and the role it plays in enhancing the performance of consumer electronics.
What is an Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor?
Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia, defines it as a “polarized electrolytic capacitor whose anode electrode (+) is made of a pure aluminum foil with an etched surface.”
But just what does it do? The primary use is to smoothen or buffer the rectified DC voltages in many consumer electronics.
Digi-Key breaks it down further by highlighting that the electrolyte in the capacitor serves a major purpose of acting as a cathode. On the other hand, the thin insulating layer of aluminum oxide acts as the dielectric for the capacitor.
Having known this, what exactly is the function of MLP113M050EB0A? As per the information in the datasheet, it is an aluminum electrolytic capacitor that has a higher impedance ratio, a high temperature range and ultra long life.
Life Test
MLP113M050EB0A is subject to two (2) major life tests – the endurance life test and the shelf-life test.
Both tests proved that MLP113M050EB0A is worthy of lasting for many years. For example, the shelf-life test returned a DCL and an ESR of 100% of limit each. It also returned a 100% of limit for the capacitance.
On the other hand, the endurance life test returned an ESR of 200% of limit; a DCL of 100% limit and a capacitance of ±10%.
High-Energy Storage
The capacity to store energy is one important factor to consider when choosing an aluminum electrolytic capacitor. Thankfully, MLP113M050EB0A has enough provisions for that.
It drives a high-energy storage via the Type MLP’s design that also provides for a box-shape model. With these two in place, it is now possible to use MLP113M050EB0A to implement both filtering and voltage holdup in computer cards, military SEM-E modules and telecommunication circuit packs.
Ripple Current Doubling
MLP113M050EB0A also enables a ripple-current doubling and with this in place, it would be possible to double this capacity to the maximum.
But first, let us understand what the ripple current is all about. It is a mechanism in place to help ensure or assure that the case or package for the MLP113M050EB0A doesn’t exceed or go above the recommended 0.5-inch height.
For the capacity to be doubled, the core setting of using the maximum permissible internal core temperature of 88˚C would be needed.
Product Attributes
Below is the set of attributes or characteristics of the MLP113M050EB0A:
| Attributes | Descriptions |
| Height – Seated (maximum) | 0.500˚ (12.70mm) |
| Capacitance | 11000 µF |
| Lead Spacing | 1.000˚ (25.40mm) |
| Tolerance | ±20% |
| Typical Applications | General-purpose |
| Rated Voltage | 50-volts |
| Operating Temperature | Between -55˚C and |
| Equivalent Series Endurance (ESR) | 36mmOhm |
| Lifetime @ Temperature | 2000 Hours @ 85˚C |
| Size/Dimension | 3.000˚L x 1.750˚W (76.20mm x 44.45mm) |
MLP113M050EB0A Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor General Information
Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are known to follow a set of rules and that is what we want to talk about in this section.
1. The Anodization Principle
These capacitors are said to be “polarized” because of what is known as the anodization principle. It is a working principle that helps detail how the capacitors are to function.
These are some of the important facts about the principle:
2. DC Voltage Operation
One fact about the anodization principle is that it makes the MLP113M050EB0A to work with a DC voltage operation. In this instance, the DC voltage is to be applied with the correct polarity.
Otherwise, making an inappropriate addition of the polarity could cause the component to have a short circuit. If left unattended, it is possible to lead to component damage or malfunction.
3. Understand the Typical Applications
Aluminum electrolytic capacitors like MLP113M050EB0A are mainly used with DC-to-DC converters and power supply-centric applications. There are more of these applications.
The capacitors can also work well with industrial power supplies, the converters used in wind power plants and with switched-mode power supplies.
These capacitors can also be used with specific applications, such as the frequency converters. In this case, they are to be used with the likes of:
- Inverters for photovoltaic
- DC link capacitors for drives
MLP113M050EB0A Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Materials
For these capacitors to work efficiency, there have to be certain materials that boost the function. Examples of these materials are:
4. The Separator
The separator in an aluminum electrolytic capacitor is the material that demarcates or separates one component from the other.
The separator’s characteristics include an absorbent paper with high-purity. The paper helps to protect the two metal foils from having a direct contact.
Without the separator, it is possible for these foils to not just have a direct contact, but also cause the device to have short-circuit problems.
5. Anode
This is the capacitor’s basic material. It is made to aid an increase in the capacitor’s electrode surface. The increase is needed to smoothen the capacitor’s surface.
Worthy of mentioning is that the anode paves the way for the formation of aluminum oxide. Upon formation, the aluminum oxide helps to protect the metallic aluminum against the harsh or aggressive chemicals that come from the electrolyte.
6. Cathode
At a point, it becomes imperative for the aluminum electrolytic capacitor’s components to make a contact. It is the duty of the cathode to make this happen.
The cathode is a dedicated aluminum foil used to establish an electrical contact between the electrolyte and the capacitor.
In addition to being etched to enlarge the capacitor’s surface, the cathode is particular about how the connection is made. That is why it mostly uses alloyed metals like titanium, copper and silicon. These metals are used to increase the impossibility of oxide to form during the discharge process.
The cathode also regulates the capacitor’s susceptibility to be resistance to the electrical contact made to the electrolyte by alloying the foil with the aforementioned metals – copper, titanium and silicon.
Final Words
MLP113M050EB0A creates a polarized aluminum foil that forms an insulating layer, delivers up to 20 joules of energy storage and acts as the dielectric of the aluminum electrolytic capacitor
