Ceramic disc safety capacitors target EVs and PHEVs

18th July 2014

Vishay

Nat Bowers

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Datasheet

Providing high reliability for Class X1 (440V AC) and Y2 (300V AC) automotive applications, Vishay announces the AY2 series of AC-line-rated ceramic disc safety capacitors. These AEC-Q200-qualified devices are optimised for on-board chargers and battery management in electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), as well as high-reliability industrial applications.

Featuring U2J, Y5S, and Y5U ceramic dielectrics, the capacitors offer a capacitance range of 10-4700pF (with tolerances down to ±10%) over a temperature range from -55 to +125°C.

According to Vishay, the AY2 capacitors achieve an unmatched level of performance: they withstand more than 2,000 temperature cycles without a single failure, twice the AEC standard. With their superior robustness, the capacitors provide the highest levels of quality and reliability. They incorporate the very latest in ceramic material, capacitor design and production technologies.

The devices consist of a silver-plated ceramic disc with tinned copper connection leads offering 0.6mm diameters. AY2 capacitors are available with straight leads with spacing of 5, 7.5 and 10mm. RoHS-compliant and halogen-free, the capacitors' encapsulation is made of flame-resistant epoxy resin in accordance with UL 94 V-0.

In addition to complying with the IEC 60384-14 safety standard, the Vishay AY2 series capacitors are also qualified according to the AEC-Q200 specification, which includes the most stringent stress tests for passive components. A good example of the difference between the two standards is temperature cycling. The IEC 60384-14 standard requires that capacitors pass five full cycles over the complete operating temperature range. In contrast, the AEC standard requires a minimum number of 1,000 temperature cycles.

"In industrial electronics, where parts have to operate under extreme conditions, there is an ongoing trend towards higher quality and reliability standards," said Dr. Michael Lobenhofer, product marketing manager for ceramic capacitors at Vishay. "This requires the use of electronic components with long lifetimes and the utmost reliability. To meet the demands of the industrial market, we are releasing this completely new series of leaded Y2-rated ceramic safety capacitors - which is a further development of the company's well-established VY2 series - that offer unprecedented levels of quality and reliability."

Samples of the AY2 series are available now. Production quantities will be available in Q3 2014, with lead times of eight to 10 weeks for larger orders.