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Capacitor Life Time Calculation

This document discusses methods for determining end-of-life, equivalent series resistance (ESR), and lifetime calculations for electrolytic capacitors operating at temperatures above 20°C. It describes using the Arrhenius equation as the basis for developing characteristics as temperature increases. Specifically, it provides equations for calculating ESR at different temperatures based on frequency and material properties, as well as lifetime based on maximum temperature, operating temperature, maximum voltage rating, and operating voltage. Examples are given to demonstrate how to apply the equations.

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185 views1 page

Capacitor Life Time Calculation

This document discusses methods for determining end-of-life, equivalent series resistance (ESR), and lifetime calculations for electrolytic capacitors operating at temperatures above 20°C. It describes using the Arrhenius equation as the basis for developing characteristics as temperature increases. Specifically, it provides equations for calculating ESR at different temperatures based on frequency and material properties, as well as lifetime based on maximum temperature, operating temperature, maximum voltage rating, and operating voltage. Examples are given to demonstrate how to apply the equations.

Uploaded by

badit991
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Determining end-of-life, ESR, and lifetime calculations for electrolytic capacitors at higher temperatures - 2008-08-20 00:00:00 | EDN Page 1

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Determining end-of-life, ESR, and lifetime calculations for electrolytic capacitors at higher temperatures
Employing the Arrhenius equation.
By Gregory Mirsky, Continental Automotive Systems -- EDN , August 20, 2008

This article shows how the Arrhenius equation is the basis for developing useful characteristics for electrolytic capacitors for temperatures greater than 20°C. For determining ESR at temperatures
below 20 °C, see the author's article, "ESR calculations for electrolytic capacitors at lower temperatures ."

1. Temperature range of T ≥ 20°C

An electrolytic capacitor's ESR (equivalent series resistance ) contains a frequency-dependent dielectric loss R due to the dissipation factor D of aluminum oxide and a temperature- dependent
ox ox
loss R due to the electrolyte -impregnated paper and the liquid electrolyte in the etched pits or tunnels of the foil.
sp

ESR = R +R
ox sp

Where R (f) = Dox/( 2 × π × f × C)


ox

D has a typical value of 0.015


ox

R ( T) = R (25°C) × 2 ^[−((T −25)/A)^B ]


sp sp

The possible temperature range is limited by 25 °C = &100°C but extrapolation to 125°C seems to be acceptable.

Coefficients A and B depend on the electrolyte type , and for a typical electrolyte -spacer, ethylene-glycol -based system the values are:

A = 40 and B = 0.6.

Hence, it is possible to determine the ESR at any temperature within the range of 25°C to 125 °C. The R value at normal temperature is usually provided by a capacitor manufacturer.
sp

Although ESR goes down with temperature increase, the ripple current may produce excessive heat even at elevated temperatures, adding up to the high environmental temperature. The
temperature increase ΔT due to the ripple current I can be calculated from
rip

ΔT = (I ) 2 × tanδ/(β × ω × A × C)
rip

Where A is the surface area of the can case , m 2

A = ( π/4 ) × D × ( D + 4 L ),

where: D = can diameter, L = can length, all in m

C is the capacitance value, F

ω is the cyclic frequency, s− 1

β is the heat transfer constant , which the manufacturer should know , W/(K × m 2)

Per Chemi-Con

β may have value between 7 and 13 W /( K × m 2) and has a slight negative temperature coefficient .

Therefore, one can determine the ESR at any temperature within the 25°C to 125°C range.

2. Lifetime calculation at T ≥ 20°C

In datasheets for its aluminum electrolytic capacitors , Hitachi AIC Inc. recommends determining the capacitor lifetime L using the Arrhenius formula as

L = L × 2(Tm –T) /10 × (Vm /V) 2.5


0

where L is the manufacturer-rated endurance at maximum temperature Tm, hours


0

T is the operating temperature of the capacitor, C

Vm is the maximum manufacturer -rated capacitor voltage, V

V is the operating voltage, V

For example: a device has a time -versus-temperature profile as follows:

2000 hrs between – 40°C and +68 °C

2560 hrs between +68°C and +81 °C

15380 hrs between +81 ° and +107 °C

600 hrs between +107°C and +125°C

It is necessary to determine the endurance period for an electrolytic capacitor below.

For the middle of the "hottest" range the Nichicon BT series 470 μF, 80V electrolytic capacitor will have an endurance period of :

L = 5000 × 2(125 –110)/10 × (80/55)2.5 = 36,085 hrs.


110

And the capacitor will use up "only" 600 hrs.

For the longest third range:

L = 102,065 hrs. That is, the endurance percentage is 15 ,380/102,065 = 15%.


107

For the second range:

L = 263,026 hrs, and the endurance percentage is: 2560/263,026 = 0.97%


81

For the maximum temperature:

L = 5000 × 2.55 = 12 ,758 hrs. That is, the endurance percentage is 600/12 ,758 = 4.7%.
125

For the lowest temperature :

L = 645,654 hrs. That is, the endurance percentage is 2000/645,654 = 0.31%.


68

In order to simplify the formula handling it is reasonable to use a logarithmic scale , and after a series of manipulations obtain

lg L = lg Lo + 0.03 ( Tm –T) + 2 .5 lg (Vm /V)

where lg is a decimal logarithm .

In order to adapt this formula to different capacitors operating at different voltages, one can plot graphs similar to those provided by Nichicon, which depict capacitors' lifetime dependence on
temperature as a series of straight lines having spacing corresponding to the operating voltage and lifetime at maximum temperature and rated voltage .
http://www.edn.com/article/print/471688-Determining_end_of_life_ESR_and_lifetime_calculations_for_electrolytic_capacitors_at_highe... 4/21/2011 10:17:35 PM

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