Why do we use polarized capacitors?





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$begingroup$


I want to know if the polarized capacitor has some advantage that they are used in some circuits?



For example, in a schematic of the BISS001 PIR controller IC, in some places, a polarized capacitor is used and in some places a non-polarized capacitor one.



Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?



Reference Docs:




  1. BISS001 datasheet

  2. HC-SR501 PIR MOTION DETECTOR datasheet


  3. Grove - PIR Motion Sensor or EasyEDA link




What I've understand from your answers is why the electrolytic capacitors are used, and why these are polarized.



But the designers of this circuit could have used a non-polarized capacitor or even polarized tantalum capacitors. Is it true? As the (Grove - PIR Motion Sensor) module uses polarized tantalum capacitors.



I want to know if the polarized capacitors are being used for circuit protection or is there any other reason (regardless of the type of capacitor.)



Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in these circuits?










share|improve this question









New contributor




hamid mousavi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 17




    $begingroup$
    It's not because we want them polarized, but them being polarized is a consequence of how they'r emade.
    $endgroup$
    – Hearth
    Apr 7 at 21:48






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Compare the prices of electrolytic caps with ceramic (or film) caps in the range of 10uF ~22uF (after taking bias voltage derating into consideration) and you will have one of the reasons.
    $endgroup$
    – Wesley Lee
    Apr 7 at 21:54










  • $begingroup$
    The very thin oxide layers, providing insulation for a certain polarity, provides a very compact energy storage module. Just view those useful electrolytic capacitors as early versions of self-assembled-nano-tech; the manufacturing process creates the very thin oxide layer: the oxide is GROWN or FORMED.
    $endgroup$
    – analogsystemsrf
    Apr 7 at 22:01






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in this circuits? -- no, there is no problem. But you may find it hard to find non-polarized capacitors of the same specification. Non-polarized capacitors are usually in the nF range and are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less). If you want anything in the uF or mF and/or rated at tens of volts you will have to make do with polarized capacitors
    $endgroup$
    – slebetman
    Apr 8 at 5:22








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    @slebetman "Non-polarized capacitors are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less)" - the reality is actually opposite of what you say.
    $endgroup$
    – Dmitry Grigoryev
    Apr 8 at 8:03


















21












$begingroup$


I want to know if the polarized capacitor has some advantage that they are used in some circuits?



For example, in a schematic of the BISS001 PIR controller IC, in some places, a polarized capacitor is used and in some places a non-polarized capacitor one.



Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?



Reference Docs:




  1. BISS001 datasheet

  2. HC-SR501 PIR MOTION DETECTOR datasheet


  3. Grove - PIR Motion Sensor or EasyEDA link




What I've understand from your answers is why the electrolytic capacitors are used, and why these are polarized.



But the designers of this circuit could have used a non-polarized capacitor or even polarized tantalum capacitors. Is it true? As the (Grove - PIR Motion Sensor) module uses polarized tantalum capacitors.



I want to know if the polarized capacitors are being used for circuit protection or is there any other reason (regardless of the type of capacitor.)



Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in these circuits?










share|improve this question









New contributor




hamid mousavi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$








  • 17




    $begingroup$
    It's not because we want them polarized, but them being polarized is a consequence of how they'r emade.
    $endgroup$
    – Hearth
    Apr 7 at 21:48






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Compare the prices of electrolytic caps with ceramic (or film) caps in the range of 10uF ~22uF (after taking bias voltage derating into consideration) and you will have one of the reasons.
    $endgroup$
    – Wesley Lee
    Apr 7 at 21:54










  • $begingroup$
    The very thin oxide layers, providing insulation for a certain polarity, provides a very compact energy storage module. Just view those useful electrolytic capacitors as early versions of self-assembled-nano-tech; the manufacturing process creates the very thin oxide layer: the oxide is GROWN or FORMED.
    $endgroup$
    – analogsystemsrf
    Apr 7 at 22:01






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in this circuits? -- no, there is no problem. But you may find it hard to find non-polarized capacitors of the same specification. Non-polarized capacitors are usually in the nF range and are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less). If you want anything in the uF or mF and/or rated at tens of volts you will have to make do with polarized capacitors
    $endgroup$
    – slebetman
    Apr 8 at 5:22








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    @slebetman "Non-polarized capacitors are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less)" - the reality is actually opposite of what you say.
    $endgroup$
    – Dmitry Grigoryev
    Apr 8 at 8:03














21












21








21


2



$begingroup$


I want to know if the polarized capacitor has some advantage that they are used in some circuits?



For example, in a schematic of the BISS001 PIR controller IC, in some places, a polarized capacitor is used and in some places a non-polarized capacitor one.



Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?



Reference Docs:




  1. BISS001 datasheet

  2. HC-SR501 PIR MOTION DETECTOR datasheet


  3. Grove - PIR Motion Sensor or EasyEDA link




What I've understand from your answers is why the electrolytic capacitors are used, and why these are polarized.



But the designers of this circuit could have used a non-polarized capacitor or even polarized tantalum capacitors. Is it true? As the (Grove - PIR Motion Sensor) module uses polarized tantalum capacitors.



I want to know if the polarized capacitors are being used for circuit protection or is there any other reason (regardless of the type of capacitor.)



Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in these circuits?










share|improve this question









New contributor




hamid mousavi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




I want to know if the polarized capacitor has some advantage that they are used in some circuits?



For example, in a schematic of the BISS001 PIR controller IC, in some places, a polarized capacitor is used and in some places a non-polarized capacitor one.



Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?



Reference Docs:




  1. BISS001 datasheet

  2. HC-SR501 PIR MOTION DETECTOR datasheet


  3. Grove - PIR Motion Sensor or EasyEDA link




What I've understand from your answers is why the electrolytic capacitors are used, and why these are polarized.



But the designers of this circuit could have used a non-polarized capacitor or even polarized tantalum capacitors. Is it true? As the (Grove - PIR Motion Sensor) module uses polarized tantalum capacitors.



I want to know if the polarized capacitors are being used for circuit protection or is there any other reason (regardless of the type of capacitor.)



Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in these circuits?







capacitor circuit-design polarity






share|improve this question









New contributor




hamid mousavi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question









New contributor




hamid mousavi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Apr 8 at 18:55









JakeGould

1155




1155






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asked Apr 7 at 21:36









hamid mousavihamid mousavi

11116




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New contributor




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New contributor





hamid mousavi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






hamid mousavi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 17




    $begingroup$
    It's not because we want them polarized, but them being polarized is a consequence of how they'r emade.
    $endgroup$
    – Hearth
    Apr 7 at 21:48






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Compare the prices of electrolytic caps with ceramic (or film) caps in the range of 10uF ~22uF (after taking bias voltage derating into consideration) and you will have one of the reasons.
    $endgroup$
    – Wesley Lee
    Apr 7 at 21:54










  • $begingroup$
    The very thin oxide layers, providing insulation for a certain polarity, provides a very compact energy storage module. Just view those useful electrolytic capacitors as early versions of self-assembled-nano-tech; the manufacturing process creates the very thin oxide layer: the oxide is GROWN or FORMED.
    $endgroup$
    – analogsystemsrf
    Apr 7 at 22:01






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in this circuits? -- no, there is no problem. But you may find it hard to find non-polarized capacitors of the same specification. Non-polarized capacitors are usually in the nF range and are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less). If you want anything in the uF or mF and/or rated at tens of volts you will have to make do with polarized capacitors
    $endgroup$
    – slebetman
    Apr 8 at 5:22








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    @slebetman "Non-polarized capacitors are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less)" - the reality is actually opposite of what you say.
    $endgroup$
    – Dmitry Grigoryev
    Apr 8 at 8:03














  • 17




    $begingroup$
    It's not because we want them polarized, but them being polarized is a consequence of how they'r emade.
    $endgroup$
    – Hearth
    Apr 7 at 21:48






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Compare the prices of electrolytic caps with ceramic (or film) caps in the range of 10uF ~22uF (after taking bias voltage derating into consideration) and you will have one of the reasons.
    $endgroup$
    – Wesley Lee
    Apr 7 at 21:54










  • $begingroup$
    The very thin oxide layers, providing insulation for a certain polarity, provides a very compact energy storage module. Just view those useful electrolytic capacitors as early versions of self-assembled-nano-tech; the manufacturing process creates the very thin oxide layer: the oxide is GROWN or FORMED.
    $endgroup$
    – analogsystemsrf
    Apr 7 at 22:01






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in this circuits? -- no, there is no problem. But you may find it hard to find non-polarized capacitors of the same specification. Non-polarized capacitors are usually in the nF range and are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less). If you want anything in the uF or mF and/or rated at tens of volts you will have to make do with polarized capacitors
    $endgroup$
    – slebetman
    Apr 8 at 5:22








  • 4




    $begingroup$
    @slebetman "Non-polarized capacitors are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less)" - the reality is actually opposite of what you say.
    $endgroup$
    – Dmitry Grigoryev
    Apr 8 at 8:03








17




17




$begingroup$
It's not because we want them polarized, but them being polarized is a consequence of how they'r emade.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
Apr 7 at 21:48




$begingroup$
It's not because we want them polarized, but them being polarized is a consequence of how they'r emade.
$endgroup$
– Hearth
Apr 7 at 21:48




2




2




$begingroup$
Compare the prices of electrolytic caps with ceramic (or film) caps in the range of 10uF ~22uF (after taking bias voltage derating into consideration) and you will have one of the reasons.
$endgroup$
– Wesley Lee
Apr 7 at 21:54




$begingroup$
Compare the prices of electrolytic caps with ceramic (or film) caps in the range of 10uF ~22uF (after taking bias voltage derating into consideration) and you will have one of the reasons.
$endgroup$
– Wesley Lee
Apr 7 at 21:54












$begingroup$
The very thin oxide layers, providing insulation for a certain polarity, provides a very compact energy storage module. Just view those useful electrolytic capacitors as early versions of self-assembled-nano-tech; the manufacturing process creates the very thin oxide layer: the oxide is GROWN or FORMED.
$endgroup$
– analogsystemsrf
Apr 7 at 22:01




$begingroup$
The very thin oxide layers, providing insulation for a certain polarity, provides a very compact energy storage module. Just view those useful electrolytic capacitors as early versions of self-assembled-nano-tech; the manufacturing process creates the very thin oxide layer: the oxide is GROWN or FORMED.
$endgroup$
– analogsystemsrf
Apr 7 at 22:01




4




4




$begingroup$
Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in this circuits? -- no, there is no problem. But you may find it hard to find non-polarized capacitors of the same specification. Non-polarized capacitors are usually in the nF range and are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less). If you want anything in the uF or mF and/or rated at tens of volts you will have to make do with polarized capacitors
$endgroup$
– slebetman
Apr 8 at 5:22






$begingroup$
Is there a problem if these capacitors are replaced with non-polarized capacitors in this circuits? -- no, there is no problem. But you may find it hard to find non-polarized capacitors of the same specification. Non-polarized capacitors are usually in the nF range and are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less). If you want anything in the uF or mF and/or rated at tens of volts you will have to make do with polarized capacitors
$endgroup$
– slebetman
Apr 8 at 5:22






4




4




$begingroup$
@slebetman "Non-polarized capacitors are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less)" - the reality is actually opposite of what you say.
$endgroup$
– Dmitry Grigoryev
Apr 8 at 8:03




$begingroup$
@slebetman "Non-polarized capacitors are usually rated for low voltage use (5V or less)" - the reality is actually opposite of what you say.
$endgroup$
– Dmitry Grigoryev
Apr 8 at 8:03










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















17












$begingroup$


Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?




Electrically speaking, non-polarized capacitor is always better than a polarized one. Yes, you can always replace with a non-polarized capacitor with exactly same rating.



But there is an assumption hidden here:
Provided you can find one that's physically small enough to fit on your board and cheap enough to fit in your budget. And the fact that you can't is the only reason we use polarized caps.



I assume that, if we ever learn to make non-polarized caps that are as cheap and dense (capacity-per-volume) as electrolytic ones, the polarized capacitors will vanish.



Side note - voltage and capacitance are not the only electrical parameters of a capacitor. They would suffice for an ideal capacitor, but real world brings other, ugly metrics. Like ESR, capacity coefficient with temperature or voltage, frequency response, etc. Circuits designed around quirks of particular tech can fail if the substitute differs there. Even being too good can cause trouble, eg. high-ESR caps naturally keep peak current in check so substituting with a theoretically superior low-ESR part can cause the whole thing to blow up. Adding ESR is trivial - but that's no longer a drop-in replacement, but rather a circuit redesign. So we don't replace electrolytics with something else not because polarization is important, it's just a nuisance. We keep them because of many other parameters, less obvious than C, V and polarization.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 2




    $begingroup$
    One thing that should also be noted is that in applications where the frequency response of the capacitor is important, you can't just replace one type with another, since they work well at different frequency ranges. Examples are e.g. noise filters.
    $endgroup$
    – nshct
    Apr 8 at 21:22










  • $begingroup$
    @nshct that's what I've meant by "other, ugly metrics" : ) Edited
    $endgroup$
    – Agent_L
    Apr 8 at 21:25












  • $begingroup$
    Suggestion: add to your answer a link about ESR : avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/resources/engineers-insight/article/…
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00



















36












$begingroup$

The physical size of a capacitor is a function of the thickness of the dielectric (among other things).



Early on, it was discovered that the oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) made good dielectrics, and could be made very thin through a chemical process — orders of magnitude thinner than other dielectrics such as waxed/oiled paper and plastic film. Therefore, the electrolytic capacitor was invented to provide high capacitance in a reasonable volume.



Unfortunately, the chemical process requires that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity, so these capacitors are "polarized". Reversing the polarity degrades and eventually destroys the oxide layer. It's something we just have to live with in order to take advantage of this technology.





The ability to produce high-value capacitors in nonpolarized technologies such as multilayer ceramic means that it is now possible to use them where only a polarized capacitor would have been previously available. There is generally no problem with making this substitution, although you may need to consider some of the quirks of the technology you're switching to.



For example, some high-K (high dielectric constant) ceramics exhibit significant capacitance changes with voltage. This might be acceptable in a coupling or bypass application, but completely unacceptable in a filter design.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    There is a specific use case where replacing tantalum devices with MLCC parts can have unfortunate effects: at the output of some (older) LDO regulators which require a certain minimum output ESR. It can be done, but some care is necessary.
    $endgroup$
    – Peter Smith
    Apr 8 at 9:03










  • $begingroup$
    Very nice answer! I'm trying to figure out if asking "Why does the chemical process used to make capacitor dielectrics from oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) require that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity?" but I'm not confident it will be on topic. Is there any chance you could add a hint here?
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Apr 8 at 10:28





















7












$begingroup$

Since you mention protection I'll add that polarized caps should not be used for reverse polarity protection. They will react on a reverse voltage very slowly (seconds or minutes), while typical sensitive components which are worth protecting will be dead within milliseconds. And once a polarized cap starts to absorb the reverse voltage, it may vent, explode or catch fire which (apart from the obvious problem with smoke and fire) can make it non-conductive again, exposing your circuit to the reverse voltage once more.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Good point here.
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00












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3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes








3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









17












$begingroup$


Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?




Electrically speaking, non-polarized capacitor is always better than a polarized one. Yes, you can always replace with a non-polarized capacitor with exactly same rating.



But there is an assumption hidden here:
Provided you can find one that's physically small enough to fit on your board and cheap enough to fit in your budget. And the fact that you can't is the only reason we use polarized caps.



I assume that, if we ever learn to make non-polarized caps that are as cheap and dense (capacity-per-volume) as electrolytic ones, the polarized capacitors will vanish.



Side note - voltage and capacitance are not the only electrical parameters of a capacitor. They would suffice for an ideal capacitor, but real world brings other, ugly metrics. Like ESR, capacity coefficient with temperature or voltage, frequency response, etc. Circuits designed around quirks of particular tech can fail if the substitute differs there. Even being too good can cause trouble, eg. high-ESR caps naturally keep peak current in check so substituting with a theoretically superior low-ESR part can cause the whole thing to blow up. Adding ESR is trivial - but that's no longer a drop-in replacement, but rather a circuit redesign. So we don't replace electrolytics with something else not because polarization is important, it's just a nuisance. We keep them because of many other parameters, less obvious than C, V and polarization.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 2




    $begingroup$
    One thing that should also be noted is that in applications where the frequency response of the capacitor is important, you can't just replace one type with another, since they work well at different frequency ranges. Examples are e.g. noise filters.
    $endgroup$
    – nshct
    Apr 8 at 21:22










  • $begingroup$
    @nshct that's what I've meant by "other, ugly metrics" : ) Edited
    $endgroup$
    – Agent_L
    Apr 8 at 21:25












  • $begingroup$
    Suggestion: add to your answer a link about ESR : avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/resources/engineers-insight/article/…
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00
















17












$begingroup$


Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?




Electrically speaking, non-polarized capacitor is always better than a polarized one. Yes, you can always replace with a non-polarized capacitor with exactly same rating.



But there is an assumption hidden here:
Provided you can find one that's physically small enough to fit on your board and cheap enough to fit in your budget. And the fact that you can't is the only reason we use polarized caps.



I assume that, if we ever learn to make non-polarized caps that are as cheap and dense (capacity-per-volume) as electrolytic ones, the polarized capacitors will vanish.



Side note - voltage and capacitance are not the only electrical parameters of a capacitor. They would suffice for an ideal capacitor, but real world brings other, ugly metrics. Like ESR, capacity coefficient with temperature or voltage, frequency response, etc. Circuits designed around quirks of particular tech can fail if the substitute differs there. Even being too good can cause trouble, eg. high-ESR caps naturally keep peak current in check so substituting with a theoretically superior low-ESR part can cause the whole thing to blow up. Adding ESR is trivial - but that's no longer a drop-in replacement, but rather a circuit redesign. So we don't replace electrolytics with something else not because polarization is important, it's just a nuisance. We keep them because of many other parameters, less obvious than C, V and polarization.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 2




    $begingroup$
    One thing that should also be noted is that in applications where the frequency response of the capacitor is important, you can't just replace one type with another, since they work well at different frequency ranges. Examples are e.g. noise filters.
    $endgroup$
    – nshct
    Apr 8 at 21:22










  • $begingroup$
    @nshct that's what I've meant by "other, ugly metrics" : ) Edited
    $endgroup$
    – Agent_L
    Apr 8 at 21:25












  • $begingroup$
    Suggestion: add to your answer a link about ESR : avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/resources/engineers-insight/article/…
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00














17












17








17





$begingroup$


Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?




Electrically speaking, non-polarized capacitor is always better than a polarized one. Yes, you can always replace with a non-polarized capacitor with exactly same rating.



But there is an assumption hidden here:
Provided you can find one that's physically small enough to fit on your board and cheap enough to fit in your budget. And the fact that you can't is the only reason we use polarized caps.



I assume that, if we ever learn to make non-polarized caps that are as cheap and dense (capacity-per-volume) as electrolytic ones, the polarized capacitors will vanish.



Side note - voltage and capacitance are not the only electrical parameters of a capacitor. They would suffice for an ideal capacitor, but real world brings other, ugly metrics. Like ESR, capacity coefficient with temperature or voltage, frequency response, etc. Circuits designed around quirks of particular tech can fail if the substitute differs there. Even being too good can cause trouble, eg. high-ESR caps naturally keep peak current in check so substituting with a theoretically superior low-ESR part can cause the whole thing to blow up. Adding ESR is trivial - but that's no longer a drop-in replacement, but rather a circuit redesign. So we don't replace electrolytics with something else not because polarization is important, it's just a nuisance. We keep them because of many other parameters, less obvious than C, V and polarization.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$




Can I use a non-polarized capacitor with the same voltage and capacitance instead of these polarizing capacitors?




Electrically speaking, non-polarized capacitor is always better than a polarized one. Yes, you can always replace with a non-polarized capacitor with exactly same rating.



But there is an assumption hidden here:
Provided you can find one that's physically small enough to fit on your board and cheap enough to fit in your budget. And the fact that you can't is the only reason we use polarized caps.



I assume that, if we ever learn to make non-polarized caps that are as cheap and dense (capacity-per-volume) as electrolytic ones, the polarized capacitors will vanish.



Side note - voltage and capacitance are not the only electrical parameters of a capacitor. They would suffice for an ideal capacitor, but real world brings other, ugly metrics. Like ESR, capacity coefficient with temperature or voltage, frequency response, etc. Circuits designed around quirks of particular tech can fail if the substitute differs there. Even being too good can cause trouble, eg. high-ESR caps naturally keep peak current in check so substituting with a theoretically superior low-ESR part can cause the whole thing to blow up. Adding ESR is trivial - but that's no longer a drop-in replacement, but rather a circuit redesign. So we don't replace electrolytics with something else not because polarization is important, it's just a nuisance. We keep them because of many other parameters, less obvious than C, V and polarization.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Apr 9 at 10:03









Ismael Miguel

17319




17319










answered Apr 8 at 9:13









Agent_LAgent_L

1,085611




1,085611








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    One thing that should also be noted is that in applications where the frequency response of the capacitor is important, you can't just replace one type with another, since they work well at different frequency ranges. Examples are e.g. noise filters.
    $endgroup$
    – nshct
    Apr 8 at 21:22










  • $begingroup$
    @nshct that's what I've meant by "other, ugly metrics" : ) Edited
    $endgroup$
    – Agent_L
    Apr 8 at 21:25












  • $begingroup$
    Suggestion: add to your answer a link about ESR : avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/resources/engineers-insight/article/…
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00














  • 2




    $begingroup$
    One thing that should also be noted is that in applications where the frequency response of the capacitor is important, you can't just replace one type with another, since they work well at different frequency ranges. Examples are e.g. noise filters.
    $endgroup$
    – nshct
    Apr 8 at 21:22










  • $begingroup$
    @nshct that's what I've meant by "other, ugly metrics" : ) Edited
    $endgroup$
    – Agent_L
    Apr 8 at 21:25












  • $begingroup$
    Suggestion: add to your answer a link about ESR : avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/resources/engineers-insight/article/…
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00








2




2




$begingroup$
One thing that should also be noted is that in applications where the frequency response of the capacitor is important, you can't just replace one type with another, since they work well at different frequency ranges. Examples are e.g. noise filters.
$endgroup$
– nshct
Apr 8 at 21:22




$begingroup$
One thing that should also be noted is that in applications where the frequency response of the capacitor is important, you can't just replace one type with another, since they work well at different frequency ranges. Examples are e.g. noise filters.
$endgroup$
– nshct
Apr 8 at 21:22












$begingroup$
@nshct that's what I've meant by "other, ugly metrics" : ) Edited
$endgroup$
– Agent_L
Apr 8 at 21:25






$begingroup$
@nshct that's what I've meant by "other, ugly metrics" : ) Edited
$endgroup$
– Agent_L
Apr 8 at 21:25














$begingroup$
Suggestion: add to your answer a link about ESR : avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/resources/engineers-insight/article/…
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 10 at 5:00




$begingroup$
Suggestion: add to your answer a link about ESR : avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/resources/engineers-insight/article/…
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 10 at 5:00













36












$begingroup$

The physical size of a capacitor is a function of the thickness of the dielectric (among other things).



Early on, it was discovered that the oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) made good dielectrics, and could be made very thin through a chemical process — orders of magnitude thinner than other dielectrics such as waxed/oiled paper and plastic film. Therefore, the electrolytic capacitor was invented to provide high capacitance in a reasonable volume.



Unfortunately, the chemical process requires that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity, so these capacitors are "polarized". Reversing the polarity degrades and eventually destroys the oxide layer. It's something we just have to live with in order to take advantage of this technology.





The ability to produce high-value capacitors in nonpolarized technologies such as multilayer ceramic means that it is now possible to use them where only a polarized capacitor would have been previously available. There is generally no problem with making this substitution, although you may need to consider some of the quirks of the technology you're switching to.



For example, some high-K (high dielectric constant) ceramics exhibit significant capacitance changes with voltage. This might be acceptable in a coupling or bypass application, but completely unacceptable in a filter design.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    There is a specific use case where replacing tantalum devices with MLCC parts can have unfortunate effects: at the output of some (older) LDO regulators which require a certain minimum output ESR. It can be done, but some care is necessary.
    $endgroup$
    – Peter Smith
    Apr 8 at 9:03










  • $begingroup$
    Very nice answer! I'm trying to figure out if asking "Why does the chemical process used to make capacitor dielectrics from oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) require that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity?" but I'm not confident it will be on topic. Is there any chance you could add a hint here?
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Apr 8 at 10:28


















36












$begingroup$

The physical size of a capacitor is a function of the thickness of the dielectric (among other things).



Early on, it was discovered that the oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) made good dielectrics, and could be made very thin through a chemical process — orders of magnitude thinner than other dielectrics such as waxed/oiled paper and plastic film. Therefore, the electrolytic capacitor was invented to provide high capacitance in a reasonable volume.



Unfortunately, the chemical process requires that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity, so these capacitors are "polarized". Reversing the polarity degrades and eventually destroys the oxide layer. It's something we just have to live with in order to take advantage of this technology.





The ability to produce high-value capacitors in nonpolarized technologies such as multilayer ceramic means that it is now possible to use them where only a polarized capacitor would have been previously available. There is generally no problem with making this substitution, although you may need to consider some of the quirks of the technology you're switching to.



For example, some high-K (high dielectric constant) ceramics exhibit significant capacitance changes with voltage. This might be acceptable in a coupling or bypass application, but completely unacceptable in a filter design.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    There is a specific use case where replacing tantalum devices with MLCC parts can have unfortunate effects: at the output of some (older) LDO regulators which require a certain minimum output ESR. It can be done, but some care is necessary.
    $endgroup$
    – Peter Smith
    Apr 8 at 9:03










  • $begingroup$
    Very nice answer! I'm trying to figure out if asking "Why does the chemical process used to make capacitor dielectrics from oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) require that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity?" but I'm not confident it will be on topic. Is there any chance you could add a hint here?
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Apr 8 at 10:28
















36












36








36





$begingroup$

The physical size of a capacitor is a function of the thickness of the dielectric (among other things).



Early on, it was discovered that the oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) made good dielectrics, and could be made very thin through a chemical process — orders of magnitude thinner than other dielectrics such as waxed/oiled paper and plastic film. Therefore, the electrolytic capacitor was invented to provide high capacitance in a reasonable volume.



Unfortunately, the chemical process requires that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity, so these capacitors are "polarized". Reversing the polarity degrades and eventually destroys the oxide layer. It's something we just have to live with in order to take advantage of this technology.





The ability to produce high-value capacitors in nonpolarized technologies such as multilayer ceramic means that it is now possible to use them where only a polarized capacitor would have been previously available. There is generally no problem with making this substitution, although you may need to consider some of the quirks of the technology you're switching to.



For example, some high-K (high dielectric constant) ceramics exhibit significant capacitance changes with voltage. This might be acceptable in a coupling or bypass application, but completely unacceptable in a filter design.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$



The physical size of a capacitor is a function of the thickness of the dielectric (among other things).



Early on, it was discovered that the oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) made good dielectrics, and could be made very thin through a chemical process — orders of magnitude thinner than other dielectrics such as waxed/oiled paper and plastic film. Therefore, the electrolytic capacitor was invented to provide high capacitance in a reasonable volume.



Unfortunately, the chemical process requires that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity, so these capacitors are "polarized". Reversing the polarity degrades and eventually destroys the oxide layer. It's something we just have to live with in order to take advantage of this technology.





The ability to produce high-value capacitors in nonpolarized technologies such as multilayer ceramic means that it is now possible to use them where only a polarized capacitor would have been previously available. There is generally no problem with making this substitution, although you may need to consider some of the quirks of the technology you're switching to.



For example, some high-K (high dielectric constant) ceramics exhibit significant capacitance changes with voltage. This might be acceptable in a coupling or bypass application, but completely unacceptable in a filter design.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Apr 8 at 0:02

























answered Apr 7 at 22:01









Dave TweedDave Tweed

124k10154269




124k10154269








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    There is a specific use case where replacing tantalum devices with MLCC parts can have unfortunate effects: at the output of some (older) LDO regulators which require a certain minimum output ESR. It can be done, but some care is necessary.
    $endgroup$
    – Peter Smith
    Apr 8 at 9:03










  • $begingroup$
    Very nice answer! I'm trying to figure out if asking "Why does the chemical process used to make capacitor dielectrics from oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) require that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity?" but I'm not confident it will be on topic. Is there any chance you could add a hint here?
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Apr 8 at 10:28
















  • 1




    $begingroup$
    There is a specific use case where replacing tantalum devices with MLCC parts can have unfortunate effects: at the output of some (older) LDO regulators which require a certain minimum output ESR. It can be done, but some care is necessary.
    $endgroup$
    – Peter Smith
    Apr 8 at 9:03










  • $begingroup$
    Very nice answer! I'm trying to figure out if asking "Why does the chemical process used to make capacitor dielectrics from oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) require that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity?" but I'm not confident it will be on topic. Is there any chance you could add a hint here?
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Apr 8 at 10:28










1




1




$begingroup$
There is a specific use case where replacing tantalum devices with MLCC parts can have unfortunate effects: at the output of some (older) LDO regulators which require a certain minimum output ESR. It can be done, but some care is necessary.
$endgroup$
– Peter Smith
Apr 8 at 9:03




$begingroup$
There is a specific use case where replacing tantalum devices with MLCC parts can have unfortunate effects: at the output of some (older) LDO regulators which require a certain minimum output ESR. It can be done, but some care is necessary.
$endgroup$
– Peter Smith
Apr 8 at 9:03












$begingroup$
Very nice answer! I'm trying to figure out if asking "Why does the chemical process used to make capacitor dielectrics from oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) require that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity?" but I'm not confident it will be on topic. Is there any chance you could add a hint here?
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Apr 8 at 10:28






$begingroup$
Very nice answer! I'm trying to figure out if asking "Why does the chemical process used to make capacitor dielectrics from oxides of certain metals (aluminum and tantalum in particular) require that the voltage across the capacitor must have only a single polarity?" but I'm not confident it will be on topic. Is there any chance you could add a hint here?
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Apr 8 at 10:28













7












$begingroup$

Since you mention protection I'll add that polarized caps should not be used for reverse polarity protection. They will react on a reverse voltage very slowly (seconds or minutes), while typical sensitive components which are worth protecting will be dead within milliseconds. And once a polarized cap starts to absorb the reverse voltage, it may vent, explode or catch fire which (apart from the obvious problem with smoke and fire) can make it non-conductive again, exposing your circuit to the reverse voltage once more.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Good point here.
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00
















7












$begingroup$

Since you mention protection I'll add that polarized caps should not be used for reverse polarity protection. They will react on a reverse voltage very slowly (seconds or minutes), while typical sensitive components which are worth protecting will be dead within milliseconds. And once a polarized cap starts to absorb the reverse voltage, it may vent, explode or catch fire which (apart from the obvious problem with smoke and fire) can make it non-conductive again, exposing your circuit to the reverse voltage once more.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Good point here.
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00














7












7








7





$begingroup$

Since you mention protection I'll add that polarized caps should not be used for reverse polarity protection. They will react on a reverse voltage very slowly (seconds or minutes), while typical sensitive components which are worth protecting will be dead within milliseconds. And once a polarized cap starts to absorb the reverse voltage, it may vent, explode or catch fire which (apart from the obvious problem with smoke and fire) can make it non-conductive again, exposing your circuit to the reverse voltage once more.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$



Since you mention protection I'll add that polarized caps should not be used for reverse polarity protection. They will react on a reverse voltage very slowly (seconds or minutes), while typical sensitive components which are worth protecting will be dead within milliseconds. And once a polarized cap starts to absorb the reverse voltage, it may vent, explode or catch fire which (apart from the obvious problem with smoke and fire) can make it non-conductive again, exposing your circuit to the reverse voltage once more.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Apr 8 at 8:09









Dmitry GrigoryevDmitry Grigoryev

18.5k22878




18.5k22878












  • $begingroup$
    Good point here.
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00


















  • $begingroup$
    Good point here.
    $endgroup$
    – Overmind
    Apr 10 at 5:00
















$begingroup$
Good point here.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 10 at 5:00




$begingroup$
Good point here.
$endgroup$
– Overmind
Apr 10 at 5:00










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