Capacitors offering long life and superior performance for auxiliary power applications

Panasonic Automotive and Industrial Systems Europe announces the extension of its HL Series Electric Double Layer Capacitors (ELDCs), which offer low resistance combined with guaranteed long life over a wide temperature range, from -40C to +85C. The capacitors are wound radial lead type devices, which achieve far better capacitance compared to aluminium electrolytic capacitors (up to 1,000 times greater) and superior backup performance. Additional benefits of rapid charge and discharge cycles, (over 500,000 times) and exceptional ageing characteristics make the capacitors ideal for applications such as backup power supplies for servers and storage devices, solar-powered products, smart grid solutions, and driver-assist for motors and actuators in a variety of markets. The extension of the series adds nominal capacitance values of 2.5F, 4.5F and 7.5F to the existing 50F and 100F parts, all rated at 2.7VDC. These ELDCs are guaranteed to maintain their capacitance and internal resistance without drifting at low temperatures, as opposed to other products available from competitors where the capacitance and internal resistance values may change by ±30% and up to seven times respectively from initial measured values. New, smaller size devices are guaranteed for a life of 2,000 hours at +70C but can achieve 1,000 hours at 85C with voltage derating. For power backup applications where ageing characteristics cause a rise in internal resistance and rapid decline in capacitance, EDLC capacitors are especially beneficial. Due to the unique electrolyte used in the company’s parts, such ageing effects are mitigated, in effect leading to part count reduction. Andreas Lapucha, product marketing manager capacitors at Panasonic comments: “The extension of our HL Series within a year of its original launch testifies to the need for reliable, endurable and scalable backup solutions offering significant cost and space-saving benefits. The new leakage-safe electrolyte which does not produce any Hydrogen Cyanide gives us an edge over market competition in terms of extended temperature range and responsible environmental stewardship.”