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Are RoHS and Pb-Free products available from NIC? What is ESR? What is an E-Cap? What is the difference between a "Solid" or "Polymer" or "Organic Semiconductor" Aluminum E-Cap? What is the difference between "Liquid", "Hybrid" and "Solid" Type Aluminum E-Caps? What is the difference between a "Polymer" or "Polymer Cathode" and standard Tantalum E-Cap? Who is NIC? For whom is this website intended? Who can I contact for technical assistance or information on NIC's products? Who do I contact for a price - delivery quote on NIC's products? How can I get samples of NIC products? How can my company participate in NIC's SADU program? Where can I find information on NIC product changes or discontinued items? What is the breakdown of the date coding systems (on component and/or packaging)? What are the recommended storage conditions for NIC's products? Is NIC ISO-9001 certified? Where can I find Import - Export Codes for NIC's products? How can I get directions to NIC facilities? I can't open your pdf documents... or I need a copy of the pdf reader...
Are RoHS and Pb-Free products available from NIC? Yes, NIC offers RoHS and Pb-Free (Lead-Free) versions of it's products. NIC is migrating to RoHS versions as standard (inventoried) format by March 2005. On-line guidelines, roadmap and details: Guides \| FAQ \| Data \| Support
What is ESR? ESR is an abbreviation for Equivalent Series Resistance, the characteristic representing the sum of resistive (ohmic) losses within a capacitor. While ESR is undesirable, all capacitors exhibit it to some degree. Materials and construction techniques used to produce the capacitor all contribute to the component's ESR value. ESR is a frequency dependent characteristic, so comparison between component types should be referenced to same frequency. Industry standard reference for ESR is 100kHz at +25°C. Power dissipation within the capacitor, and the effectiveness of the capacitor's noise suppression characteristics will be related directly to the ESR value. [ For more information see: Web Exclusive: "An Introduction to Low ESR Capacitors" - version ] Return to top
What is an E-Cap? E-Cap is an abbreviation for Electrolytic Capacitor. Electrolytic capacitors include Aluminum E-Caps (SMT and Leaded Types) and Tantalum E-Caps (link). E-Caps feature high capacitance value in relatively small component sizes. All E-Caps are polarized with anode (+) and cathode (-) terminals. Return to top
What is the difference between a "Solid" or "Polymer" or "Organic" or "Organic Semiconductor" Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor? These terms essentially refer to the same thing... All of these terms (when applied to aluminum electrolytic capacitors) refer to the electrolyte composition. The use of a solid (polymer - organic semiconductor) electrolyte (in place of a more common liquid electrolyte) in aluminum electrolytic capacitors, results in improvements of greatly reduced ESR, higher ripple current ratings and extended operational life. [ more info ] * NIC Solid Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors:& (Liquid - Hybrid - Solid) Electrolyte Materials Comparison Return to top
What are the differences between "Liquid", "Hybrid" and "Solid" Type Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors? These terms (when applied to aluminum electrolytic capacitors) refer to the electrolyte type composition. The electrolyte acts as an electrical connection between the (-) cathode and the dielectric. Different forms (liquid - hybrid - solid) electrolytes have been developed over the years. Each type has benefits (PROS) and undesirable (CONS) characteristics. Development of better electrolytes has primarily focused on reducing the ESR and increasing the ripple current rating, by using higher conductivity materials. Improving the capacitor's electrical characteristics over temperature (specifically at low temperature) and extending operational life have also been driving R&D in electrolyte development. [ for more info, see Liquid - Hybrid - Solid Electrolyte Materials Comparison ] Return to top
What is the difference between a "Polymer" or "Polymer Cathode" and standard Tantalum Electrolytic Capacitor? Standard tantalum electrolytic capacitors have a cathode of MnO2 (Manganese Oxide). Recently developed polymer type tantalum electrolytic capacitors have the MnO2 cathode replaced by a highly conductive polymer (polypyrrole). Polymer cathode tantalum electrolytic capacitors feature reduced ESR, higher ripple current ratings and suppression of combustion (improved safety factor) as compared to MnO2 cathode types. [ more info ] * NIC Polymer Cathode Tantalum Electrolytic Capacitors: [ NTP cross reference ] Return to top
Who is NIC? Since its 1982 inception, NIC Components Corp. [ T] has grown to become a leading supplier of surface mount (SMT) and leaded Capacitors, Resistors, Magnetics, Varistors and Diodes. From it's Melville, NY and San Jose, CA operations, NIC has expanded it's sales and warehousing operations into Mexico, Europe and Asia (Singapore), providing the means to support OEM and CEM customers worldwide. See NIC Company Profiles at link & link Return to top
For whom is this website intended? This Website is intended for use by NIC customers, potential NIC customers, NIC distributors and NIC personnel. Information provided covers NIC products and helpful tools. To request additional information, please contact NIC. Return to top
Who can I contact for technical assistance or information on NIC's products? For immediate assistance: Contact support personnel directly via Live Web-based Support E-mail our Technical Product Group at tpmg@niccomp.com Return to top
Who do I contact for a price - delivery quote on NIC's products? Contact one of our franchised distributors at link Contact one of our sales representatives at link Contact NIC directly at link Return to top
How can I get samples of NIC products? On-line sample order entry at link or fax request (pdf form) to closest NIC office link Return to top
How can my company participate in NIC's SADU program? NIC's Strategic Account Development Unit (SADU) expertise is in customized support solutions to the OEM or CEM with PCB assembly operations in multiple locations. To find out how your company can benefit from this program, contact SADU at e-mail: sadu@niccomp.com fax (USA): 1-631-396-7575, phone (USA): 1-631-396-7500 x 1598 Return to top
Where can I find information on NIC product changes or discontinued items? + On-line product change notices (PCNs) are posted at link + Old discontinued products and alternate - substitutions are shown at link + PCNs are also found at www.pcnalert.com Return to top
What is the breakdown of the date coding systems (on component and / or packaging)? NIC uses industry standard 4 digit (YYWW) date code system ("0116" = 16th week of year 2001) on the majority of our products. Date code can be found on either the component packaging (reel or box) label or printed on the component itself. In the case of leaded aluminum electrolytic capacitors, the date code appears on the component sleeve. (see pdf document). On small SMT components, where marking space is minimal, abbreviated date coding systems are used: SMT Tantalum Electrolytic Capacitors (link, see page 3) SMT Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors (link) SMT Rectifier Diodes (link) Return to top
What are the recommended storage conditions for NIC's products? Recommended storage conditions: - Indoors - Temperature: +5°C ~ +35°C (41°F ~ 95°F). - Relative humidity: 40 to 75%. Conditions outside these limits may adversely effect the packaging materials and/or the components' solderability characteristics. (pdf document version) Return to top
Is NIC ISO-9001 certified? Yes, NIC has ISO-9001:2000 certification from UL-Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Link: ISO Cert Return to top
How can I get directions to NIC facilities? On-line driving directions to NIC (Melville, NY) at link Return to top
Where can I find Import - Export Codes for NIC's products? NIC Product Tariff Codes Table & ECCN classification information are located at link Return to top
I can't open your pdf documents... or I need a copy of the pdf reader... Download up-to-date pdf reader at link If you continue to have difficulty, please contact NIC at tpmg@niccomp.com Return to top