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Capacitor arrays save space, heat

NIC Components Corp. has broadened its line of capacitors to address two common design issues: the relatively large space requirements of conventional capacitors, and the power loss and heat generated by tantalum capacitors. 

To conserve board space, NIC, Melville, N.Y., offers the NCA series of surface-mount capacitor arrays. The eight-terminal EIA 1206-size components contain four isolated ceramic capacitors. Available values are 0.47 to 22 pF. The arrays come in three temperature-coefficient models: NPO (-55°C to +125°C) in values from 10 to 1,000 pF; X7R (-55°C to +125°C) in values from 0.15 pF to 470 µF; and Y5V (-30°C to +85°C) in values from 0.01 to 0.47 µF. Voltage ratings are 16 to 100 VDC. Prices for the company's NCA series of capacitor arrays range from 8 to 12 cents each, depending on value and quantity. Lead time is six to eight weeks. 
 

NIC's NTC-L series of low-ESR tantalum chip capacitors are designed for high-ripple applications, and have ESR characteristics as low as 0.10 ohm, which reduces power loss and heat generation compared with conventional tantalum capacitors. They come in capacitance values from 10 to 220 µF in voltage ratings of 6.3 to 35 VDC. Operating temperature is -55°C to +85°C, with de-rated operation to +125°C.

Devices in the NTC-L series are priced from 25 to 40 cents, with a lead time of eight to 10 weeks.