Factors affecting the use of ceramic capacitors in pulse-discharge applications
High energy density, high current, pulse discharge capacitors have been utilized at Sandia National Laboratories for many years as the energy storage medium in firing sets, trigger circuits and as laser power sources. To achieve the required high reliability under often extreme environmental conditions, these capacitors have typically utilized Mylar or mica-paper dielectrics for voltage applications in the 2--6 kV range with peak currents of a few kA having rise times around 100 nsec. or less. The increased demands for higher energy density (much lower volume) and lower cost capacitors as energy storage devices have accelerated Sandia`s research and development activities in the potential use of ceramic capacitors for these pulse discharge applications. The major weakness in utilizing this type of capacitor was its unknown reliability, in this particular usage mode, compared to discrete film-foil capacitors. Continued improvements in fabrication processes, materials and designs have demonstrated that satisfactory pulse discharge lifetimes can be achieved. Sandia`s progress in this field since C.A. Hall`s original studies will be presented showing that some ceramic capacitors from several commercial vendors have demonstrated pulse discharge lifetimes greater than 100,000 cycles. Derating of the manufacture`s rated voltage as a function of required discharge lifetime and operating voltage and changes in capacitance as a function of voltage stress and temperature are also presented for several ceramic capacitors with different dielectrics.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 634135
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-98-0202C; CONF-980324-; ON: DE98002730; BR: DP0101044; TRN: AHC2DT01%%146
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 18. Capacitor and resistor technology symposium, Huntington Beach, CA (United States), 9-12 Mar 1998; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Characterization of ceramic capacitors for high-voltage pulse-discharge applications
Low-inductance pulse-discharge capacitor study