Capacitor Parameters
Here is a collection of data relating to capacitors, more specifically, some of the apparently random codes that are used to identify their parameters.
General Tolerance Codes for Capacitors
| Code | Value | Code | Value | |
B |
± 0.1 pF |
N | ± 30% | |
C |
± 0.25 pF |
P | +80%, -0% | |
D |
± 0.5 pF |
Q | +30%, -10% | |
| E | ± 0.5% | R | +30%, -20% | |
F |
± 1% |
S | +50%, -20% | |
G |
± 2% |
T | +50%, -10% | |
H |
± 3% |
V | +100%, -10% | |
J |
± 5% | Y | +50%, -0% | |
K |
± 10% |
Z | +80%, -20% | |
M |
± 20% |
Temperature Coefficient Codes for Class I Ceramics
These are the temperature compensated dielectrics with low value, large size and good stability.
Significant Figure in ppm/°C |
Multiplier |
Tolerance in ppm/°C (25-85°C) |
|||
Code |
Value |
Code |
Value |
Code |
Value |
C |
0.0 |
0 |
-1 |
G |
±30 |
B |
0.3 |
1 |
-10 |
H |
±60 |
L |
0.8 |
2 |
-100 |
J |
±120 |
A |
0.9 |
3 |
-1000 |
K |
±250 |
M |
1.0 |
4 |
+1 |
L |
± 500 |
P |
1.5 |
6 |
+10 |
M |
± 1000 |
R |
2.2 |
7 |
+100 |
N |
± 2500 |
S |
3.3 |
8 |
+1000 |
|
|
T |
4.7 |
|
|
|
|
V |
5.6 |
|
|
|
|
U |
7.5 |
|
|
|
|
For example: C0G means 0.0 ± 30 ppm/°C from 25 to 85°C
An alternative version of marking uses an N or a P to identify the slope direction followed by digits indicating the slope value.
| EIA | M7G | C0G | B2G | U1G | P2G | R2G | S2H | T2H | U2J | P3K | R3L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | P100 | NP0 | N030 | N075 | N150 | N220 | N330 | N470 | N750 | N1500 | N2200 |
Temperature Coefficient Codes for Class II and III Ceramics
These dielectrics have better volumetric efficiency but are less stable and more lossy than class I types.
Low Temp. Limit |
High Temp. Limit |
Capacitance Change over Range |
|||
Code |
Value |
Code |
Value |
Code |
Value |
X |
-55°C |
2 | +45°C | A |
± 1.0% |
Y |
-30°C |
4 |
+65°C |
B |
± 1.5% |
Z |
+10°C |
5 |
+85°C |
C |
± 2.2% |
|
|
6 |
+105°C |
D |
± 3.3% |
|
|
7 |
+125°C |
E |
± 4.7% |
|
|
8 |
+150°C |
F |
± 7.5% |
|
|
9 |
+200°C |
P |
± 10% |
|
|
|
|
R |
± 15% |
|
|
|
|
S |
± 22% |
|
|
|
|
T |
+22% -33% |
|
|
|
|
U |
+22% -56% |
|
|
|
|
V |
+22% -82% |
For example: X7R means ± 15% change in capacitance from -55 to 125°C
Capacitor Application Data
Here are links to some good capacitor application data in .pdf format. They generally outline capacitor parameters and behavioural peculiarities:
Ceramic
www.kemet.com - ceramic capacitor characteristics
Film
www.cde.com - film capacitor types and their characteristics
Aluminium Electrolytics
www.cde.com - solid polymer aluminium
Tantalum