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Capacitor Info & Resources
for the Power Electronics Industry.

Educational Resources

2024-2025 Capacitor Basics Webinar Series

Upcoming Webinars:

December 3, 2024

Capacitors 301: Choosing Correct Input/Output Capacitor Types and Combinations for Power Converters

Abstract: In this webinar we talk about the need for choosing the correct type of input and output storage & filter capacitors in power converters; what role ceramic and electrolytic capacitor types have in the design, and how the noise on the converter input voltage will change with the varying amount of capacitance. We will show exactly how to calculate the ceramic and electrolytic capacitor type values that are needed for a given specification, specifically calculating how much ceramic capacitance is needed at the input side of the converter to reduce the input voltage ripple to a specified value. Discuss how to calculate the size for the energy storage/bulk electrolytic capacitors including voltage rating and ripple current rating

Presenter: Victor Boyadzhyan, NuTECH Labs LLC

Mr. Boyadzhyan is a Principal Electrical Design Engineer, specializing in power electronics and renewable energy systems. He holds an M.S.E.E. degree in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology, where he focused on advanced power converter designs in the class of David Middlebrook.

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Mr. Boyadzhyan has delivered projects for NASA JPL, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Panasonic Avionics, Embraer Avionics, Monogram Systems, and on high-efficiency power converter Circuit Cards. He has published over 15 papers in reputed journals and conferences. Mr. Boyadzhyan holds a U.S. patent from California Institute of Technology on Electron Tunneling IR Sensor Module with Integrated Control circuitry. He has been a co-chair for PSMA Energy Storage and Capacitor committees for the past several years.

Currently, Mr. Victor Boyadzhyan is working on developing next-generation power conversion systems for airborne projects. His current research interests include High efficiency and High-power converter circuit cards.He is passionate about advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering innovation in power electronics.

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Completed Webinars:

October 22, 2024

Capacitors 201 – Capacitor Basics and Technologies the Sequel

Abstract: Capacitors make up two thirds of all electronic components and there is a huge diversity of technologies which can overwhelm young engineers. All capacitors store electrical energy in the electrical field created in a dielectric material and they are used for very diverse applications like voltage stability and filtering. How that works differs between tiny MLCCs and huge electrolytic cells, from pF ratings up to the hundreds of Farads in supercapacitors. In this presentation, we continue the introduction of different capacitor including MLCCs and supercapacitor solutions taking into account the advantages and disadvantages.

Presenter: Dr Alan Cooper, YAEGO Group

Alan Cooper is a principal technical marketing engineer with the YAGEO group. He is a EE3 in electronics and electrical engineering from Manchester University UK. With a specialization in control systems and  film growth. Alan has 30 plus years in the Automotive industry, which includes CAE Tools, digital and analogue component modelling, advanced R&D projects, and design of supercapacitor modules to start ICE vehicles. He joined KEMET corporation as an FAE with automotive specialization and since promoted to KSIM Product manager and Systems Engineer, recently delivering systems engineering for YAGEOs Power Array Calculator.

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September 10, 2024

Capacitors 101 – Capacitor Basics and Technologies

Abstract: Capacitors make up two thirds of all electronic components and there is a huge diversity of technologies which can overwhelm young engineers. All capacitors store electrical energy in the electrical field created in a dielectric material and they are used for very diverse applications like voltage stability and filtering. How that works differs between tiny MLCCs and huge electrolytic cells, from pF ratings up to the hundreds of Farads in supercapacitors. In this presentation, we introduce different capacitor solutions taking into account the advantages and disadvantages.

Presenter: Jon Izkue Rodriguez, Wurth Elektronik

Jon Izkue Rodriguez is a hardware engineer for eiCap/eiRis - Capacitors & Resistors Division of Wurth Electronics. He has a background in Electronics Design, Measurement Technology and In-Circuit Testing. Since 2018, Jon has been part of the technical engineering team in the Capacitors and Resistors division of Wurth Elektronik responsible for Technical Application Documentation, Definition and Automation Measurement procedures and is responsible for REDEXPERT Capacitor & Resistor Modules.

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Previous Webinars
Capacitors 101 – Capacitor Basics and Technologies

To receive invitations to upcoming PSMA webinars, join our mailing list.

Abstract: This webinar will introduce you to the world of capacitors. It will explain you how capacitors work and their main characteristics to be aware of.

So, from construction to their parameters like ESR to ESL, we will take you on a ride through the Capacitor Technologies Basics.

In addition, all the following capacitor technologies will be introduced outlining the general technology behind each and what makes them specific:

• Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors (Liquid/Solid/Hybrid)
• Film Capacitors
• MLCCs - Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors
• Tantalum
• Supercaps

Presenters: Frank Puhane, Würth Elektronik and Stephan Menzel, CapXon

Frank Puhane is Head of Product Management, Capacitors & Resistors - eiCap / eiRis at Würth Elektronik. He has more than 15 years of work experience in the electronics industry. His background includes Electronics, Power Supply Development and he formerly worked as Field Application Engineer. In his current position his focus is on technical engineering, product services and application support for capacitors at Würth Elektronik.

Stephan Menzel is Director Sales - North America at CapXon. He has more than 15 years of work experience in passive components & the electronics industry. His expertise includes global sales & product marketing, industrial engineering and quality management. In his current position he oversees North America Sales and defined Global Key Accounts in NAM & EMEA.

 

 

2019-2020 Webinar Series:

Capacitor Fundamentals 101: Capacitor Basics

The Capacitor Fundamentals 101: Capacitor Basics Webinar reviews the basic physics of how capacitors function and explain key properties and terms to expand your basic capacitor knowledge. These topics are discussed within the context of film, electrolytic (Wet and Dry), and ceramic capacitor technologies. Speakers from several major capacitor companies present Capacitor Basics, the first in a series of webinars that will progressively get more detailed as we build on your capacitor knowledge.

 

Capacitor Fundamentals 201 

This second Webinar, Capacitor Fundamentals 201 starts to develop design strategies reviewing how capacitors are modeled, with ESR and ESL definitions, planning for aging considerations, and how caps determine the reliability of your circuits. Different capacitor technologies are compared and contrasted to give a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the different technologies.

 

 

Capacitor Fundamentals 301: How to Select a Capacitor for Power Supplies 

The Fundamentals 301 webinar takes the next step in understanding Capacitor Fundamentals by discussing various capacitor parameters and design strategies. This presentation will guide individuals selecting components for their Electronic Power Supplies. Capacitors come in a wide variety of technologies, and each offers specific benefits that should be considered when designing a Power Supply circuit. The presenters cover critical parameters that should be considered when selecting Capacitors, and comparing advantages and disadvantages of the various types of Capacitors available in the market.

Capacitor Fundamentals 401: Choosing a Capacitor from Start to Finish 

In this webinar, we explore the use and placement of capacitors in a widely used power supply type – a charger/supply for a laptop computer. We will look at a schematic and discuss the roles of the capacitors within the circuit. We will then focus our attention on the input and output bulk filter capacitors, and what types of capacitors could be used in those spots in the circuit. We will look at data sheets for capacitors with specific traits based on values from a design example, and compare advantages and disadvantages from a technical point of view.