Dielectric loss characteristics of capacitors

What factors affect dielectric losses in ceramic capacitors?

The dielectric losses in ceramic capacitors mainly depend on microstructural factors, dielectric formulation, and concentration of impurities. Porosity, morphology, and grain size are the main microstructural factors that determine the equivalent series resistance. The loss factor varies from one dielectric material to another.

What are dielectric losses in film capacitors?

In film capacitors, dielectric losses are the main contributor to the overall equivalent series resistance. Dielectric conduction losses refer to losses that are caused by the actual movement of charge across a dielectric material. These losses tend to be largest at high temperatures and low frequencies.

What is the dielectric constant of a capacitor?

Capacitors within this class have a dielectric constant range from 10 to 100. They are used in applications which require ultra stable dielectric characteristics with negligible dependence of capacitance and dissipation factor with time, voltage and frequency. They exhibit the following characteristics:-

What are dielectric losses?

Dielectric losses are associated with how dielectric materials polarize or relax in response to voltage. The magnitude of these losses depends on both temperature and frequency. The dissipation factor (DF) is commonly used to describe the dielectric losses of a material.

What is the dissipation factor of a capacitor?

The dissipation factor (DF) is commonly used to describe the dielectric losses of a material. The dissipation factor and equivalent series resistance of a capacitor are dependent on the electrodes as well as their configurations. In film capacitors, dielectric losses are the main contributor to the overall equivalent series resistance.

What causes electromechanical losses in a capacitor?

In most capacitors, electromechanical losses occur mainly within the dielectric material and the internal wiring. In the dielectric material, electromechanical losses are primarily caused by electrostriction. In some cases, it may be caused by piezoelectric effect. In internal wiring, Lorentz forces can cause flexing.