Cabinet electrolytic capacitor

What is an electrolytic capacitor?

An electrolytic capacitor is a polarized capacitor whose anode or positive plate is made of a metal that forms an insulating oxide layer through anodization. This oxide layer acts as the dielectric of the capacitor. A solid, liquid, or gel electrolyte covers the surface of this oxide layer, serving as the cathode or negative plate of the capacitor.

Do electrolytic capacitors have a high volumetric capacitance?

The dielectric thickness of electrolytic capacitors is very small, in the range of nanometers per volt. On the other hand, the voltage strengths of these oxide layers are quite high. With this very thin dielectric oxide layer combined with a sufficiently high dielectric strength the electrolytic capacitors can achieve a high volumetric capacitance.

What are electrolytic capacitors made of?

Electrolytic Capacitors are available in a variety of materials for specific application purposes. Anode: A conductive plate, often made of aluminum foil serves as the positive terminal of the capacitor. Cathode: Another conductive plate connected to the negative terminal with a special electrolyte paste or solution.

How do electrolytic capacitors work?

Electrolytic capacitors use a chemical feature of some special metals, previously called "valve metals", which on contact with a particular electrolyte form a very thin insulating oxide layer on their surface by anodic oxidation which can function as a dielectric. There are three different anode metals in use for electrolytic capacitors:

Which electrolytic capacitor has a lifetime specification?

However, solid polymer electrolytic capacitors, and aluminium, tantalum, and niobium electrolytic capacitors also have a lifetime specification. The polymer electrolyte exhibits a small deterioration of conductivity caused by thermal degradation of the conductive polymer.

Why are electrolytic capacitors used in power supply circuits?

Electrolytic capacitors are used extensively in power supply circuits to reduce voltage fluctuations in various filtering devices. Charlese Pollak, a German rechargeable battery manufacturer, invented electrolytic capacitors in 1887 when he realized the importance of the electrolyte to provide neutral or basic stability of an oxide layer.