Philips Components Electrolytic Capacitors Product safety WARNING Correct application and strict adherence to the important information listed below, will ensure optimum performance of the capacitors over their entire specified useful life. Please note, that ignoring these rules may reduce the equipment life time or even destroy the capacitor, together with parts of the equipment or property involved. The consequences may be a short or open circuit of the component, leakage of electrolyte or heat generation. Opening of the case or vent (danger of injury) may be regarded as hazardous and cause liquids, vapours or dust to be released. Similar precautions should be taken when testing electrolytic capacitors. Please consult your local Philips Components sales organization, if one or more of these limits cannot be adhered to. GUIDELINES PARAMETER POLARITY, REVERSE VOLTAGE VOLTAGE IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PRODUCT SAFETY Electrolytic capacitors for DC applications require polarization. Check the polarity of each capacitor: both in circuit design and in mounting (polarity is clearly indicated on the capacitor). For short periods a limited reverse voltage is allowed (see detail specification); for conditions and maximum parameter changes, see "This Handbook, Section Tests and Requirements". Exceeding reverse voltage may result in early failures. Do not apply a voltage exceeding the capacitor's voltage rating. Check the maximum voltage across the capacitor which can occur over the whole equipment life. In normal operation the rated voltage of the capacitor shall not be exceeded; if so, early failures may occur. However, for short periods the voltage may be raised up to surge voltage value (see detail specification); for conditions and maximum parameter changes, see "This Handbook, Section Tests and Requirements". RIPPLE LOAD Do not allow excessive ripple current to pass. MORE DETAILS detail specification TESTS AND REQUIREMENTS detail specification TESTS AND REQUIREMENTS detail specification The rated ripple current given for certain conditions (temperature, frequency and useful life) shall not be exceeded. If so, early failure may result. Keep ripple voltage within ratings. The sum of DC-bias and maximum amplitude of ripple voltage shall be within rated voltage and 0 V. Electrolytic capacitors are not normally designed for AC application. TEMPERATURE Use capacitors within specified temperature range. RANGE Applicable temperature range is given in the relevant detail specification. A general principle is that lower ambient temperature means longer life; therefore, wherever possible, electrolytic capacitors should be placed at the coolest positions on the board (please ensure that electrolytic capacitors are placed away from `heating' components such as power resistors, switching diodes/transistors or transformers). Exceeding the permitted temperature range may cause early failures. 1996 Dec 03 1 detail specification Philips Components Electrolytic Capacitors PARAMETER CHARGEDISCHARGE Product safety IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PRODUCT SAFETY Observe charge-discharge limitations. Frequent charge-discharge load via low resistance may cause capacitance drop or destroy the capacitor. Under well defined conditions (see "This Handbook, Section Tests and Requirements") frequent charge-discharge operation is allowed. The resulting current through the capacitor may not exceed the ripple current limit. SERIES/ PARALLEL CONNECTIONS When connecting in series/parallel, apply corresponding design rules. PC BOARD DESIGN Conducting tracks or lands should not be located under upright mounted electrolytic capacitors; short circuits under the capacitor with danger of fire could be the result. INSULATION The capacitor case is not insulated from the cathode terminal. MORE DETAILS TESTS AND REQUIREMENTS INTRODUCTION Connecting electrolytic capacitors in series/parallel is possible, provided that balancing resistors are applied to each capacitor, in order to stabilize the voltage over each individual capacitor. Rules for correct design are given in the introduction. Axial capacitors have a direct contact between case and cathode terminal; radial and power capacitors exhibit an indeterminate resistance between the cathode terminal and the metal case. Metal parts other than terminals should never make contact to conducting tracks or metal parts of other components. Dummy pins are connected to the cathode. STORAGE AND TRANSPORT Excessive storage time or conditions may have adverse effects on capacitors. INTRODUCTION Capacitors should be stored at room temperature, low humidity and out of direct sunlight. Storage at elevated temperature and/or high relative humidity may have a negative influence to taping accuracy, solderability, leakage current and life expectancy. Packages with electrolytic capacitors should be handled with care, or bent leads and/or incorrect taping dimensions could be the result. TESTS AND REQUIREMENTS HIGH AIR PRESSURE Do not expose capacitors to overpressure. LOW AIR PRESSURE The capacitors may be used at an altitude of 12000 m. MOUNTING Avoid excessive stress to the lead wires or terminals. Maximum operating pressure is 150 kPa. Higher pressure may cause a short circuit. Minimum air pressure: 8.5 kPa for short periods (in accordance with "IEC 384-4, subclause 4.11.4"). Excessive stress can be caused by component processing machines if lead wires are not sufficiently fixed during bending, cutting, cropping or inserting operations. Other possible reasons are incorrect hole distance on printed-circuit or bending of the component after soldering. Care should be taken when the manual bending of terminals or mounted capacitors is required. For maximum allowed mechanical load and time of application, see "This Handbook, Section Tests and Requirements". Mechanically damaged capacitors may not be used. Safety vent should have enough space to function correctly. 1996 Dec 03 2 TESTS AND REQUIREMENTS TESTS AND REQUIREMENTS Philips Components Electrolytic Capacitors PARAMETER SOLDERING Product safety IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PRODUCT SAFETY Keep soldering temperature and time under control. For maximum soldering conditions, see Chapter "Tests and Requirements". Additional temperature load e.g. for curing the glue of Surface Mounting Devices (SMDs) are allowed to a certain limit, which depends on series and exact details, please apply to your sales engineer for your specific conditions. Molten solder or the soldering iron should not make contact with the capacitor's insulation. Reflow soldering is only suitable for SMD components. BOARD CLEANING No guarantees can be given with regard to solvents based on halogenated hydrocarbons or ozone depleting chemicals (ODCs). Warning: such solvents are hazardous to the environment. Component cleaning using solvents such as demineralized or distilled water, isopropanol, methanol, etanol and propanol would not normally have any detrimental effects and therefore do not require any special precautions. Aqueous cleaning methods may be used in conjunction with saponification using a neutral detergent like calgonite at 20 g/l. It is recommended that immediate drying of the component in hot air is carried out at approximately 85 C (or 70 C for products with an upper category temperature of 70 C) for at least 5 minutes. For further information regarding the application of solvent temperatures exceeding the temperature mentioned in "IEC 68-2-45", consult your local Philips Components sales organization. ADHESIVES, COATING MATERIALS Some adhesives and coating materials affect capacitors adversely. For varnishing, coating, lacquering, embedding or gluing at the capacitor's sealing, ensure that the materials used are halogene-free in all their constituent parts (base material, thinners, binders, reacting agents, propellants, additives). For reasons see `BOARD CLEANING' above. When applying such materials, ensure that the rubber area is not completely sealed off. 1996 Dec 03 3 MORE DETAILS TESTS AND REQUIREMENTS Philips Components Electrolytic Capacitors PARAMETER DISPOSAL Product safety IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PRODUCT SAFETY Electrolytic capacitors are subject to special waste regulations. Aluminium electrolytic capacitors are free from PCB- or PBDE-containing substances. Dioxines or furanes are not constituent parts of electrolytic capacitors. However, because of other polluting ingredients, larger quantities (in weight) of electrolytic capacitors are subject to special waste regulations in accordance with the relevant national laws; please consult your local Philips Components sales organization. In general, electrolytic capacitors have to be disposed under controlled circumstances in a high temperature incinerator at minimum 900 C. PERSONNEL SAFETY WARNING NOTE. Non-solid electrolytic capacitors may contain chemicals which can be regarded as hazardous if handled incorrectly. Caution is necessary if the outer case is fractured; vapours or dust particles should not be inhaled (good ventilation is essential); skin, eye or clothing contact with liquids should be avoided. In case of such contact, flush thoroughly with running water as soon as possible, then wash skin or clothing with soap and water or a mild detergent. Any possible discoloration of the wetted skin will disappear after a few days. In the event of fire, the organic parts of electrolytic capacitors may release such constituents as carbon monoxide, nitric oxides or dust particles; take caution when breathing-in. 1996 Dec 03 4 MORE DETAILS