Knowles Precision Devices recently introduced a new range of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for power electronics applications. Hiteca™ MLCCs offer customers high capacitance stability over temperature and voltage, and lower parasitic losses under common operating conditions. 

Hiteca™ MLCCs are designed to optimize the performance of power electronics used in demanding environments, such as electric vehicles or industrial applications. With lower self-heating properties and low loss operation, they can handle higher ripple currents than conventional ceramic capacitors.

“For power electronics, especially those used in high temperature environments, customers can’t afford to protect capacitors with cooling systems that can add weight and increase their product’s overall footprint,” said Steve Hopwood, senior applications engineer, Knowles Precision Devices. “Hiteca™ MLCCs are designed to operate reliably and efficiently in a wide range of operating conditions and demanding applications, enabling us to better accommodate the needs of our customers. They deliver low loss, while offering high, stable capacitance up to maximum voltage and temperature.”

Hiteca™ MLCCs have a high capacitance range of 100 pF to 680 nF and voltage ratings up to 2 kV with zero capacitance aging. Through the company’s unique, patented dielectric system, the capacitors are able to achieve typical capacitance reduction of less than 45 percent at full rated voltage. Hiteca™ MLCCs are particularly suitable for use in applications such as DC bus smoothing, while a non-piezo construction makes them ideal for snubber capacitors. 

Leveraging 50-plus years of industry knowledge and expertise, Knowles Precision Devices has a proven heritage of designing high-reliability capacitors for demanding applications.