Glossary of Supercapacitor Terms

Supercapacitors are also known as ultracapacitors or Electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC) are capacitors made up of 2 metal plates with a carbon dielectric material and a conductive electrolyte.

A measurement of energy storage in joules. C = QV

The voltage provided in the specification is the maximum operating voltage for a single capacitor cell or module. The rated voltage is the voltage in which the performance data is measured. It is possible for the capacitors to experience voltages in excess of the rated voltage. The impact is dependent on the time and temperature during this exposure. At no time should the capacitor be subjected to voltages in excess of 10% of the rated voltage.

The sum of all the internal resistances of a capacitor measured in ohms. Expressed mathematically as ESR = D.F.*Xc. This measurement is taken after 5 seconds. Since the time constant of the ultracapacitors is approximately 1 second, it takes approximately 5 times constants or 5 seconds to effectively remove 99.7% of the stored energy.

A measure of the high-frequency resistance component and is mainly attributed to contact resistance. Because of the time constant of the ultracapacitors, operation at this frequency is highly inefficient. This measurement is provided because it is simple to measure and correlates easily with the DC resistance.

Expected performance change for the supercapacitor if held at rated voltage and 25°C for 10 years.

Expected performance change after cycling 500K times from rated voltage to half rated voltage. Cycling performed at a duty cycle resulting in no heating of the supercapacitor with the supercapacitor maintained at 25°C.

The temperature of the environment, usually the still air surrounding the capacitor.

Measure of the stray direct current flowing through the capacitor after DC voltage is impressed on it. Stable parasitic current expected when the capacitor is held indefinitely on charge at the rated voltage. This value is voltage and temperature-dependent. Datasheet measurement is at rated voltage and 25°C.

Represents the maximum voltage that can be safely implemented by UL810a.

A measure of the energy storage capability of a capacitor at a given voltage usually expressed in farads, microfarads, nanofarads, or picofarads.

When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitors’ capacitances. This also increases ripple-current tolerance.

Capacitors connected in series for a higher total voltage rating, although this configuration will have a lower total capacitance than any single one in the circuit. This series circuit offers. The voltage drop across each capacitor is the sum of the total applied voltage.

A current-conducting solution between the electrodes of a capacitor used to replenish the dielectric in a supercapacitor.

The basic unit of a measure of a capacitor. A capacitor charged to 1 volt with a charge of 1 coulomb would have a capacitance of 1 farad. 1 microF = .000001 Farads.

The temperature range, usually stated in Celsius, in which a capacitor can operate within rated specifications.

A voltage applied to a capacitor that is above its rated operating voltage. In a dielectric withstand test, capacitors are overvoltage-tested (Hi-Pot tested) at 1.5X or 2X its rated voltage.

A capacitor in which both leads are connected to one end of the main component. Radial-leaded capacitors are typically mounted vertically to a circuit board.

Represents the safe storage temperature without affecting supercapacitor performance when no voltage is applied to the supercapacitor.

When a capacitor is operated at a lower ambient temperature than rated specifications, its load life can be extended. The amount of improvement can be calculated.

The maximum deviation from a nominal capacitance value at specific conditions expressed as a percentage of nominal capacitance.

The force or electrical pressure which causes current to flow through a conductor.

The maximum DC voltage applied to a capacitor for continuous operation at the maximum rated temperature.