menu icon
Knowles CDE Logo

Capacitors for EV Charging

In response to the rapidly growing demand for higher-performance DC link capacitors for EV chargers, Cornell Dubilier (CDE) has expanded its standard-product offerings and brought to light its advanced custom capacitor capabilities.

While the inverter circuitry at the heart of EV charging stations may seem familiar to design engineers, there are operational, environmental, and mechanical demands that make Level 3 EV charging stations unique. The latest designs are pushing voltages and current handling to higher levels to shorten recharge times.

Components available include screw terminal and snap-in aluminum electrolytics as well as polypropylene film capacitors; air or water-cooled types, with oil-impregnated or dry-epoxy construction. Constructions include multiple terminal options in metal or plastic cases. CDE’s process begins with the customer providing the required specifications, including life and other application requirements. These specifications help determine if a standard or custom solution is recommended. To validate the recommendation, CDE utilizes advanced in-house thermal modeling and product testing capabilities. CDE has dedicated engineering resources to design custom DC link capacitors that meet the exact power requirements and unique mechanical packaging to fit complex applications. On the manufacturing side, the company has multiple North American manufacturing facilities.

CDE’s custom-engineered DC Link capacitors are designed specifically for Level 3 EV charging applications. The high-power demands of Level 3 charging require robust DC link capacitors, having exceptional life and reliability over a broad range of operating conditions. CDE offers high capacitance values with low inductance (< 5 nH), high ripple current (100s of Amps), self-healing, and low loss dielectrics. Voltage Range: 450 Vdc to 3800 Vdc. -40 °C to +135 °C Operating Temperature, with life expectancies of 200,000 hours typical.

  • Optimized for high-efficiency power inverter/converter EV charging systems
  • Module design is custom engineered to meet the mechanical & electrical requirements of the application
  • High capacitance values available
  • Low inductance: < 5 nH
  • High ripple current: 100’s of Amperes
  • Self-healing and low loss dielectric system
  • Metal cases or insulated plastic cases available
  • Advanced capacitor performance modeling based on customer’s application conditions
  • CDE designs/technology results in high energy and high current density
Charging station lg

Applications Include:

Level 3 battery chargers, Power inverters for Solar, Wind Power, and Motor Drives where an individual capacitor module is custom engineered as an alternative to banks of standard DC link capacitors


Find a Rep Find a Distributor

New Products

  • Type QAS, Arc Suppressor/Snubber Network
    Released Aug, 2024

    Type QAS, Arc Suppressor/Snubber Network

    Type QAS will extend the operating life of electronic and electro-mechanical devices by reducing and/or eliminating the electrical arcing, noise, and EMF. These electrical conditions often cause early failures in relays, switch contacts, and solid-state components such as SCRs and TRIACs.

    Read More »

  • 3 CELL DSF & DGH
    Released Mar, 2024

    3 CELL DSF & DGH

    Three-cell devices offer greater energy potential and power output than single or dual-cell parts in standard PCB layouts

    3-cell DSF & DGH capacitors provide very fast power discharge that cannot be matched by conventional capacitors or batteries. That large capacity makes it possible to support brief power interruptions, supplement batteries, or even be used in place of batteries in many applications.

    Read More »

  • TYPE MXT, X2, EMI/RFI Suppression Capacitors, Harsh Environment
    Released Nov, 2023

    TYPE MXT, X2, EMI/RFI Suppression Capacitors, Harsh Environment

    Type MXT Series Metallized Polypropylene Film Capacitor, designed to suppress conducted electromagnetic/radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) at a circuit’s power input. These capacitors are perfect for use in harsh environments having met the demanding 85/85 THB (Temperature, Humidity, Bias) test requirements. Class X2 capacitors, like the MXT, are typically connected across the AC input to prevent interference from spreading through power lines or other devices on the same circuit.

    Read More »