Explanation of the cause of capacitor failure: One of the capacitors connected in parallel has failed.
Revised the installation layout of the capacitor and changed the cooling method to reduce the effects of radiant heat!
We were using five aluminum electrolytic capacitors of the same rating and lot in parallel to eliminate ripple current, but I would like to introduce a case where one of these capacitors failed and the pressure relief valve was activated. Due to the constraints of the component layout on the circuit board, the failed capacitor was installed at a position away from the other capacitors. In that position, there were heat-generating components adjacent to it, and due to the radiant heat from these components, this capacitor was exposed to higher temperatures than the others. As a result, it experienced wear failure in a relatively short period, which caused the pressure relief valve to activate. [Countermeasures] - Review the mounting arrangement of the capacitors - Change the cooling method to mitigate the effects of radiant heat - It is recommended to use long-life capacitors that can handle high ripple currents *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.
basic information
【Please be aware (partially)】 ■ Capacitors will generate heat due to ripple current. ■ The greater the temperature rise of the capacitor due to heat, the shorter the capacitor's lifespan will be. ■ When using multiple capacitors, please consider the ESR of each capacitor, the temperature distribution within the set, radiated heat, and wiring resistance. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.
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A Must-Read Guide for Circuit Designers: 15 Cases of Causes and Countermeasures for Capacitor Failures
Applications/Examples of results
If you see the following symptoms in a capacitor, it is faulty: ■ The case is swollen (bulging) ■ There are cracks in the case ■ There is a gap between the case and the sealing part ■ The pressure valve has activated (the pressure valve has opened) ■ The case has burst ■ It is hot or generating heat ■ Smoke is coming out ■ There is liquid leakage ■ There are unusual sounds ■ There is an unusual smell *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.
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AIC tech handles Aluminum electrolytic capacitors and Film capacitors for industrial market. Our capacitors have a history of more than 70 years and have their origins in technological development in Japan. AIC tech delivers high-value, precision capacitors tailored for power electronics—from renewable energy and industrial systems to transportation, ICT/IoT, healthcare, and infrastructure. Please feel free to contact us if you have any requests.