What is polypropylene film capacitors?

Polypropylene film capacitors are a standard capacitor utilized in electrical equipment. They are made of two bits of slim plastic film, accused of anodes as the dielectric. They can supplant electrolytic capacitors in applications where the voltage is above 500V.

Polypropylene gives low misfortunes, low dielectric assimilation, and high dielectric quality. Likewise, polypropylene film capacitors offer high protection obstruction and a negative temperature coefficient. Average applications incorporate stable oscillators and channels, test and hold circuits, and heartbeat handle circuits.

Types of polypropylene film capacitors

There are two fundamental configurations of polypropylene film capacitors. They're recognized by the kind of dielectric (protecting) material utilized. Right off the bat, film foil has two metal foil anodes isolated with two plastic movies. While metallised film has two slim layers of metallisation, with plastic film as the dielectric. To get the ideal electrical attributes you need, for example, solidness or capacity to withstand high voltage, you can pick distinctive film materials for the dielectric layer.

Polypropylene Capacitor Construction

In the previous, metal foil of around 5-micron thickness is sandwiched between dielectric layers and gives high pinnacle flow capacity yet no self-mending. In the metallized film development, aluminum or now and again zinc or zinc composite at about 1200°C is saved onto the polypropylene film under vacuum, to around 20 to 50nm thickness.

The film is held to a low temperature during the deposition, typically -25°C to -35°C. In this process, self-healing is enabled. Being used, confined breakdown causes extreme warming, maybe up to 6000°C, which causes a plasma circular segment to frame. This vaporizes the metallization locally and the rapid expansion of the plasma quenches the arc, isolating the defective area within around 10µs and allowing the capacitor to continue to function. Some capacity is lost but the effect is minimal, and it can be used as a measure of the aging of the component if monitored over time.

The metallization is once in a while sectioned into zones on the film, maybe millions, with limited 'entryways' taking care of current into the portions and going about as wires for net over-burdens. The pinnacle current taking care of is diminished a little by the narrowing of the all out current way, yet the additional wellbeing edge acquainted therefore permits the capacitor with be appraised at a higher voltage.

In certain structures, foil and metallization development is consolidated to give bargain execution between top current dealing with and self-mending. The metallization can likewise be reviewed from the edge of the capacitor with the goal that thicker material at the edges gives better current taking care of and progressively vigorous end by fastening or welding. The evaluating can be ventured or persistent.

What are polypropylene film capacitors used for?

In view of their high resilience and voltage opposition, polypropylene film capacitors are utilized in a wide scope of electric applications. These incorporate exchanging power supplies, high voltage circuit applications, lighting weight frameworks and circuits with high pinnacle current levels.

Advantages of polypropylene Film Capacitor are: 

High current per capacitance (A/μF);

High voltage per element;

High capability to withstand over voltages up to 2 times the rated voltage;

More than 10 years estimated lifetime in the temperature range -25/+70 °C;

Easy connections and low equivalent inductance;

Non polar dielectric;

No leakage of dangerous or poisonous electrolytes.