Film capacitors are widely used in power electronics applications including but not limited to DC Link, DC output fltering, and as IGBT snubbers.
Vishay's film capacitors assist energy conversion while providing low losses, high efficiency, and long life. Discover the full range of products with our product overviews: DC-Link | RFI | AC To select multiple values, Ctrl-click or click-drag over the items
Although the materials and construction techniques used for large power film capacitors are very similar to those used for ordinary film capacitors, capacitors with high to very high power ratings for applications in power systems and electrical installations are often classified separately, for historical reasons.
Especially for applications with high current pulse loads or high AC loads in electrical systems, heavy-duty film capacitors, here called "power capacitors", are available with dielectric ratings of several kilovolts. But the manufacture of film capacitors does have a critical dependency on the materials supply chain.
Other notable applications are safety capacitors, electromagnetic interference suppression, fluorescent light ballasts and snubber capacitors. Cornell Dubilier 947C series high capacitance Film Capacitors use the most advanced metallised film technology for long life, high reliability in DC link applications.
The film/foil variants of plastic film capacitors are especially capable of handling high and very high current surges. Typical capacitance values of smaller film capacitors used in electronics start around 100 picofarads and extend upwards to microfarads.