X2 and Y2 safety capacitors are used primarily in appliances that plug into ordinary household wall outlets, while type X1 and Y1 interference suppression capacitors are consumed in heavy-duty industrial circuits and in battery electric vehicle charger systems – an end-market that is expected to grow substantially over the next five years.
Major market segments for safety capacitors continue to be in power supplies, lighting ballasts, AC power adapter, automotive DC motor applications, smoke detectors and other line voltage equipment.
Safety capacitors are also further dichotomized into “X” and “Y” interference suppression capacitor categories: The general rules of application for safety capacitors are a count of three safety capacitors (one X and two Y) consumed in power supplies, and two Y-type capacitors consumed in lighting ballasts.
Major markets for safety capacitor consumption exist in Asia, with the largest markets being China, Korea and Japan which require between 400 million and 1 billion pieces (China) in each country. In Europe, the two largest markets remain Germany and Italy (100 to 200 million pieces). The USA/Mexico region requires a collective 100 million pieces.
The general rules of application for safety capacitors are a count of three safety capacitors (one X and two Y) consumed in power supplies, and two Y-type capacitors consumed in lighting ballasts. These applications support a multi-billion piece global market for safety capacitors each year.
A “safety capacitor” designation requires certification to ensure the capacitor’s performance under excessive operating conditions, usually related to high-voltage circuits. Many countries require that safety capacitors be certified to nation-specific requirements in order for those parts to be sold within their borders.