Underlying Issues: This overheating can be due to internal failure within the capacitor or external factors such as a malfunctioning component in the circuit. It’s a sign that the capacitor has been operating under stress and may have already failed or is close to failing.
The article noted that aging generally causes higher leakage current because the oxide layer used in a capacitor dissolves over time. Surge voltages can also increase the internal temperature within a capacitor that can further lead to overheating. 4.
Voltage Rating: If a capacitor cannot handle the voltage applied to it, it may fail prematurely. This is often due to selecting a capacitor with a voltage rating too close to the operating voltage. Current Capacity: Similarly, capacitors have a maximum current capacity. Exceeding this capacity can lead to overheating and failure.
Yes, capacitors can be damaged by excessive heat. High temperatures can lead to the degradation of the dielectric material, increased leakage currents, changes in capacitance, internal component damage, and reduced overall performance and lifespan.
This is especially true when film capacitors are used in alternating current circuits in which overheating can cause combustion failure. • Solid Tantalum Capacitors: Overheating due to current surges can result in material disintegration and dormant damage to the dielectric over time in solid tantalum capacitors.
It is worth mentioning that the damage due to overheating tends to be more pronounced in multi-layer ceramic chip capacitors or MCCs. This is due to thermal coefficient of expansion of different ceramic materials within an MCC.