In ceramic capacitors, derating can be achieved by controlling the derating parameters, namely voltage and temperature. Derating is found to be the most effective way to prevent failure as well as parameter drift in ceramic capacitors. It can be done by limiting the applied voltage to around 50% below the rated voltage.
The derating technique, where the capacitor is utilized for its decreased rated capability, helps protect ceramic capacitors from such risks. Ceramic capacitor derating voltage should be at least 50% of the expected voltage to ensure risk-free operation. In this article, we will look at ceramic capacitor derating and its voltage requirements.
Derating means reducing the amount of load accelerating factors so that capacitor operation becomes less susceptible to failures. Voltage and temperature are the load accelerating factors in capacitors. The cumulative effects of voltage and temperature are critical to capacitor loading.
Recommendation for voltage derating means that the actual capacitor shall be used in the application at a lower voltage than the rated voltage. Derating is expressed usually by a percentage of rated voltage that shall be subtracted.
Derating is expressed usually by percentage of rated voltage that shall be subtracted. For example 20% derating means that the capacitor shall be used at 80% of rated voltage at the specific applications (10V capacitor to be used on 8V maximum). The purpose of the derating is to reduce amount of load accelerating factors to the capacitors.
It can be done by limiting the applied voltage to around 50% below the rated voltage. This type of derating is called voltage derating. The other derating method is to limit the temperature to 15℃ below the maximum rated operating temperature; this method is called temperature derating.