SCHURTER has introduced a new series of 5.5V coin cell supercapacitors designed as compact energy storage elements for low‑voltage electronics.
These SCHURTER supercapacitor devices target engineers who need fast charge/discharge capability and long cycle life for backup, ride‑through, and peak‑power support in space‑constrained designs.
Key features and benefits
Coin cell supercapacitors bridge the gap between conventional capacitors and rechargeable batteries in terms of energy and power handling.
Key characteristics of SCHURTER’s new coin cell supercapacitors include:
- Form factor options:
- SCCA series for horizontal mounting
- SCCC series for vertical mounting
- Operating in systems up to 5.5 V according to the manufacturer datasheet.
- Capacitance range from 100 mF up to 1,500 mF according to the manufacturer datasheet.
- Coin‑cell style package for compact board‑level integration.
From a circuit design perspective, these parts behave like high‑value capacitors with:
- High power density, enabling very rapid charge and discharge.
- Long cycle life, tolerating many more charge/discharge cycles than typical rechargeable batteries.
- Fast response to load transients, making them suitable to support short, high current peaks and to buffer brief supply interruptions.
In practical terms, the lower energy density versus batteries means they will not replace a primary energy source for long‑duration supply, but they can excel wherever quick bursts of energy or reliable short‑term backup are needed.
Typical applications
SCHURTER positions the coin cell supercapacitors as a solution for a broad range of low‑voltage electronics that require short‑term energy storage.
Typical use cases include:
- Real‑time clock (RTC) backup in microcontroller‑based systems.
- Memory backup to retain volatile data during brief power outages.
- Battery swap ride‑through, keeping logic and configuration alive while the main battery is replaced.
- LED or audible alarm drivers that must operate briefly without the main supply.
- Backup power supplies in small electronic devices, including portable or handheld equipment.
- Support in renewable energy systems and medical devices where short‑term buffering and high cycle life are important.
For many of these applications, the coin cell supercapacitor can either replace a small rechargeable backup battery or be used alongside it to improve peak power capability and extend battery lifetime.
Technical highlights
The core technical parameters defined by SCHURTER for these coin cell supercapacitors are:
- System voltage: up to 5.5 V (refer to series‑specific datasheet for exact ratings).
- Capacitance: from 100 mF to 1,500 mF depending on variant.
- Mounting style:
- SCCA: horizontal mount coin cell supercapacitor.
- SCCC: vertical mount coin cell supercapacitor.
From a system point of view:
- The relatively high capacitance in a coin‑cell footprint allows sufficient stored charge for seconds‑level backup or ride‑through at low currents.
- The high power density supports pulses of current where a conventional small electrolytic or ceramic might not provide enough energy without significant voltage droop.
- The supercapacitor technology supports a large number of charge/discharge cycles, which is beneficial in designs that frequently switch between active, sleep, and backup modes.
Engineers should refer to the SCCA and SCCC datasheets for detailed electrical characteristics, leakage, ESR, temperature behavior, and lifetime data when finalizing their design.
Design‑in notes for engineers
When designing in coin cell supercapacitors such as SCHURTER’s SCCA and SCCC series, engineers should consider:
- Energy budget:
- Calculate the energy requirement of the load during backup or ride‑through using the expected current, time, and minimum acceptable voltage.
- Select the capacitance and operating voltage so that the stored energy covers this budget with margin.
- Voltage rating and derating:
- Keep the working voltage below the maximum 5.5 V rating, with appropriate derating to enhance reliability and lifetime according to the datasheet guidance.
- ESR and pulse current:
- Check ESR values to ensure that voltage droop at peak current remains within acceptable limits for the load.
- Mounting orientation and footprint:
- Choose SCCA (horizontal) or SCCC (vertical) depending on board height constraints and mechanical design.
- Verify footprint, keep‑out area, and any mechanical support needed under shock or vibration.
- Charging and protection:
- Implement controlled charging, current limiting, and any required protection circuitry recommended by the manufacturer to avoid overstress.
- System‑level reliability:
- Consider the impact of temperature, cycling frequency, and storage conditions on long‑term performance, and confirm lifetime figures in the datasheet.
For purchasing and component engineering teams, the presence of both horizontal and vertical versions in the same technology family can simplify AVL management while allowing mechanical flexibility across multiple designs.
Source
This article is based on information provided in SCHURTER’s official press release on the introduction of their SCCA and SCCC coin cell supercapacitors, complemented with general engineering context for design‑in and application use.