Passive Components Blog
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • NewsFilter
    • All
    • Aerospace & Defence
    • Antenna
    • Applications
    • Automotive
    • Capacitors
    • Circuit Protection Devices
    • electro-mechanical news
    • Filters
    • Fuses
    • Inductors
    • Industrial
    • Integrated Passives
    • inter-connect news
    • Market & Supply Chain
    • Market Insights
    • Medical
    • Modelling and Simulation
    • New Materials & Supply
    • New Technologies
    • Non-linear Passives
    • Oscillators
    • Passive Sensors News
    • Resistors
    • RF & Microwave
    • Telecommunication
    • Weekly Digest

    TDK Extends SMT Gate Drive Transformers to 1000 V

    Non-Linear MLCC Class II Capacitor Measurements Challenges

    Researchers Demonstrated HfO Anti-Ferroelectric Flexible Capacitors

    Connector Industry Achieves Double-Digit Growth

    Stackpole Unveils Metal Element High Current Chip Jumpers

    Common Mistakes in Flyback Transformer Specs

    Vishay Releases Miniature SMD Trimmers for Harsh Environments

    Würth Elektronik Releases Push-Button and Main Switches

    Littelfuse Unveils High-Precision TMR Angle Magnetic Sensors

    Trending Tags

    • Ripple Current
    • RF
    • Leakage Current
    • Tantalum vs Ceramic
    • Snubber
    • Low ESR
    • Feedthrough
    • Derating
    • Dielectric Constant
    • New Products
    • Market Reports
  • VideoFilter
    • All
    • Antenna videos
    • Capacitor videos
    • Circuit Protection Video
    • Filter videos
    • Fuse videos
    • Inductor videos
    • Inter-Connect Video
    • Non-linear passives videos
    • Oscillator videos
    • Passive sensors videos
    • Resistor videos

    Non-Linear MLCC Class II Capacitor Measurements Challenges

    Percolation Phenomenon and Reliability of Molded Power Inductors in DC/DC converters

    Root Causes and Effects of DC Bias and AC in Ceramic Capacitors

    How to Calculate the Output Capacitor for a Switching Power Supply

    Switched Capacitor Converter Explained

    Understanding Inductor Dot Markings and Their Application in LTspice

    Accelerating Full Bridge LLC Resonant Converter Design with Frenetic AI

    Understanding Switched Capacitor Converters

    Coupled Inductors Circuit Model and Examples of its Applications

    Trending Tags

    • Capacitors explained
    • Inductors explained
    • Resistors explained
    • Filters explained
    • Application Video Guidelines
    • EMC
    • New Products
    • Ripple Current
    • Simulation
    • Tantalum vs Ceramic
  • Knowledge Blog
  • Suppliers
    • Who is Who
  • Events
  • Home
  • NewsFilter
    • All
    • Aerospace & Defence
    • Antenna
    • Applications
    • Automotive
    • Capacitors
    • Circuit Protection Devices
    • electro-mechanical news
    • Filters
    • Fuses
    • Inductors
    • Industrial
    • Integrated Passives
    • inter-connect news
    • Market & Supply Chain
    • Market Insights
    • Medical
    • Modelling and Simulation
    • New Materials & Supply
    • New Technologies
    • Non-linear Passives
    • Oscillators
    • Passive Sensors News
    • Resistors
    • RF & Microwave
    • Telecommunication
    • Weekly Digest

    TDK Extends SMT Gate Drive Transformers to 1000 V

    Non-Linear MLCC Class II Capacitor Measurements Challenges

    Researchers Demonstrated HfO Anti-Ferroelectric Flexible Capacitors

    Connector Industry Achieves Double-Digit Growth

    Stackpole Unveils Metal Element High Current Chip Jumpers

    Common Mistakes in Flyback Transformer Specs

    Vishay Releases Miniature SMD Trimmers for Harsh Environments

    Würth Elektronik Releases Push-Button and Main Switches

    Littelfuse Unveils High-Precision TMR Angle Magnetic Sensors

    Trending Tags

    • Ripple Current
    • RF
    • Leakage Current
    • Tantalum vs Ceramic
    • Snubber
    • Low ESR
    • Feedthrough
    • Derating
    • Dielectric Constant
    • New Products
    • Market Reports
  • VideoFilter
    • All
    • Antenna videos
    • Capacitor videos
    • Circuit Protection Video
    • Filter videos
    • Fuse videos
    • Inductor videos
    • Inter-Connect Video
    • Non-linear passives videos
    • Oscillator videos
    • Passive sensors videos
    • Resistor videos

    Non-Linear MLCC Class II Capacitor Measurements Challenges

    Percolation Phenomenon and Reliability of Molded Power Inductors in DC/DC converters

    Root Causes and Effects of DC Bias and AC in Ceramic Capacitors

    How to Calculate the Output Capacitor for a Switching Power Supply

    Switched Capacitor Converter Explained

    Understanding Inductor Dot Markings and Their Application in LTspice

    Accelerating Full Bridge LLC Resonant Converter Design with Frenetic AI

    Understanding Switched Capacitor Converters

    Coupled Inductors Circuit Model and Examples of its Applications

    Trending Tags

    • Capacitors explained
    • Inductors explained
    • Resistors explained
    • Filters explained
    • Application Video Guidelines
    • EMC
    • New Products
    • Ripple Current
    • Simulation
    • Tantalum vs Ceramic
  • Knowledge Blog
  • Suppliers
    • Who is Who
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Passive Components Blog
No Result
View All Result

The Anatomy of a Water Cooled Capacitor

28.6.2022
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A

Ceramic and film capacitors are widely used in power electronic systems because they can handle high operating currents. Heat is generated in these components mainly through dielectric losses. Heat is also generated at the points of connection between the leads and the dielectric material. This heat is usually referred to as connection losses. Due to the high levels of currents that these components are exposed to, considerable amount of heat is generated. Cooling such a capacitor helps to enhance its performance as well as its reliability.

Methods for cooling capacitors

Capacitors for use in high-power and high-frequency applications are cooled using various methods. The most common cooling methods include self-cooling, forced ventilation, and liquid cooling. These methods are all aimed at ensuring that the temperature of a capacitor is maintained within the acceptable limits.

RelatedPosts

TDK Extends SMT Gate Drive Transformers to 1000 V

Non-Linear MLCC Class II Capacitor Measurements Challenges

Researchers Demonstrated HfO Anti-Ferroelectric Flexible Capacitors

In self-cooling method, cooling is achieved through natural air circulation. This method requires that the ambient air temperature is maintained below a specific value, typically 40°C. Self-cooling is mostly used for cooling capacitor banks and is unsuitable for applications where the component can generate extreme amounts of heat.

The forced ventilation cooling method is more effective as compared to self-cooling. In this method, cooling air is forcefully directed onto a capacitor using a suitable device. Most forced-air cooling systems utilize ventilators. The temperature of the outflowing air should not exceed the value specified by the manufacturer, typically 40°C.

The effectiveness of a forced-air cooling system depends on the design of the capacitor. Some forced-air cooled capacitors have fins that help to increase the surface area for heat dissipation. Most of today’s forced-air cooled capacitors have center air channels for improved cooling efficiency.

Design and characteristics of water cooled capacitors

In high-current and high-frequency applications, water cooled film/foil, metallized film, and ceramic capacitors are used for a wide range of applications including filtering and tank circuit applications. The design of these capacitors makes them suitable for high-power, high-current, and high-frequency applications such as broadcast transmitter, induction heating, melting, and high-frequency welding systems.

Using banks of small capacitors helps to distribute the heat generated by capacitors. Banks of small capacitors are commonly used in power electronic circuits. Although this approach helps in thermal management, it is not a suitable option for applications with limited space. Capacitors with integrated water cooling systems are suitable for such applications. Using water cooled capacitors also helps to reduce the cost and the number of components used.

Film and ceramic capacitors with integrated liquid cooling systems are increasingly becoming popular for high-current applications. The liquids that are commonly used in such systems are water, mixture of water and chemical solutions, and de-ionized water. Liquid cooled capacitors are a suitable choice for power electronic circuits with high energy densities. This cooling method is suitable for applications where the ambient temperature does not exceed the value specified by the manufacturer.

Some liquid cooling systems are designed to cool the components at the surface while others can cool them inside the casing. Most traditional cooling systems are designed to cool a capacitor by passing the cooling medium over the external casing of a component. In most modern water cooled capacitors, the cooling medium passes through the interior of the component. These modern water-cooled capacitors are more efficient compared to their predecessors.

There are various ways of achieving cooling in water cooled capacitors. The most commonly used designs are transverse cooling and foil cooling. In transverse cooling, the cooling system is insulated from the elements of the capacitor. The coils are inserted between the elements of a component. These cooling coils are then connected to the tubes of the cooling system through which water flows.

In foil cooling systems, one plate of a capacitor is connected to the cooling tube system. This plate is used both for heat dissipation and current conduction. Since the water channel and the casing are live, extra caution is required when handling these components. To make these capacitors safer for use, the water channel and the casing are insulated from earth. In addition, insulated tubes are used to feed the system with water. The length of these tubes is determined by the specific resistance of the cooling water and the operating voltage.

The temperature of the water at the outlet of a cooling system is determined by the temperature at the inlet as well as the flow rate. This temperature should not exceed the value specified by the manufacturer. In addition, the flow rate and the pressure of the water should be within the range specified by the manufacturer.

In applications where many water cooled capacitors are used, the cooling circuit can be connected either in parallel or in series. The parallel connection has a low pressure drop and produces a high cooling effect. In serially connected cooling systems, there is a significant drop in water pressure and a high initial pressure is required. The temperature, pressure, and water quality requirements are specified by the manufacturer.

The effectiveness of water cooling is dependent on the properties of the water used. The water for use in water cooled capacitors should be chemically neutral, mechanically pure, and its electrical conductivity should not exceed the value specified by the manufacturer, typically 500µS/cm.

The performance characteristics of water cooled capacitors are significantly dependent on the stability of the cooling water supply system. A stoppage in the supply of the cooling water can cause a component to fail. Use of control and alarm systems helps to ensure that failures in the water supply system do not go unnoticed. Thermostats are used to ensure that capacitors are protected against over-heating in case of a failure in the water supply system. In addition, suitable protection devices are required to protect capacitors against overvoltages and overcurrents.

Water cooled capacitors are cheaper and occupy less space as compared to using banks of small capacitors. They are also more effective as compared to forced-air cooled capacitors. These capacitors are a suitable choice for applications where forced-air cooling systems cannot be used.

Water cooled capacitors are suitable for use in a broad spectrum of high power RF applications including welding, induction heating, and dielectric heating systems.

featured image – water cooled film capacitors, credit: AVX

Related

Recent Posts

TDK Extends SMT Gate Drive Transformers to 1000 V

20.8.2025
8

Non-Linear MLCC Class II Capacitor Measurements Challenges

19.8.2025
15

Researchers Demonstrated HfO Anti-Ferroelectric Flexible Capacitors

19.8.2025
8

Stackpole Unveils Metal Element High Current Chip Jumpers

19.8.2025
6

Common Mistakes in Flyback Transformer Specs

15.8.2025
21

Vishay Releases Miniature SMD Trimmers for Harsh Environments

14.8.2025
12

Littelfuse Unveils High-Precision TMR Angle Magnetic Sensors

13.8.2025
9

Stackpole Extends Voltage of High Temp Chip Resistors

13.8.2025
11

High Voltage MLCCs Meeting the Growing Demand for Efficiency in Power Conversion

12.8.2025
115

Bourns Releases High Power High Ripple Chokes

8.8.2025
33

Upcoming Events

Aug 27
17:00 - 18:00 CEST

Capacitor Assemblies for High-Power Circuit Designs

Sep 3
15:30 - 17:30 CEST

How to Choose Your Magnetic Supplier

Sep 16
17:00 - 18:00 CEST

EMI Shielding Challenges

Sep 22
September 22 @ 13:00 - September 25 @ 15:15 EDT

Pre Cap Visual Inspection per Mil-Std-883 (TM 2017)

Sep 30
September 30 @ 12:00 - October 2 @ 14:00 EDT

MIL-Std-883 TM 2010

View Calendar

Popular Posts

  • Buck Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boost Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Flyback Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • LLC Resonant Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What is a Dielectric Constant and DF of Plastic Materials?

    4 shares
    Share 4 Tweet 0
  • Ripple Current and its Effects on the Performance of Capacitors

    3 shares
    Share 3 Tweet 0
  • Dual Active Bridge (DAB) Topology Explained

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • How to Design an Inductor

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • MLCC Case Sizes Standards Explained

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Core Materials, Permeability and Their Losses

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter Subscription

 

Passive Components Blog

© EPCI - Leading Passive Components Educational and Information Site

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • EPCI Membership & Advertisement
  • About

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Knowledge Blog
  • Premium Suppliers

© EPCI - Leading Passive Components Educational and Information Site

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version