RFMW Expert Product Pick: Knowles Large Capacitor Assemblies

What made you select the Knowles Large Capacitor Assemblies as a featured product?

I am excited to feature Knowles Large Capacitor Assemblies, an excellent solution for engineers designing high-reliability systems who need high capacitance and voltage in compact, vibration-resistant, and thermally stable formats. Designing high-reliability systems for aerospace, military, or next-gen automotive platforms often means balancing conflicting requirements—such as achieving high capacitance and high voltage handling within increasingly compact form factors, all while meeting rigorous environmental and mechanical stress standards. Standard MLCCs frequently fall short when it comes to delivering high voltage and capacitance while maintaining stability in demanding conditions. Engineers are also challenged by board space limitations, especially in power-dense systems where parasitics and thermal management become critical factors.

Knowles addresses these challenges with customizable Large Capacitor Assemblies that extend vertically from the PCB to maximize capacitance and voltage ratings without increasing board footprint. Built on proven MLCC technology, these assemblies offer capacitance values from 10 nF to 3.9 µF and voltage ratings from 500 Vdc to 5,000 Vdc, all within a mechanically robust design. The use of ultra-stable C0G dielectrics ensures low loss and high reliability, even in high-ripple or resonant circuit applications. Low-inductance construction, high ripple current capability, and mechanically decoupled ceramic elements make them ideal for environments with severe vibration or thermal cycling. Tested to AEC-Q200 standards, these assemblies offer a space-efficient, rugged solution for mission-critical applications.

What are the key features/specifications of the Large Capacitor Assemblies?

These high capacitance, high voltage, components are highly customizable for your design.

• Voltage: up to 5000 VDC
• Capacitance: up to 3.9 μF
• Temperature and vibration tolerant
• High ripple current
• Maximizes board space by utilizing vertical space above board

What are common markets/applications?

• Automotive and EV
• Military
• Aerospace