Frequently Asked Questions

What types of supercapacitors does Aowei manufacture?

Aowei manufactures four main categories of supercapacitors. Cylindrical supercapacitors are their standard EDLC cells ranging from 1F to 3000F, featuring radial and axial lead configurations for through-hole mounting. Prismatic supercapacitors offer compact rectangular form factors ideal for space-constrained applications. Module systems integrate multiple cells with active balancing circuits and thermal management for high-voltage applications. Hybrid capacitors combine lithium-ion technology with EDLC construction, delivering higher energy density while maintaining high power density characteristics. Each product line is optimized for specific applications from consumer electronics to industrial energy storage systems.

Browse our product categories below to find detailed specifications. Contact our FAE team with your application requirements for personalized product recommendations.

Aowei supercapacitor types EDLC products supercapacitor categories
How do I choose between cylindrical and prismatic supercapacitors?

The choice between cylindrical and prismatic supercapacitors depends on your application's mechanical and electrical requirements. Cylindrical cells typically offer higher capacitance values per unit volume and are well-suited for applications requiring individual cell replacement or standard through-hole mounting. They excel in automotive, industrial, and energy storage applications where robust construction and proven reliability are critical. Prismatic cells provide better volumetric efficiency for PCB mounting and are ideal for portable electronics, IoT devices, and applications with height constraints. Prismatic designs also enable more efficient thermal management in compact enclosures. Consider your available mounting space, thermal environment, required capacitance, and manufacturing assembly process when making your selection.

Review the dimensional drawings in each product category. Request samples of both form factors for evaluation in your prototype if space constraints are critical.

cylindrical vs prismatic supercapacitor supercapacitor form factor EDLC selection
What are the advantages of Aowei hybrid capacitors over standard EDLC?

Aowei hybrid capacitors, also known as lithium-ion capacitors (LIC), offer significant advantages over standard EDLC supercapacitors in specific applications. Hybrid capacitors achieve 3-5 times higher energy density (up to 30 Wh/kg) compared to EDLC cells, enabling longer backup times and reduced system size. They maintain excellent power density characteristics, capable of rapid charge and discharge cycles. The hybrid design uses a pre-doped lithium-ion anode combined with an activated carbon cathode, resulting in higher nominal voltage (3.8V vs 2.7V) and improved energy storage capacity. These characteristics make hybrid capacitors ideal for applications requiring both high energy and high power, such as wearable devices, wireless sensors, and portable medical equipment. However, they have lower cycle life (50,000-100,000 cycles) compared to EDLC (500,000+ cycles), so application requirements must be carefully evaluated.

If your application requires backup times exceeding 60 seconds or has strict size constraints, hybrid capacitors may be the optimal choice. Contact our FAE team for detailed comparison analysis.

hybrid capacitor advantages lithium ion capacitor LIC vs EDLC
When should I use a supercapacitor module instead of individual cells?

Supercapacitor modules are recommended when your application requires operating voltages exceeding the 2.7-3.8V rating of individual cells, or when you need a complete energy storage solution with integrated management. Modules series-connect multiple cells to achieve higher voltages (16V to hundreds of volts) while incorporating active balancing circuits to ensure voltage equalization across cells. This prevents overvoltage conditions that could damage individual cells and extends overall system life. Modules also include thermal management features, monitoring capabilities, and standardized electrical connections that simplify system integration. Applications such as electric vehicle regenerative braking, grid-scale energy storage, and industrial UPS systems typically require module configurations. The additional cost of module integration is offset by reduced engineering effort, improved reliability, and faster time-to-market.

If your system voltage exceeds 15V or you need more than 4 cells in series, a module solution is strongly recommended. Review our module systems category for standard configurations or inquire about custom designs.

supercapacitor module energy storage module EDLC module selection
What are the key parameters to consider when selecting a supercapacitor?

Selecting the optimal supercapacitor requires evaluation of several critical parameters. Capacitance determines energy storage capacity and is measured in Farads (F). Rated voltage specifies the maximum operating voltage, typically 2.7V for EDLC and 3.8V for hybrid capacitors. ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) affects power delivery capability and self-heating during charge/discharge cycles. Leakage current indicates the rate of self-discharge when the capacitor is idle. Operating temperature range defines environmental limits, with Aowei products rated from -40°C to +65°C. Cycle life specifies the number of charge/discharge cycles before capacitance degrades below 80% of initial value. Physical dimensions and mounting style must fit your mechanical constraints. Finally, consider safety certifications required for your application, such as UL recognition for consumer products or AEC-Q200 for automotive.

Use our online selection tool or contact our FAE team with your voltage, energy, power, and environmental requirements for detailed recommendations.

supercapacitor parameters EDLC specifications capacitor selection criteria