Aowei Cylindrical Supercapacitors

Aowei cylindrical supercapacitors are rated for 2.7V nominal voltage with a maximum operating voltage of 2.85V. This voltage rating is standard across the EDLC industry and is determined by the electrochemical stability window of the organic electrolyte and activated carbon electrode combination. Operating above 2.85V will accelerate electrolyte decomposition, leading to increased ESR, reduced capacitance, and shortened operational life. For applications requiring higher voltages, cells must be connected in series with appropriate voltage balancing. Aowei recommends maintaining at least 10% voltage derating (operating at 2.43V or below) for applications requiring maximum cycle life, particularly in high-temperature environments above 45°C.

For system voltages above 2.7V, consider our module systems with integrated balancing, or contact our FAE team for series connection design guidance.

Temperature significantly impacts supercapacitor performance across multiple parameters. At low temperatures (below -20°C), ESR increases substantially due to reduced electrolyte ionic conductivity, limiting high-current discharge capability. Capacitance also decreases slightly at low temperatures, typically by 10-15% at -40°C. At high temperatures (above 45°C), electrolyte degradation accelerates, reducing operational life according to the Arrhenius equation - approximately doubling the degradation rate for every 10°C increase. Leakage current increases exponentially with temperature, affecting long-term energy retention. Aowei cylindrical cells are rated for -40°C to +65°C operation, but optimal performance and lifetime are achieved between -20°C and +45°C. For extreme temperature applications, thermal management including heating or cooling may be necessary.

If your application operates outside the -20°C to +45°C range, contact our FAE team for thermal management recommendations and lifetime calculations.

Aowei cylindrical supercapacitors are rated for 500,000 to 1,000,000 charge/discharge cycles depending on the specific series and operating conditions. This exceptional cycle life is a fundamental advantage of EDLC technology compared to batteries (typically 500-2000 cycles). Cycle life is defined as the number of cycles before capacitance degrades below 80% of initial rated value when operated within specified parameters. Key factors affecting cycle life include operating voltage (lower voltage extends life), operating temperature (lower temperature extends life), and depth of discharge (shallower cycles extend life). At rated voltage and 25°C, Aowei cells maintain 90% of initial capacitance after 100,000 cycles and 80% after 500,000 cycles. For applications requiring maximum longevity, operating at 80% of rated voltage can extend cycle life to over 1,000,000 cycles.

For applications requiring more than 500,000 cycles, specify the AW-HC (High Cycle) series or contact our FAE team for derating recommendations.

The energy storage capacity of a supercapacitor can be calculated using the fundamental equation E = 1/2 * C * V², where E is energy in Joules, C is capacitance in Farads, and V is voltage in Volts. For practical applications, it's often useful to convert to watt-hours (Wh) by dividing Joules by 3600. For example, a 100F, 2.7V supercapacitor stores E = 0.5 * 100 * (2.7)² = 364.5 Joules or approximately 0.1 Wh. When calculating usable energy, consider the minimum operating voltage of your application - energy can only be extracted down to this minimum voltage. The usable energy is therefore E_usable = 1/2 * C * (V_max² - V_min²). For systems with multiple cells in series, use the total capacitance (C_total = C_cell / n for n series cells) and total voltage (V_total = V_cell * n) in the calculation.

Use our online energy calculator or contact our FAE team for detailed sizing calculations including efficiency and voltage balancing losses.

Aowei cylindrical supercapacitors are available with multiple mounting configurations to suit different assembly requirements. Standard radial lead mounting features two leads extending from the bottom of the cell for through-hole PCB mounting, with lead spacing of 5mm or 7.5mm depending on cell diameter. This is the most common configuration for general-purpose applications. Snap-in terminals provide secure mechanical mounting for larger cells (350F and above) with positive retention in the PCB. Axial lead configurations have leads extending from both ends of the cylindrical cell, suitable for chassis mounting or applications requiring vertical mounting orientation. Some models offer threaded terminal posts for busbar connections in high-current applications. All mounting styles are designed to withstand typical shock and vibration requirements for automotive and industrial applications.

Review the mechanical drawings for each part number to confirm mounting compatibility with your PCB layout or chassis design.