Automotive Electronics Solutions

Application

Description

Automotive-grade capacitor solutions for EV charging, LED lighting, and onboard electronics

Core Advantages

AEC-Q200 Qualified All automotive capacitors meet strict AEC-Q200 qualification requirements for vehicle applications.
Extended Temperature Temperature ratings up to 150°C for extreme automotive environments.
Complete Documentation Full PPAP documentation available for automotive supplier qualification.
Cost Effective Competitive pricing with excellent value proposition for high-volume applications.
Global Support Worldwide technical support and local inventory for fast delivery.

Recommended Bill of Materials (BOM)

Item Part Number Description Quantity Datasheet
1 AKM-100uF-50V LED driver filtering capacitor 4 📄 Download
2 AKM-470uF-63V EV charger DC bus capacitor 2 📄 Download

Applications

EV charging systems
LED lighting
Engine control units
Onboard electronics

Technical Specifications

voltage Range
25V - 100V DC
capacitance Range
10uF - 1000uF
temperature Range
-40°C to +150°C
lifetime
2000 - 10000 hours
ripple Current
Up to 5A

Customer Success Stories

EV Charging Equipment Manufacturer

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure |

Challenge

Needed AEC-Q200 qualified capacitors for onboard EV chargers operating at high temperatures with strict reliability requirements.

Solution

Implemented Chemi-Con AKM series capacitors with 125°C rating and AEC-Q200 qualification. Used 50% voltage derating for maximum reliability.

Results

  • Passed all automotive qualification tests
  • Operating reliably at 120°C ambient
  • Zero field failures in 5 years of production

Automotive LED Lighting Supplier

Automotive Lighting |

Challenge

Required compact, high-reliability capacitors for LED driver modules in vehicle lighting systems.

Solution

Selected Chemi-Con AKM series automotive capacitors with 125°C rating. Implemented proper thermal management and voltage derating.

Results

  • Compact design met space constraints
  • Reliable operation in under-hood environment
  • AEC-Q200 qualification met OEM requirements

FAE Expert Insights

S

Senior FAE

Applications Engineer

10+ years

Professional Insights

Automotive applications demand the highest reliability standards. In my experience supporting automotive designs with Chemi-Con capacitors, conservative design practices are essential. I always recommend 50% voltage derating for automotive - this provides margin for load dumps, transients, and the critical nature of vehicle systems. Temperature management is crucial - even with 125°C rated capacitors, operating below 100°C significantly extends life.

Key Takeaways

  • Always use AEC-Q200 qualified capacitors for automotive
  • Apply 50% voltage derating for automotive applications
  • Select 150°C rating for extreme temperature locations
  • Maintain operating temperature below 100°C when possible
  • Ensure complete PPAP documentation is available

Decision Framework

Steps:
  1. Analyze application requirements including voltage, current, and temperature
  2. Calculate required capacitance based on ripple voltage and hold-up time
  3. Select voltage rating with appropriate derating (typically 20-50%)
  4. Evaluate ripple current requirements and thermal management needs
  5. Calculate expected lifetime using Arrhenius equation
  6. Verify physical dimensions and mounting requirements
  7. Consider cost and availability factors

Ready to Implement This Solution?

Contact our FAE team for design support and quotes

Contact Us Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AEC-Q200 qualification?

AEC-Q200 is the global standard for passive electronic components used in automotive applications. It defines rigorous testing requirements including temperature cycling (-40°C to +125°C or +150°C), vibration, mechanical shock, humidity, and solderability tests. AEC-Q200 qualification ensures capacitors can survive the harsh automotive environment.

For any automotive application, always specify AEC-Q200 qualified capacitors.

What voltage derating is required for automotive applications?

For automotive applications, 50% voltage derating is recommended. This conservative derating accounts for load dump conditions (voltage transients up to 100V in 12V systems), line regulation variations, and the critical nature of vehicle systems. For a 50V rated capacitor, limit operating voltage to 25V.

Apply 50% voltage derating for all automotive applications to ensure maximum reliability.

What temperature rating should I select?

For most automotive applications, 125°C rated capacitors are sufficient. For extreme under-hood applications or locations near heat sources, 150°C rated capacitors provide additional margin. Consider worst-case ambient temperature plus self-heating from ripple current when selecting temperature rating.

Use 125°C for most applications, 150°C for extreme temperature locations.

What documentation is required for automotive qualification?

Automotive qualification requires PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) documentation including: design records, material certifications, AEC-Q200 test reports, process flow diagrams, PFMEA, control plan, measurement system analysis, dimensional results, material performance test results, and ongoing reliability data.

Contact our sales team for complete PPAP documentation package.

How do automotive capacitors differ from industrial capacitors?

Automotive capacitors undergo additional AEC-Q200 testing and qualification. They feature enhanced construction for vibration resistance, extended temperature ratings (125°C or 150°C vs 85°C or 105°C), improved sealing for humidity resistance, and stricter quality controls. Documentation includes PPAP and ongoing reliability monitoring.

For automotive applications, always use AEC-Q200 qualified capacitors rather than standard industrial types.

What is the expected lifetime in automotive applications?

With proper derating and thermal management, automotive capacitors can achieve 15+ year operational life matching vehicle lifetime. Capacitors rated for 2000 hours at 125°C can achieve 50,000+ hours at 85°C operating temperature. The key is conservative design with adequate voltage derating and temperature management.

Design for vehicle lifetime (15+ years) using proper derating and thermal management.