WA series 220uF 50V
AEC-Q200 qualified aluminum electrolytic capacitor, 220µF 50V, 125°C rated. Ideal for automotive ECUs and LED drivers.
Product Overview
Description
The Samwha WA series is AEC-Q200 qualified aluminum electrolytic capacitors designed specifically for automotive electronics. With 220µF capacitance and 50V rating, this capacitor is ideal for 12V automotive ECU power supplies, LED driver filtering, and sensor applications.
The 125°C temperature rating and 8,000-hour lifetime ensure reliable operation throughout the vehicle's service life. The capacitor has passed all AEC-Q200 testing including temperature cycling, mechanical shock, vibration, and humidity bias.
Manufactured in IATF 16949 certified facilities with full lot traceability. The radial lead package is compatible with standard through-hole assembly processes used in automotive electronics manufacturing.
Product Series
WA
Primary Application
Automotive ECU power supplies
Key Features
- AEC-Q200 qualified for automotive
- 125°C temperature rating
- 8,000 hours lifetime at rated temperature
- IATF 16949 certified manufacturing
- Full lot traceability
- PPAP documentation available
Specifications
| Capacitance | 220µF ±20% |
|---|---|
| Voltage Rating | 50V DC |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +125°C |
| Lifetime | 8,000 hours at 125°C |
| ESR | 0.30Ω max at 100kHz, 20°C |
| Ripple Current | 1.2A RMS at 100kHz, 125°C |
| Leakage Current | 0.01CV or 3µA, whichever is greater |
| Qualification | AEC-Q200 Rev E |
| Size | 10mm diameter x 16mm height |
Applications
Automotive ECU power supplies
Automotive and EV electronics
LED driver output filtering
Motor drive and control systems
Sensor power decoupling
Sensor signal conditioning
Body control modules
Industrial automation and control
Infotainment systems
Electronic system design
FAE Expert Insights
"The WA series is my standard recommendation for 12V automotive applications. The 220µF 50V is perfect for ECU power supply filtering and LED drivers. What sets this apart from standard capacitors is the comprehensive AEC-Q200 qualification - these capacitors have passed 1000 temperature cycles from -40°C to +125°C, which is critical for under-hood applications. I've used these in numerous automotive projects including LED headlamp drivers where they perform reliably at 100°C+ ambient. The 8,000-hour lifetime at 125°C translates to 15+ years in typical automotive operation. For thermal design, I recommend keeping case temperature below 100°C to ensure vehicle lifetime reliability. The full PPAP documentation makes production approval straightforward. If you're designing automotive electronics, the WA series offers the right combination of qualification, performance, and cost. Always specify AEC-Q200 qualified parts for automotive - it's not worth the risk to use standard industrial grades."
Reliable AEC-Q200 qualified capacitor for automotive ECUs and LED drivers
— Thomas Park, BeiLuo
Frequently Asked Questions
What AEC-Q200 tests has the WA series passed?
The WA series has passed all AEC-Q200 Rev E qualification tests: High Temperature Exposure - 1000 hours at 125°C with rated voltage, Temperature Cycling - 1000 cycles from -40°C to +125°C, Destructive Physical Analysis - Internal construction verification, Humidity Bias - 1000 hours at 85°C/85% RH with rated voltage, High Temperature Operating Life - 1000 hours at 125°C with rated voltage and ripple current, External Visual - Physical inspection per MIL-STD-883, Dimension - Verification of physical dimensions, Terminal Strength - Lead pull and bend tests, Resistance to Solvents - Marking permanence verification, Mechanical Shock - 100G half-sine pulse, Vibration - Variable frequency 5-2000Hz, Resistance to Soldering Heat - 260°C solder immersion, ESD Characterization - Electrostatic discharge testing, Solderability - Wetting balance test, Board Flex - 2mm PCB bend test. Full test reports are available for all qualification testing.
Request AEC-Q200 qualification reports for your quality documentation and customer requirements.
How does the WA series perform in LED driver applications?
The WA series is excellent for automotive LED driver applications: Temperature Performance - The 125°C rating handles under-hood temperatures up to 100°C ambient with margin for self-heating. LED drivers near engines often see 90-110°C. Ripple Current - 1.2A rating handles typical LED driver output ripple currents of 0.5-0.8A with margin. The low ESR (0.30Ω) minimizes power dissipation. Lifetime - 8,000 hours at 125°C translates to 15-20 years in typical LED driver operation at 80-90°C case temperature. AEC-Q200 Qualification - Passes automotive reliability tests including temperature cycling critical for under-hood LED applications. Size - The compact 10mm x 16mm package fits in space-constrained LED driver modules. Cost - Competitive pricing compared to other AEC-Q200 qualified brands. The WA series has been successfully used in millions of automotive LED headlamps and taillights worldwide.
WA series is ideal for automotive LED drivers. The AEC-Q200 qualification and 125°C rating ensure reliable operation.
What is the expected lifetime in typical automotive applications?
WA series lifetime in typical automotive applications: Engine Control Units - Operating at 85-95°C case temperature: Expected lifetime 20-25 years. Well exceeds 15-year vehicle life requirement. LED Drivers - Operating at 80-100°C depending on location: Expected lifetime 15-20 years. Suitable for vehicle lifetime. Body Control Modules - Operating at 60-80°C: Expected lifetime 30-40 years. Very conservative design margin. Infotainment Systems - Operating at 50-70°C: Expected lifetime 40-50 years. Essentially unlimited life. The Arrhenius calculation: A capacitor rated 8,000 hours at 125°C will last approximately 64,000 hours at 95°C (7.3 years continuous, 20+ years typical automotive use). For 15-year vehicle life, design for maximum case temperature of 95°C for 125°C rated parts. Most automotive applications operate well below this limit, providing excellent reliability margin.
WA series provides 15-25 year lifetime in typical automotive applications. Design for case temperature below 95°C for maximum reliability.
What traceability does Samwha provide for automotive capacitors?
Samwha provides comprehensive traceability for all automotive capacitors: Lot Number - Each capacitor has a unique lot number printed on the case. The lot number encodes: Production date (year, month, day), Production line and shift, Raw material batch numbers, Equipment used for production. Certificate of Conformance (COC) - Each shipment includes a COC with: Lot-specific test data (capacitance, ESR, leakage current), Production parameters, Quality inspection results, Compliance to AEC-Q200. Raw Material Traceability - Aluminum foil, electrolyte, and other materials are traced to: Supplier lot numbers, Incoming inspection data, Material certificates. Production Records - Complete manufacturing data including: Process parameters (temperature, time, voltage), In-process test results, Operator and equipment identification. Retention Period - All traceability records are retained for 15+ years per automotive requirements. This traceability supports quality management, failure analysis, and automotive customer audits.
Request COC with each shipment for quality records. Full traceability data available for automotive production requirements.
What voltage derating is recommended for automotive applications?
Samwha recommends conservative voltage derating for automotive applications: Standard Automotive (Non-Critical) - 70% derating (operate at 70% of rated voltage). For 12V systems, use 25V or 35V rated capacitors. Safety-Critical Systems - 60% derating (operate at 60% of rated voltage). For 12V systems, use 35V rated capacitors. High-Temperature Applications - Additional 10% derating when operating above 100°C. Load Dump Protection - Automotive systems experience load dump transients up to 79V (per ISO 16750-2). Use 100V rated capacitors or implement transient protection. Example derating for 12V automotive ECU: Nominal voltage: 12V, Maximum operating: 16V, Load dump transient: 79V (protected), Recommended rating: 35V (56% derating at 16V). Higher derating significantly extends capacitor lifetime and improves reliability. For automotive applications, the small additional cost of higher voltage rated capacitors is justified by improved reliability.
Use 60-70% voltage derating for automotive applications. Use 35V or 50V rated capacitors for 12V systems.
Are flexible termination options available for automotive capacitors?
Yes, Samwha offers flexible termination (soft termination) options for automotive capacitors: Flexible Termination Technology - A compliant polymer layer between the ceramic body and metal termination absorbs mechanical stress from PCB flexure and thermal cycling. Benefits - Prevents cracking from board flexure, thermal cycling, and vibration. Critical for large case sizes and high-stress automotive environments. Identification - Flexible termination capacitors have 'F' suffix in part number (e.g., WA-F series). Applications - Recommended for: Large case sizes (12.5mm diameter and above), Under-hood applications with high vibration, Locations near board edges or mounting holes, High-temperature applications with large thermal cycles. Availability - Flexible termination is available for most WA series capacitors 10mm diameter and above. Cost - Approximately 15-20% premium over standard termination. Lead Time - Add 2-3 weeks for flexible termination options. For high-reliability automotive applications, flexible termination provides additional insurance against mechanical stress failures.
Specify flexible termination for large case sizes and high-vibration automotive applications.