Dissipation factor

ESR

Why is ESR important?

Electrolytic capacitors are used as input buffers to supply energy when the mains input voltage is too low, store energy while an AC/DC converter adapts to a new power level, and prevent switching noise from the converter reaching the power source. On the output of a converter, they act as a filter and current sink for inductive elements, and, in DC/DC conversion, function as an energy buffer when the power output demand changes.

In both cases, losses due to ESR will inhibit a capacitor’s ability to quickly source or sink charge. At the input, increasing ESR increases high frequency noise across the capacitor, decreasing filtering effectiveness. At the output, higher ESR causes more ripple, influencing stability of the control loop.

ESR is particularly important in applications with low duty-cycle, high-frequency current pulses. Here, the ripple voltage due to the ESR will be greater than expected based on capacitance alone, although the negative correlation of ESR with temperature means that ripple decreases as the assembly warms up.

Also, the introduction of a resistive element into what designers may assume is a purely reactive circuit can lead to unexpected shifts in phase response, again affecting stability.

ref. https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/resources/article/understanding-esr-in-electrolytic-capacitors/

Capacitor Type

”M” = metallized construction
”F” = film/foil construction (brands of other manufacturers are missing this letter)

The second letter “K” stands for plastic film capacitors.

The third letter indicates the dielectric film used:
“S” = Polyester / PET (other manufacturers are using “T”)
“M” = Mixed Dielectric
”P” = Polypropylene / PP

Clarity Cap

Super hi-end http://www.claritycap.co.uk/products/pur.php

Dayton

https://www.samdee-audio.com/category/60/capacitor-for-crossover-network/dayton-audio-capacitor

Solen

https://www.samdee-audio.com/category/59/capacitor-for-crossover-network/solen-capacitor

Solen (counterfeit?)

https://shopee.co.th/เน็ตเวิร์ค-คาปาซิเตอร์เกรดออดิโอ-สีดำ-400V-i.44695276.5819055380

MDL

https://www.samdee-audio.com/category/92/capacitor-for-crossover-network/m-d-l-capacitor

Spec

$X_{c} = \frac{1}{2 π f C}$ DF - Dissipation Factor

$D F = t an (δ) = \frac{ESR}{X _{c}}$

ESR - Equivalence Serial Resistance $ESR = t an (δ) \cdot \frac{1}{2 π f C}$

Capacitors Measurement

Name	C ( $\micro F$ )	F (Hz)	ESR ( $\ohm$ )	DF (%)	Q	$δ$ ( $de g$ )
Nichi P 22	20.99	120	1.938	3.071	32.57	1.759
		1k	1.06	1.06	13.57	7.369
		10k	0.6702	106.4	0.9403	46.76
Nichi BP 47	45.51	120	1.373	4.657	21.47	2.666
		1k	0.7096	19.64	5.091	11.11
		10k	0.3606	162.5	0.6153	58.4
Solen 2.2	2.18	120	33.26	5.457	18.33	3.124
		1k	0.007102	0.009733	10280	0.005576
		10k	0.4926	6.754	14.81	3.864
Solen 47	47.04	120	0.4276	1.517	65.93	0.869
		1k	0.5066	15.09	6.625	8.583
		10k	0.2994	140.9	0.7095	54.64
OHVL white 2.2	2.195	120	31.49	5.22	19.16	2.988
		1k	0.3108	0.4289	233.2	0.2457
		10k	0.561	7.686	13.01	4.395
OHVL blue 2.2	2.185	120	33.31	5.476	18.26	3.135
		1k	0.007061	0.009681	10330	0.005547
		10k	0.4912	6.753	14.81	3.863
Nichi + OHVL	47.78	120	1.298	4.621	21.64	2.646
		1k	0.6879	20.05	4.988	11.34
		10k	0.3436	165.6	0.6039	58.87

LDN

Explorer

Capacitor