How does the capacitance of cl21 - film capacitor change with temperature?
Sep 25, 2025| Hey there! As a supplier of CL21-film capacitors, I've been getting a lot of questions lately about how the capacitance of these capacitors changes with temperature. So, I thought I'd take a deep dive into this topic and share what I've learned.
First off, let's quickly go over what a CL21-film capacitor is. CL21-film capacitors are metalized polyester film capacitors that are widely used in various electronic circuits. They're known for their good self-healing properties, relatively high capacitance values, and stable performance. You can check out some of our products like the Film Capacitor 103J250V, 2.2 Uf Polyester Capacitor, and CL21-Film Capacitor 250V.
Now, let's talk about how temperature affects the capacitance of CL21-film capacitors. Capacitance is basically a measure of a capacitor's ability to store an electric charge. And just like many other physical properties, the capacitance of a CL21-film capacitor can change as the temperature changes.
One of the main factors that influence the capacitance - temperature relationship is the material of the dielectric in the capacitor. In CL21-film capacitors, the dielectric is polyester film. The dielectric constant of polyester film is temperature - dependent. As the temperature goes up, the molecular structure of the polyester film changes. The molecules start to vibrate more vigorously, which affects the polarization of the dielectric.
When the temperature increases, the dielectric constant of the polyester film usually decreases. Since the capacitance of a parallel - plate capacitor is given by the formula (C=\epsilon\frac{A}{d}), where (\epsilon) is the dielectric constant, (A) is the area of the plates, and (d) is the distance between the plates. A decrease in the dielectric constant (\epsilon) leads to a decrease in the capacitance (C).
However, the relationship between capacitance and temperature isn't always a simple linear one. In fact, the capacitance - temperature characteristic of CL21-film capacitors is often described by a curve. At lower temperatures, the change in capacitance might be relatively small. But as the temperature approaches the upper limit of the capacitor's operating temperature range, the rate of change of capacitance can increase.
Most CL21-film capacitors are specified with a certain capacitance tolerance over a given temperature range. For example, a common temperature range for these capacitors is from - 40°C to 85°C. Within this range, the capacitance change is usually within a specified percentage, say ±5% or ±10%. This tolerance is important because it tells you how much the capacitance can vary under normal operating conditions.
If you're using CL21-film capacitors in a circuit where precise capacitance values are crucial, you need to take this temperature - related capacitance change into account. For instance, in a filter circuit, a significant change in capacitance due to temperature can affect the filter's frequency response. The cut - off frequency of a filter is related to the capacitance value, so a change in capacitance can shift the cut - off frequency, which might not be desirable.
On the other hand, if the circuit can tolerate some variation in capacitance, then the temperature - induced changes might not be a big deal. In some power supply circuits, for example, a small change in capacitance might not have a major impact on the overall performance of the circuit.
Now, let's look at some practical implications for us as a supplier. When we're manufacturing CL21-film capacitors, we have to make sure that the capacitors meet the specified capacitance - temperature characteristics. We use quality control measures to test the capacitors at different temperatures to ensure that they fall within the acceptable tolerance range.


We also provide detailed datasheets for our products. These datasheets include information about the capacitance - temperature relationship, such as the capacitance tolerance over the operating temperature range. This way, our customers can make informed decisions when choosing the right capacitor for their applications.
If you're in the market for CL21-film capacitors and you're worried about how temperature might affect the performance of your circuit, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We can help you select the right capacitor based on your specific requirements. Whether you need a capacitor with a very tight capacitance tolerance over a wide temperature range or you can afford a bit more variation, we've got options for you.
In conclusion, the capacitance of CL21-film capacitors changes with temperature due to the temperature - dependent dielectric constant of the polyester film. The change is usually a decrease in capacitance as the temperature increases, and the relationship is often non - linear. Understanding this relationship is crucial for both circuit designers and users of these capacitors.
If you're interested in learning more about our CL21-film capacitors or have any questions regarding capacitance - temperature characteristics, feel free to contact us. We're here to assist you in finding the best solutions for your electronic projects. Let's start a conversation and see how we can work together to meet your capacitor needs.
References:
- Manufacturer's datasheets for CL21 - film capacitors
- Textbooks on electronic components and circuits

