What is the temperature coefficient of Capacitor Axial?
Oct 01, 2025| Hey there! As a supplier of Capacitor Axial, I often get asked about the temperature coefficient of these capacitors. So, I thought I'd write a blog post to explain what it is and why it matters.
First off, let's talk about what a capacitor is. A capacitor is an electronic component that stores and releases electrical energy. It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material, called a dielectric. When a voltage is applied across the plates, an electric field is created, and charge is stored on the plates.
Now, the temperature coefficient of a capacitor refers to how its capacitance changes with temperature. Capacitance is the measure of a capacitor's ability to store charge. It's usually measured in farads (F), but in practice, most capacitors have capacitances in the picofarad (pF), nanofarad (nF), or microfarad (μF) range.
The temperature coefficient is typically expressed in parts per million per degree Celsius (ppm/°C). A positive temperature coefficient means that the capacitance increases as the temperature rises, while a negative temperature coefficient means that the capacitance decreases as the temperature rises.
Why does the temperature coefficient matter? Well, in many electronic circuits, the capacitance of a capacitor needs to be stable over a wide range of temperatures. For example, in a radio frequency (RF) circuit, a small change in capacitance can cause the circuit to operate at a different frequency, which can affect its performance. Similarly, in a power supply circuit, a change in capacitance can affect the voltage regulation and filtering capabilities of the circuit.
So, as a supplier of Capacitor Axial, we offer capacitors with different temperature coefficients to meet the needs of our customers. For instance, we have CBB20-Axial Lead Film Capacitor 630V and CBB20-Axial Lead Film Capacitor 400V. These capacitors are made with high - quality materials and are designed to have relatively stable capacitance over a wide temperature range.
Our Polyester Capacitors for Audio are also carefully engineered to maintain their performance in different temperature conditions. In audio applications, stability is crucial to ensure that the sound quality remains consistent, regardless of the ambient temperature.
The temperature coefficient of a capacitor is affected by several factors. One of the main factors is the type of dielectric material used. Different dielectric materials have different temperature coefficients. For example, ceramic capacitors can have a wide range of temperature coefficients, depending on the specific ceramic formulation. Some ceramic dielectrics have a high positive temperature coefficient, while others have a negative temperature coefficient or are designed to be temperature - stable.
Another factor is the construction of the capacitor. The way the plates are arranged, the thickness of the dielectric, and the quality of the materials used in the manufacturing process can all influence the temperature coefficient. At our company, we use advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure that our Capacitor Axial products have consistent and reliable temperature coefficients.
When choosing a capacitor for a particular application, it's important to consider the operating temperature range of the circuit. You need to select a capacitor with a temperature coefficient that will keep the capacitance within an acceptable tolerance over that temperature range. For example, if your circuit will operate in a very cold environment, you might need a capacitor with a positive temperature coefficient to compensate for the decrease in capacitance that would otherwise occur at low temperatures.
In addition to the temperature coefficient, there are other important specifications to consider when choosing a capacitor, such as voltage rating, tolerance, and equivalent series resistance (ESR). The voltage rating indicates the maximum voltage that the capacitor can safely handle without breaking down. The tolerance tells you how much the actual capacitance of the capacitor can deviate from its nominal value. And the ESR affects the capacitor's performance in AC circuits, especially at high frequencies.
We understand that choosing the right capacitor can be a bit confusing, especially when you're not an expert in electronics. That's why our team of technical experts is always ready to help. We can provide you with detailed information about the temperature coefficients and other specifications of our Capacitor Axial products, and help you select the best capacitor for your specific application.
Whether you're working on a small DIY project or a large - scale industrial application, we have the right capacitor for you. Our goal is to provide high - quality products at competitive prices, along with excellent customer service.
If you're interested in purchasing our Capacitor Axial products, or if you have any questions about the temperature coefficient or other aspects of our capacitors, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're here to assist you with all your capacitor needs and look forward to the opportunity to work with you on your next project.


References
- The Art of Electronics, Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill
- Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, Robert L. Boylestad and Louis Nashelsky

