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Which capacitor to choose: 5 uF or two 2.5 uF in parallel ?

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usernam

usernam

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Capacitor Selection

Hi
I need to decide between using a 5uF capacitor and two 2.5uF capacitors in parallel. In which case will size and heat loss be larger. I'm using aluminium electrolytics.

TIA
 

Re: Capacitor Selection

using a 5uF is a better choice

using 2 capacitors will result in more heat due to the higher resistance
 

Re: Capacitor Selection

it depends on the type of capacitors that you use. Regarding size the 5uF is probably a better choice but the two 2.2uF give you more flexibility in terms of PCB design. For heat loss check the capacitors datasheet sometimes smaller caps have lower esr (if it is paralleled) and better high frequency characteristics. If the esr of the 2.2uF is more than twice the esr of the 5uF use the latter if it is less use the parallel combination.
 

Capacitor Selection

You never said how much current, and the operating frecuency.

Please let us know how much currente will flow to the capacitor. Some times when current is big at the start the transition in the capacitor generates a peak of current and if the internal resistance is small the capacitor will blow up. If the current isn't big you must not have any problem in any case.

However I recomend use only one capacitor.
 

Capacitor Selection

Another consideration is the leakage current, for aluminium capacitors is large, and if you put two in parallel, it will increase and losees rises.
 

Capacitor Selection

A better decision would be to have a look at Manfacturer's specs.
 

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