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Understanding the Frequency Characteristics of Capacitors, Relative to ESR and ESL

2018.10.25

Points of this article

・Capacitors for use in dealing with noise should be selected based on the frequency characteristic of the impedance rather than the capacitance.

・When the capacitance and the ESL are smaller, the resonance frequency is higher, and the impedance in the high-frequency region is lower.

・The larger the capacitance, the lower is the impedance in the capacitive region.

・The smaller the ESR, the lower is the impedance at the resonance frequency.

・The smaller the ESL, the lower is the impedance in the inductive region.

Understanding the Frequency Characteristics of Capacitors

When using capacitors to handle noise problems, a good understanding of the capacitor characteristics is essential. This diagram shows the relationship between capacitor impedance and frequency, and is a characteristic that is basic to any capacitor.

In addition to the electrostatic capacitance C of the capacitor, there are also the resistive component ESR (equivalent series resistance), the inductive component ESL (equivalent series inductance), and the EPR (equivalent parallel resistance), which exists in parallel with the electrostatic capacitance. The EPR means that there is an insulating resistance IR between electrodes, or that there is a leakage current between electrodes. It may be that the term IR is generally used.

C and ELS form a series resonance circuit, and the impedance of the capacitor has what is essentially a V-shape frequency characteristic, as shown in the diagram. Up until the resonance frequency, the capacitive characteristic is exhibited, and the impedance falls. The impedance at the resonance frequency depends on the ESR. When the resonance frequency is exceeded, the impedance characteristic changes to inductive, and as the frequency rises, the impedance increases. The inductive impedance characteristic depends on the ESL.

The resonance frequency can be calculated using this equation:

This equation indicates that the smaller the electrostatic capacitance and the smaller the ESL of a capacitor, the higher is the resonance frequency. When applying this to the elimination of noise, a capacitor with a smaller capacitance and smaller ESL has a lower impedance at a higher frequency, and so is better for removing high-frequency noise.

The order of the explanation here is reversed, but noise countermeasures that employ capacitors make use of the basic capacitor characteristic of “passing AC currents, and passing them more easily at higher frequencies”. Capacitors are thus used to shunt unwanted noise (AC components) away from signals or power supply lines to GND, for example.

The following graph shows the frequency characteristics of the impedance of capacitors with different electrostatic capacitances. In the capacitive characteristic region, the larger the capacitance, the lower is the impedance. Moreover, the smaller the capacitance, the higher is the resonance frequency, and the lower is the impedance in the inductive characteristic region.

Our explanation of the frequency characteristics of capacitor impedance may be summarized as follows.

When the capacitance and ESL are smaller, the resonance frequency is higher,
and the impedance in the high-frequency region is lower.
The larger the capacitance, the lower is the impedance in the capacitive region.
The smaller the ESR, the lower is the impedance at the resonance frequency.
The smaller the ESL, the lower is the impedance in the inductive region.

Put simply, capacitors with lower impedance are better at removing noise, but the frequency characteristic of the impedance depends on the capacitor, and so it is important to verify the capacitor characteristics. When selecting capacitors for use in dealing with noise, one should select the device according to the frequency characteristic of the impedance rather than the capacitance.

When selecting capacitors for use in noise countermeasures, the frequency characteristic must be considered with the understanding that what is being connected is not merely a capacitance, but a series LC resonance circuit.

【Download Documents】 Switching Power Supply Basic of EMC and Noise Countermeasures

This is a handbook on the basics of EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and noise countermeasures for switching power supplies. Based on the understanding of the basics of noise, it explains the noise countermeasures using capacitors and inductors in switching power supplies.

Understanding the Frequency Characteristics of Capacitors, Relative to ESR and ESL

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