Determination of the Shelf Life of Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors.

• Main Author: Wynne, Edward McFaddin
• Other Authors: Plummer, Mitty C.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2002
• Subjects: Electrolytic capacitors.; Capacitor; aluminum electrolytic; shelf life; reforming
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3104/

The aluminum electrolytic capacitor is used extensively in the electric utility industry. A factor limiting the storage of spare capacitors is the integrity of the aluminum oxide dielectric, which over time breaks down contributing to a shelf life currently estimated at one nuclear power electric generating station to be approximately five years. This project examined the electrical characteristics of naturally aged capacitors of several different styles to determine if design parameters were still within limits. Additionally, the effectiveness of a technique known as “Reforming” was examined to determine its impact on those characteristics.