Open-Mode Design (FO-CAP) Multilayer Ceramic Chip Capacitors

KEMET, a Yageo Group company, ceramic open mode capacitors with X7R dielectric are designed to significantly minimize the probability of a low-IR or short-circuit condition when forced to failure in a board stress flex situation, thus reducing the potential for catastrophic failure. The open-mode capacitor may experience a drop in capacitance; however, a short is unlikely because a crack will not typically propagate across counter electrodes within the device’s active area. Concerned with flex cracks resulting from excessive tensile and shear stresses produced during board flexure. These devices are available with KEMET flexible termination technology which inhibits the transfer of board stress to the rigid ceramic body, therefore mitigating flex cracks which can result in low-IR or short circuit failures.

Open-mode devices complement KEMET floating electrode (FE-CAP) and floating electrode with flexible termination (FF-CAP) product lines by providing a fail-safe design optimized for mid to high-range capacitance values. These devices exhibit a predictable change in capacitance with respect to time and voltage and boast a minimal change in capacitance with reference to ambient temperature. These capacitors are widely used in automotive circuits as well as power supplies (input and output filters) and general electronic applications.