Panasonic expands production of large hybrid capacitors in AI boom

Panasonic Industry is responding to the increasing demand for power supplies in AI datacentres by expanding production of its larger hybrid capacitors. These capacitors are a combination of polymer aluminium electrolytic and specialty polymer capacitors, offering higher endurance, low equivalent series resistance (ESR), and greater tolerance for ripple and inrush currents, even in elevated temperature conditions.

The market is showing a particular interest in high-volume 6x6mm diameter capacitors, as well as the more specialized devices at 10x10mm and above in the ZUU, ZC, and ZS surface mount families. These hybrid capacitors are becoming essential components in power supplies for AI processors in datacentres, supporting higher switching frequencies for increased efficiency.

Panasonic's hybrid capacitors are designed to operate at up to 80V with a capacitance of up to 1000 μF. They offer the advantage of occupying less space on the printed circuit board, making them ideal for smaller power supplies. The ZUU series hybrid capacitors boast a ripple current handling capability of 6.1 Arms maximum, a significant improvement over previous series, at both 125°C and 135°C. Additionally, they feature the largest capacitance value of 1,000 μF and the lowest ESR value of 8mΩ minimum.

These hybrid capacitors are not only compliant with AEC-Q200 standards for automotive applications like pump, electric power steering, cooling fans, high current DC to DC converter, and ADAS, but they are also increasingly being utilized in high reliability power supplies. Applications include DC to DC converters and AC to DC converters in base stations, servers, routers, switches, and inverter power supplies in robotics, as they can withstand shocks of up to 30G.

To meet the growing demand, Panasonic is ramping up production at multiple sites in Malaysia to ensure a continuous supply, especially for the 6x6mm and 10x10mm families. This expansion is crucial to support the industry's need for reliable and efficient power supplies in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI datacentres and other high-tech applications.

For more information on Panasonic's hybrid capacitors and their applications, visit industry.panasonic.eu.