ceramic capacitors ?

AndrewT · 7th April 2006, 10:09 AM

Hi all,
what is the difference between NPO and COG ceramic capacitors?

How might it affect their intended end use?

mzzj · 7th April 2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AndrewT
Hi all,
what is the difference between NPO and COG ceramic capacitors?

How might it affect their intended end use?

Nada, they are same thing. And its NP0 and C0G, not NPO or COG
"Negative-Positive-Zero" as tempco is +-30ppm

AndrewT · 7th April 2006, 11:27 AM

Thanks Mzzj,

What is C0G?

jacco vermeulen · 7th April 2006, 02:48 PM

COG is the name of the dielectric type.

serengetiplains · 7th April 2006, 05:03 PM

C0G capacitors have excellent dielectric characteristics which compete with better film varieties: low distortion, low DA, low DF. X5R capacitors, and its siblings, are another matter entirely having dielectric characteristics that compete with the worst of electrolytics for Worst Capacitor Ever.

serengetiplains · 7th April 2006, 05:39 PM

Seeing as I mentioned the dreaded X5R, here's a distortion plot of an X7R. Says Cyril Bateman who performed the test generating the plot:

"This 10nF X7R ceramic was made by a CECC approved, European manufacturer. It was tested at 1kHz and 3 volts, in series with a 10k ohm current limiting resistor. Measurable distortion exists at all voltages down to 0.5 volts – my lowest test voltage."

serengetiplains · 7th April 2006, 05:53 PM

Here's the same test on a C0G.

RetroAudio · 7th April 2006, 06:16 PM

I've been using NPO/COG caps in a variety of places with extremely good results,..at least to the ear.

AndrewT · 7th April 2006, 06:29 PM

Hi Serenq,
that's some difference -63db (x7r) reduced to -127db for the C0G.

Thanks to all.

Is the low distortion an indication that ppm/V is not an issue for C0G and NP0 when used in Audio locations. We all use ceramic in bypass duty.

infinia · 7th April 2006, 06:30 PM

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the plots. Do you have the test configuration diagram?

Too bad ceramics a got a bad rap in the audio world. They are really good performers if used properly. But can a nightmare if misused. (piezo microphonics). I still use em X7R included and could not be without.
Generally use for low imp/supply bypass. Never in high imp/ high gain circuits like feedback networks. NP0's abound in RF world up to several GHz.

7th April 2006, 10:09 AM	#1
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	ceramic capacitors ? Hi all, what is the difference between NPO and COG ceramic capacitors? How might it affect their intended end use?

7th April 2006, 02:48 PM	#4
jacco vermeulen diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the sea front, Rotterdam or Curaçao	COG is the name of the dielectric type. __________________ Not so much,.......if it says "ZM" in the corner.

7th April 2006, 06:30 PM	#10
infinia diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication	Hi Tom, Thanks for the plots. Do you have the test configuration diagram? Too bad ceramics a got a bad rap in the audio world. They are really good performers if used properly. But can a nightmare if misused. (piezo microphonics). I still use em X7R included and could not be without. Generally use for low imp/supply bypass. Never in high imp/ high gain circuits like feedback networks. NP0's abound in RF world up to several GHz. __________________ like four million tons of hydrogen exploding on the sun like the whisper of the termites building castles in the dust

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7th April 2006, 11:27 AM	#3
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Thanks Mzzj, What is C0G?

7th April 2006, 05:03 PM	#5
serengetiplains diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Canada	C0G capacitors have excellent dielectric characteristics which compete with better film varieties: low distortion, low DA, low DF. X5R capacitors, and its siblings, are another matter entirely having dielectric characteristics that compete with the worst of electrolytics for Worst Capacitor Ever.

7th April 2006, 06:16 PM	#8
RetroAudio diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Everett, WA	I've been using NPO/COG caps in a variety of places with extremely good results,..at least to the ear.

7th April 2006, 06:29 PM	#9
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi Serenq, that's some difference -63db (x7r) reduced to -127db for the C0G. Thanks to all. Is the low distortion an indication that ppm/V is not an issue for C0G and NP0 when used in Audio locations. We all use ceramic in bypass duty.

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