Need clarification about capacitor lifetime.

[nenad88]

So I am getting some parts, caps in particular and when datasheet says lifetime is 4000 hours at 105c. Does that mean that that cap can survive 166 days at 105c and if I am using it at 50c it would be like double? Thanks

 

[Mooly]

It means 4000 hrs at 105C and maybe also at its maximum rated ripple current. Check the data sheet.

As both those values reduce the lifetime increases dramatically. At 50C and say 50% ripple current it could well be as high as 15 to 20 years. It's not a linear thing, more like exponential.

 

[Mooly]

Lol, it's all on the web in images.

 

[Mark Tillotson]

The law is basically exponential with temperature, like nearly all chemical and physical processes that are driven by heat.

 

[PRR]

Double per 10 degrees C.

 

[nenad88]

Perfect, thanks.

 

[Speedskater]

To learn more about heat and capacitors search: Arrhenius equation