ALUMINUMALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC
ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORSCAPACITORS®

Cautions for Using Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
Please read the specification before using ELNA products.
The following cautions should be observed when using our aluminum electrolytic capacitors to assure their maximum
stability and performance. When your application design conditions or operating conditions exceed the limit of theproduct specification, please contact us. If used under conditions beyond the limit of our specifications, it may cause
defects such as short circuit, open circuit, leakage, explosion or combustion.

Cautions for usage
1. DC electrolytic capacitors are polarized.
• If used with a wrong polarity, it creates an abnormal
current resulting in a short circuit or damage toitself. Use DC bipolar electrolytic capacitors for use
with uncertain or unknown polarity. DC capacitors
cannot be used in AC circuits.
2. Use within the rated voltage.
• If a voltage exceeding the rated voltage is applied,
it may cause characteristic deterioration or damage
due to the increased leakage current.
• When ripple current is loaded, make sure that thepeak value of the ripple voltage does not exceed
the rated voltage.
3. Using for power supply circuit.
• While aluminum electrolytic capacitors are operated
electrolyte liquid inside dries up and E.S.R.
(Equivalent Series Resistance) of the capacitor
increases. In case operated longer than rated life
time, the capacitance much decreases, tangent ofloss angle and E.S.R. much increases. Therefore
for some case the sum of bias direct voltage andthe peak of ripple voltage is over the rated voltageof the capacitor.
• For any type of circuit, in case the sum of bias
direct voltage and the peak of ripple voltage is over
the rated voltage of the capacitors or in case theminimum voltage is lower than 0 (zero) volt, thevoltage control for the capacitors shall be provided.
4. Do not use in a circuit which requires rapid
charging or discharging.
• If used in a circuit requiring rapid charging or discharging, it may cause characteristic deterioration
or damage to itself due to the heat generated inside
the capacitor. In such cases, contact us for ourrapid charging / discharging capacitors.
5. Use within the rated ripple current.
• If applied ripple current exceeds rated ripple current,
the life of the capacitor may be shortened, or in an
extreme case it gets destroyed due to its internal heat.
Use high-ripple type capacitors for such circuits.
6. Changes in characteristics due to operating
temperature.
• The characteristics of an electrolytic capacitor willchange with a change in the temperature. Suchchanges are temporary and the original characteristics will be restored at the original temperature (ifthe characteristics are not deteriorated by remaining
NOTE : ‌Design, Specifications are subject to change without notice.
It is recommended that you shall obtain technical specifications
from ELNA to ensure that the component is suitable for your use.

at a high temperature for a long time). If used at atemperature exceeding the guaranteed temperature
range, the capacitor may be damaged due to theincreased leakage current. Pay attention to thecapacitor temperature being affected by the ambient
temperature of the unit, the temperature inside theappliance, the heat radiated by another hot component
in the unit and the heat inside the capacitor itself due
to the ripple current.
(1)The electrostatic capacitance is normally shownas the value at 20°C-120Hz. It increases as thetemperature raises and decreases as it lowers.
(2)The tangent of loss angle (tanδ) is normallyshown as the value at 20°C-120Hz. It decreases
as the ambient temperature gets high andincreases as it gets low.
(3)The leakage current increases as the temperature gets high and decreases as it gets low.
7. Changes in the characteristics due to frequency.
• The characteristics of an electrolytic capacitor willchange according to the change in the operating
frequency.
(1)The electrostatic capacity is normally shown as
the value at 20°C-120Hz. It decreases as thefrequency increases.
(2)The tangent of loss angle (tanδ) is normallyshown as the value at 20°C-120Hz. It increases
as the frequency gets high.
(3)The impedance is normally shown as the value at
100kHz 20°C. It increases as the frequency lowers.
8. Aluminum electrolytic capacitor life.
• The life of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor terminates when it fails due to the deterioration in its
electronic characteristics. Temperature and theripple current since they especially affect the life.
See chart on page.
9. Changes in aluminum electrolytic capacitors
during storage.
• After storage for a long period, whether unused ofmounted on the appliance, the leakage current ofan aluminum electrolytic capacitor will increase.
This tendency is more prominent when the ambient
temperature is high. If a capacitor has been stored
for more than 2 years under normal temperature(shorter if high temperature) and it shows increased
leakage current, a treatment by voltage applicationis recommended. Addition of a protective circuit in
the design of the appliance is also recommended,considering the effect of the initial increased current.
CAT.No.2023/2024E

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ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTICCAPACITORS

10. Insulation between the capacitor case and thecathode terminal.
• The capacitor case and the cathode terminal areconnected through the electrolyte which has
uncertain resistance. If a complete insulation of thecase is necessary, add an insulator at assembly.
11. NC terminal (the supplemental terminal)(series RPK)
• Since NC terminal is not insulated. It should be
mounted at a position electronically independent
from all other parts of the circuit.
12. External sleeve• During a preheating or a hardening of mounting
adhesive may cause a sleeve cracked.
The capacitors are usually sleeved with poly vinyl
chloride or poly ethylene terephthalate for theindication purpose only. Please do not consider it
as an insulation.
13. Fumigation Process• When exporting electronic equipment abroad,fumigation process may be performed on woodenpackaging material with a halogen (compound) gas
such as methyl bromide. Exercise care as thishalogen gas may corrode capacitors. Also, use
caution to epidemic preventive agent as corrosive
component such as halogen may be contained.
14. Specific Operating Environments• Capacitors may corrode when stored or used in aplace filled with acidic toxic gases (such ashydrogen sulfide, sulfurous acid, nitrous acid,chlorine, bromine, methyl bromide, etc.)
If capacitors are used or stored in suchenvironments, please let us know.
15. Use at a high altitude• The use of capacitors at high altitudes such as onan airplane causes a large difference between theinternal pressure of the capacitors and the atmospheric pressure. However, there is no problem in
use under atmospheric pressure up to about analtitude of 10,000 meters. Please check theoperation of electronic equipment at the operating
environmental temperature because the temperature lowers with increased altitude.
If the condition is severe like space, please contactus.
16. Hole pitch adjustment of the PCB to thecapacitors.
• Set the hole pitch of the PCB to the lead pitch (the“F” distance in the catalog) of the capacitor. Be careful since a short circuit, a cut or an increase in theleakage current etc. may be caused by the stressgiven to the lead wire terminals due to the difference
between the hole pitch and the lead pitch.
NOTE : ‌Design, Specifications are subject to change without notice.
It is recommended that you shall obtain technical specifications
from ELNA to ensure that the component is suitable for your use.

ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS
17. Capacitors with pressure valves.
• A part of the capacitor case is made thin to havethe function as the pressure valve in order to prevent explosion due to the rise of inside pressure
when a reverse or excessive voltage is applied tothe capacitor. Once it has worked as a valve, thewhole capacitor needs to be replaced since thevalve will not restore.
• When you use a capacitor with pressure valve,provide certain space above the pressure valve as
below to prevent an interference when it works asa valve.
Diameter of the capacitor(mm)

18 or lessRequired space
above the valve (mm)2.0or more

18. Double-sided PCB’s• When you use electrolytic capacitors on a double
sided PCB, be careful not to have the circuit pattern
run under where the capacitor is mounted.
Otherwise it may cause a short circuit on the PCB
depending on the condition of mounting.
19. Regarding to connection of capacitors• Aluminum electrolytic capacitor has electrolyte liquid
so that the most portion of electric loss
characteristics came from E.S.R(Equivalent SeriesResistance) of electrolyte liquid. Therefore thecapacitor is an electronic devise which can flow highripple current in case the temperature increases andit decreases E.S.R.
In case connecting two capacitors or more, E.S.R. of
the capacitors is close to the resistance of the circuit.
Therefore in case current is unbalanced and some
capacitors has high ripple current, temperature
increase, it makes more high current and finally it isover the rated ripple current.
For parallel connection of capacitors the proper
design of electric circuit such as balancing of eachcapacitors resistance or control of total ripple current
shall be provided to avoid excess ripple current andvoltage.
• When two or more capacitors are arranged inseries, the voltage given to each capacitors shallbe kept below the rated voltage level, by also giving
consideration to the balance of the voltage
impressed on the capacitors. Further, partialpressure resistor which considers leakage current
shall be provided parallel to each condenser not tohave over-voltage impressed on.
Balance resistance are explained on p.106 of ourCatalog.

CAT.No.2023/2024E

ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC
ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORSCAPACITORS■ Cautions for usage

1. Cautions for mounting.
• Check the ratings (electrostatic capacitance andrated voltage) of the capacitor before mounting.
• Transient recovery voltage may be generated in thecapacitor due to dielectric absorption. If required,this voltage can be discharged with a resistor with avalue of about 1 kΩ.
• Check the polarity of the capacitor to the chassis.
• Do not drop the capacitor to the floor. Do not use thedropped capacitor.
• Do not deform the capacitor for mounting.
2. Do not apply excessive pressure to the capacitor, its terminals or lead wires.
• Make sure that the contact path of the capacitor
meets the hole pitch of the PCB before mounting.
• Do not set the automatic insertion machine to clinch
the capacitor lead wires too strong.
• Pay attention to the impact given by the component
receptacles of the automatic insertion/mounting
machines and the product checker, and from thecentering operation.
3. Soldering.
• Do not dip the capacitor into melted solder.
• The soldering conditions
About detail conditions are described in the catalog
or product specification.
• Do not flux other part than the terminals.
• If there is a direct contact between the sleeve of thecapacitor and the printed circuit pattern or a metal
part of another component such as a lead wire, it
may cause shrinkage of crack.
• When you use the capacitor with its sleeve touchingdirectly to the PCB, excessive solder temperature orexcessive soldering time may cause the sleeve toshrink or crack during the heat.
• If the application is for extended use, understand andmanage the soldering characteristics to avoid
abnormal current caused by a contact failure
between the capacitor and the PCB.
4. Handling after soldering• After soldering, do not tilt, push down or twist thecapacitor.
• After soldering, do not hold the capacitor as a handle
to carry the PCB.
• After soldering, do not hit the capacitor with anyobstacle. If PCB’s are piled up for storage, thecapacitor should not touch another PCB or component.

NOTE : ‌Design, Specifications are subject to change without notice.
It is recommended that you shall obtain technical specifications
from ELNA to ensure that the component is suitable for your use.

®

5. Cleaning after Soldering• Recommended cleaning method(1)cleaning solutions:(a) CLEANTHROUGH 710M, 750H, 750L(b) PINEALPHA ST-100S(2)Cleaning conditions:(a) The temperature of cleaning solution shall beless than 60°C.
(b) Use immersion or ultrasonic waves within twominutes.
(c) After cleaning, capacitors and PCB’s shallthoroughly be rinsed and dried with hot blast
for more than 10 minutes. The temperature ofsuch breeze should be less than the upper
category temperature.
(d) After cleaning, do not keep capacitors in cleaning solution atmosphere or airtight containers.
• During cleaning, control the cleaning solution against
contamination.
6. Fixing adhesives and coating materials.
• Do not use fixing adhesive or coating material
containing halogen-based solvent.
• Before applying the fixing adhesive or the coating
material, make sure that there is no remaining flux orstains between the PCB and the sealed part of thecapacitor.
• Before applying the fixing adhesive or the coating
material, make sure that the detergent etc. has driedup.
• Do not cover the whole surface of the sealed part(terminal side) of the capacitor with the fixing adhesive or the coating material.
• Observe the description in the catalog or the productspecifications concerning the thermal stiffening
conditions of the fixing adhesive or the coatingmaterial. (If there is no such description, contact us.)
When both discrete and SMT components are on
the same PCB, the fixing material for the SMT components may cause crack, tear or shrinkage on theexternal sleeve depending on the thermal stiffening
condition.
• Recommended fixing adhesives and coating materials
Fixing adhesives : Cemedine 1500, Diabond
DN83K, Bond G103
Coating materials : Taffy TF1159, HumiSeal
1B66NS, 1A27NS

CAT.No.2023/2024E

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ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTICCAPACITORS■ Other Cautions

1. Do not touch capacitor terminals with bare hands.
You may get electric shock or your hand may be burnt.
Discharge it with a 1 KΩ resistance before use if necessary.
2. Do not short the capacitor terminals with aconductor.
Do not spill conductive solution including acid or
alkaline solution on the capacitor.
3. Periodical Inspections should be established forthe capacitors in industrial appliances.
• The following items should be checked:(1)Appearance : Check if there is any open valve orleakage.
(2)Electronic performance : Check the leakage
current, the electrostatic capacitance, the tangentof loss angle and other items described in thecatalog or the product specifications.
4. Take the following measures in case of emergency.
• If you see gas coming out of the capacitor valve
when the set is in operation, turn off the powerswitch of the unit or unplug the power cord from theoutlet.
• Keep your face away from the capacitor pressure
valve, since the high temperature gas at over 100°C
bursts out when the valve works. If the gas gets into
your eyes or your mouth, wash your eyes or yourmouth. Do not ingest the capacitor electrolyte. If theelectrolyte gets on your skin, wash it out with soap.

ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS
5. Storing conditions.
• Avoid high temperature or high humidity whenstoring capacitors. Keep the storing temperature at
5℃ to 35℃ and the relative humidity not more than75%.
• The leakage current of an aluminum electrolytic
capacitor tends to increase when stored for a longtime. This tendency becomes more prominent if theambient temperature is high. The leakage current
will be decreased by voltage application. If necessary, treatment by voltage application should bemade on the capacitors which have been stored fora long period (more than 2 years after production).
• Do not store capacitors at a place where there is apossibility that they may get water, salt or oil spill.
• Do not store capacitors at a place where the air
contains dense hazardous gas (hydrogen sulfide,sulfurous acid, nitrous acid, chlorine, ammonia,etc.).
• Fumigation treatment with toxic gas covering thewhole wooden container frames as moth proofing
during shipment may leave residual toxic gas.
• Do not store capacitors at a place where it gets ultraviolet or radioactive rays.
6. Disposing of capacitors.
• Punch a hole or crush the capacitors (to preventexplosion) before incineration at approved facility.
• If they are not to be incinerated, bring them to aprofessional industrial waste disposal company.
7. Other notes.
• Please refer to the following literature for anything
not described in the specification or the catalog.
(Technical report of Japan Electronics and Information
Technology Industries Association, EIAJ RCR-2367“Guideline of notabilia for fixed aluminum electrolytic
capacitors for use in electronic equipment”)

NOTE : ‌Design, Specifications are subject to change without notice.
It is recommended that you shall obtain technical specifications
from ELNA to ensure that the component is suitable for your use.

CAT.No.2023/2024E