Wurth vs Nichicon Capacitors regarding Life (twice the life @ half the cost?) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: MrCreosote
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 08:39:44 pm
content: 100uf 25v caps: Wurth 860240474005 offers almost 2x the 105C life (8000 vs 5000 hrs) of the Nichicon UPV1E101MGD1TD at half the cost ($0.34 vs 0.71) at DigikeyI'm looking for the longest lasting electrolytic in a low temp application (Belkin KVM switch).Given the low price, should I expect the Wurth to have significantly greater life?https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/aluminum-electrolytic-capacitors/58?s=N4IgjCBcoGwJxVAYygMwIYBsDOBTANCAPZQDaIALGGABxwDsIAuoQA4AuUIAyuwE4BLAHYBzEAF9CAVgAMNRCBSQMOAsTLgwAZnoVmbTpB79hYySHoAmKQqUq8hEpHKWtMKVoiFLNGNT0sIBxcvIKiEt4y9AjQimhYDurOINYABABq%2BkGGIACqQgLsAPKoALK46NgArny4ESAAtJa2UPxVak7kNkzmDTaxdgkdGs095s3JYDIyVaip1gBuqUjorOhIhUR8qXzoACYCWFkwCgJ7XA1TXtlcIITsAJ6sdUaVKOLiQA

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 09:10:38 pm
content: There's nothing wrong with Wurth and nothing magical about Nichicon. I think both are likely to last an eternity in your application provided the ripple current and voltage are low enough. Comparing specifications between manufacturers is tricky and I wouldn't read too much into that. I would use whichever physically fit the best, was most readily available and cost the least--in that order.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 09:48:10 pm
content: Pro tip, never take the price of a Würth component from Digikey, as it often times will be orders of magnitude more than what you actually pay for the part if you buy directly from them. Maybe not for this part. And the same can be true for other suppliers.

author: MrCreosote
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2023, 10:25:21 pm
content: Thanks for the replies,The caps in question are identical spec and size wise.I was surprised that 10% had significantly shorter lives (perhaps once they degrade beyond the 10%, they are considered "failed.)I'll get some Wurth. Never had any.Thanks

author: Daixiwen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 07:15:31 am
content: I'd advise buying from Wurth directly too. They are cheap, deliver quickly and are very friendly.They also sell some SMD components kits with a lifetime free refill , which is great for prototyping.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2023, 07:18:06 am
content: Quote from: MrCreosote on September 19, 2023, 08:39:44 pmBoth of those prices have nothing to do with their real cost at quantity which is at least 10 times less. And it could easily be that Digikey buys Nichicon for less but puts more markup.

author: huababua
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 21, 2023, 08:52:28 am
content: Würth parts are generally okay. I also made the experiance that it is much cheapter to buy direct.One thing which I dont really like about them; They dont manufacture inductors and capacitors themselfs - they just buy them at some cheap chinese manufacturers and rebrand them.For inductors I know that coilcraft and bourns are doing their own - development and manufacturing. Coilcraft is also building the machines by themselfes.

author: peter-h
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2023, 10:47:45 am
content: Isn't Wurth made in china, with the use of a German name done just to impress and to obtain a much higher price?I see Wurth integrated-magnetics RJ45s which are 5x the price of certain chinese ones but look exactly the same, and work exactly the same.