Patent ID: 8125762

Claim:
A multilayer ceramic capacitor component comprising: a ceramic capacitor body having opposite ends and comprised of a plurality of electrode layers and dielectric layers; first and second external terminals attached to the ceramic capacitor body; a plurality of internal active electrodes within the ceramic capacitor body configured in an alternating manner such that a first of the plurality of internal active electrodes extends from one end of the ceramic capacitor body inwardly and a next internal active electrode extends from an opposite end of the ceramic capacitor body inwardly; a plurality of internal electrode side shields within the ceramic capacitor body configured to provide resistance to arc-over; wherein each of the internal active electrodes are disposed between corresponding internal electrode side shields and separated from the corresponding internal electrode side shields by a gap; wherein each of the internal active electrodes have a first portion with a first width proximate the internal electrode side shields and a second portion with a second width greater than the first width, providing increased overlap area and allowing for higher capacitance without decreasing separation between the internal active electrodes.