Like ceramic surface mount capacitors, ceramic through-hole (leaded) capacitors are formulated ceramic dielectric materials which have been cast into thin layers, interspersed with metal electrodes alternately exposed on opposite edges of the laminate. The entire structure is then fired at a high temperature to produce a monolithic block that provides high capacitance values in a small physical volume. After firing, conductive terminations are applied to opposite ends of the chip to make contact with the exposed electrodes. Termination materials and methods vary depending on the intended use. The major difference between through-hole and surface mount capacitors is that through-hole capacitors can also be molded and conformally coated with axial and radial leads.
Temperature Characteristics
Ceramic dielectric materials can be formulated with a wide range of characteristics. The EIA standard for ceramic dielectric capacitors (RS-198) divides ceramic dielectrics into the following classes:
Class I (C0G): Temperature compensating capacitors, suitable for resonant circuit application or other applications where high Q and stability of capacitance characteristics are required. Class I capacitors have predictable temperature coefficients and are not effected by voltage, frequency or time. They are made from materials which are not ferro-electric, yielding superior stability but low volumetric efficiency. Class I capacitors are the most stable type available, but have the lowest volumetric efficiency.
Class II (X7R): Stable capacitors, suitable for bypass or coupling applications or frequency discriminating circuits where Q and stability of capacitance characteristics are not of major importance. Class II capacitors have temperature characteristics of ± 15% or less. They are made from materials which are ferro-electric, yielding higher volumetric efficiency but less stability. Class II capacitors are affected by temperature, voltage, frequency and time.
Class III (Z5U): General purpose capacitors, suitable for by-pass coupling or other applications in which dielectric losses, high insulation resistance and stability of capacitance characteristics are of little or no importance. Class III capacitors are similar to Class II capacitors except for temperature characteristics, which are greater than ± 15%. Class III capacitors have the highest volumetric efficiency and poorest stability of any type.