Investigations on Low Inductance Capacitor for Pulsed Power Applications

Uday Kommajoshyula, Sumit Sharma, Rachana Thatipamula, Aman

Kumar Benvansi, Dr. Shruti Nema, Dr. RK Sharma, Mr. Manohar Gurav

Electrical Department, LTCOE Navi Mumbai, 400709

udayk140203@gmail.com, sumitsharmar02@gmail.com, rachnasada13@gmail.com ,
amankumarbenvansi@gmail.com

Abstract:There are many different types of capacitors that
are available today which are produced and designed for
mounting on circuit boards or other electronic equipment
and are referred to as electrolytic, or DC film capacitors.
Larger capacitors are used in applications like AC drives,
and power conditioning equipment. The larger higher
voltage capacitors for 60 Hz circuits have traditionally been
manufactured with paper or Polypropylene or some
combination thereof with or without a liquid impregnant.
Progress has been made in all these fields over the past
decade. This research paper is focused on defining
capacitors with small volume and with high energy storage
for pulsed power applications. Capacitors for use in these
applications use thin aluminium foil electrodes to conduct
The film foil construction is mainly used for capacitors
current through the capacitors.
1. INTRODUCTION
High voltage pulsed power is the science and
technology of accumulating energy over a relatively
long period of time. This energy is released instantly
in the form of pulse current or voltage thus increasing
the instantaneous power.
Pulse power generator is a combined system of HV
energy storage module switches (spark gaps /
trigatrons) to transfer the energy at appropriate time
and overall low impedance electrical connections to
the electrical dumps (electrical load).
This system is highly used in the field of initiator and
detonators for high energy material.
It is further crucial for compact, reliable and long-life
requirements. One such application is
MPW(Metalized Polypropylene Film Capacitor) using
HVPPS(High voltage pulse power system) .
MPW is a technology that generally utilises a film
capacitor which is an important element of the HVPPS
having specific demands to generate a pulse of 100μs to
ms with 100 seconds of KA current and long life greater
than 10 shots. A single can of all film capacitors having
5
energy of 15KJ is designed and developed for such an
application MPW.
The “Simulation and development of low inductance
capacitance for pulsed power applications” project
represents a significant endeavour aimed at the
development and validation of low inductance
capacitance equipment which will be efficient and
reliable for pulsed power applications. We are using film
foil as a dielectric material for making capacitors.In the
case of film and foil types, the electrode is not applied as
for the metallized capacitors, but is wound with the
dielectric as a metal foil. Due to their lower series
resistance, the components produced this way have
excellent pulse and current carrying capability, as well as
a very high insulation resistance.
with smaller capacitance value. The advantage of this
construction principle is the easy contactability of the
metal foil electrodes and the good pulse strength. To
avoid breakdowns caused by weak spots in the
dielectric, the insulating film chosen is always thicker
than theoretically required by the values which are
determined from the specific breakdown strength of
the material. Capacitance is a particular problem with
data or signal cables. When a voltage signal is
transmitted through a twisted pair or coaxial type
cable, a charge builds up across the insulation between
the conductors. The charge that builds up in the cable
over a period of time is due to the inherent
capacitance. This results in a delay causing
interference in the signal transmission. Digital data
pulses which are square in shape are transformed to
form a shape.Similar to “saw teeth” due to the ramp up
and discharge, this may result in the circuitry failing to
recognise the digital pulses.
II Literature Survey
This Project aims to provide a comprehensive
overview of low inductance capacitors and their
significance in pulse power applications.
Capacitors are fundamental components in
electrical circuits, storing and releasing energy in
the form of electric charge. In high-frequency and
rapid discharge scenarios, the inductance of
capacitors becomes a critical parameter, as it can
significantly affect the performance and efficiency
of the system. This paper delves into the various
aspects of low inductance capacitors, including
surface/volume resistivity, the lower the leakage
current and the less conductive the material
is(1x10^18)
Maximum operating temperature( C)- 105
O

their design principles, material selection, and Energy density/D(J/cm )- The amount of energy in
3

applications in pulse power systems. a system per unit volume is called energy
density(Intrinsic-4.1,practical-1 to 1.5)
Capacitors are essential energy storage devices D = ½ CV 2

widely employed in various electronic applications, To increase energy density (D):-

including pulse power systems. In high-speed 1.decrease d
applications, the inherent inductance of capacitors 2.increase A
can impede rapid energy release, leading to reduced 3.increase V
system efficiency and performance. Low 4.increase K
inductance capacitors address this concern, offering
improved discharge characteristics and enhanced IV Construction
system reliability.One of the primary factors
influencing capacitor inductance is the electrode
The construction of the capacitor is done by the
configuration.
following manufacturing process:
1.Film stretching and metallization — To increase
The choice of dielectric material significantly
the capacitance value of the capacitor, the
affects the inductance of capacitors. Material
polypropylene film is stretched using a special
selection for capacitor electrodes is crucial in
extrusion process of bi-axial stretching in
minimising inductance. Distributed capacitance
longitudinal and transverse directions, as thin as
techniques involve strategically placing capacitive
technically possible and as allowed by the desired
elements within the circuit to counteract
breakdown voltage.The thickness of these films can
inductance.Effective shielding and grounding
be as little as 0.6 μm. In a suitable evaporation
strategies play a vital role in mitigating parasitic
system and under high vacuum conditions (about
inductance.Low inductance capacitors find
1015 to 1019 molecules of air per cubic metre) the
extensive use in pulsed power systems, where rapid
polypropylene film is metallized with aluminium or
energy discharge is paramount.In particle
zinc. It is then wound onto a so-called "mother roll"
accelerators and other high-energy physics
with a width of about 1 metre.
experiments, low inductance capacitors are
2.Film slitting — Next, the mother rolls are split
indispensable for achieving precise control of
into small strips of polypropylene film in the
energy release.
required width according to the size of the
This Project underscores the critical role of low
capacitors being manufactured.
inductance capacitors in pulse power applications.
3.Winding — Two films are rolled together into a
By examining design principles, inductance
cylindrical winding. The two metallized films that
reduction techniques, and real-world applications,
make up a capacitor are wound slightly offset from
this paper provides a comprehensive overview for
each other, so that by the arrangement of the
engineers, researchers, and enthusiasts working in
electrodes one edge of the metallization on each
fields reliant on high-speed energy discharge
end of the winding extends out laterally.
4.Flattening — The winding is usually flattened
into an oval shape by applying mechanical
III Polypropylene film/PP film Properties- pressure. Because the cost of a printed circuit
board is calculated per square millimetre, a smaller
Dielectric constant(K) - It is a term that determines capacitor footprint reduces the overall cost of the
how much charge can be stored and transferred in circuit.
a capacitor.It is related to the number of dipoles 5.Application of metallic contact layer
available in a given geometry(2.2). ("schoopage") — The projecting end electrodes are
Dielectric strength(V/μm) - It is the maximum covered with a liquefied contact metal such as (tin,
electric field which a capacitor can endure without zinc or aluminium), which is sprayed with
breaking down(500). compressed air on both lateral ends of the winding.
Dissipation factor/DF(%) - It is the reciprocal of This metallizing process is named schoopage after
the ratio between the insulating material’s Swiss engineer Max Schoop, who invented a
capacitive reactance to its resistance(Equivalent combustion spray application for tin and lead.
series resistance or ESR) at a specified 6.Healing — The windings which are now
frequency(<0.1). electrically connected by the schoopage which
Volume resistivity(Ohm/cm)-Volume resistivity is have to be "healed". This is done by applying a
the resistance to leakage current through the body precisely calibrated voltage across the electrodes
of an insulating material. The higher the
of the winding so that any existing defects will be
"burned away" .
7.Impregnation — For increased protection of the
capacitor against environmental influences,
especially moisture, the winding is impregnated
with an insulating fluid, such as silicone oil.
8.Attachment of terminals — The terminals of the
capacitor are soldered or welded on the end metal
contact layers of the schoopage.
9.Electrical final test — All capacitors (100%)
should be tested for the most important electrical
parameters, capacitance (C), dissipation factor (tan
δ) and impedance (Z).
V Working
The working principle of a capacitor is based on
the fundamental principles of electrostatics and
energy storage in an electric field. A capacitor
consists of two conductive plates separated by an
insulating material called a dielectric. Here's a
step-by-step explanation of the working principle
of a capacitor:
1. Basic Structure:
A capacitor has two conductive plates made of
metal, often parallel to each other. These plates can
be made of materials like aluminium, tantalum, or
other conductive metals.
2. Dielectric Material:
The space between the two plates is filled with a
dielectric material. The dielectric serves to insulate
the plates, preventing direct electrical contact
while allowing the establishment of an electric
field between them.
The energy required to separate the charges against
the potential difference is stored in the electric
field between the plates. This stored energy is in
the form of electrical potential energy.
7. Capacitance:
The ability of a capacitor to store charge and
energy is quantified by its capacitance (C),
measured in farads (F). The capacitance depends
on factors such as the area of the plates, the
distance between them, and the properties of the
dielectric material.
8. Discharging the Capacitor:
When the capacitor is connected to a circuit, it
discharges. The stored energy is released, and the
electric charges on the plates neutralise each other.
The rate of discharge is determined by the circuit's
resistance and the capacitance of the capacitor.
VI SIMULATION:
Simulation Tools: Employ software for electrical
analysis and modelling to verify the performance of
the pulse power circuit.
The specific requirements may vary depending on
the exact specifications and parameters of your
pulse power application. In our project we are
currently using FEMM software for the simulation
of the film foil capacitor.

3. Charging the Capacitor:

To charge the capacitor, it is connected to a
voltage source (such as a battery or power supply).
When a voltage is applied across the two plates, an Figure 1 construction diagram in simulation
electric field is created in the region between them.

4. Electron Movement:
Electrons within the metal plate experience a force
due to the electric field. Electrons on one plate are
repelled, moving away from the field source, while
electrons on the other plate are attracted, moving
toward the field source.

5. Charge Accumulation: Figure 2 simulation of 50nf capacitor

As a result, one plate accumulates a negative
charge, and the other accumulates an equal and
opposite positive charge. The separation of charges
creates an electric potential difference (voltage)
between the two plates.

6. Stored Energy:
 Tuning,Motor Run,Snubbing,Power film
Caps,Voltage Divider,Oscillator Tuning,Band Stop
filter,Band-Pass Filter,EMI/RFI
Suppression,Temperature Compensating,Coupling
or Blocking,Decoupling or
Bypassing,Smoothing,Noise Filtering, Voltage
Doubling , Lighting Ballast, Power Factor
Correction (PFC), Motor Control

VIII CONCLUSION

In this project we did the investigation on low

inductance capacitance for pulsed power
applications. We would gain a deep understanding
of the basic principles, components, and
functioning of capacitors, which are crucial in the
field of electrical engineering. Further we would
Figure 3 work on the development of working model and
Figure 4 after simulation of 150nf capacitor simulation.The designing phase will allow us to
conceptualise, plan and create engineering
solutions and become adept at selecting materials
and considering safety factors.
The testing phase will allow us to gain hands-on
experience with the real-world equipment and
testing procedures that are followed and learn how
VII APPLICATION OF POLYPROPYLENE to set up experiment’s, collect data, and interpret
FILM FOIL CAPACITORS: results. Working on capacitor’s design and testing
challenges we would be able to think critically and
Polypropylene Film foil capacitors are used for solve complex engineering problems and learn to
applications such as : Timing,Sample-and- troubleshoot issues and optimise designs
Hold,AC/DCconverter, Peak-Voltage .
Detector,TV'S-Correction,TV Flyback IX REFERENCES