Application Notes

For technical support and further information visit http://power.ti.com

PTH03060W & PTH05060W

Capacitor Recommendations for

the PTH03060 &

PTH05060 Series of Power Modules

Input Capacitor

The recommended input capacitor(s) is determined by

the 330 µF minimum capacitance and 500 mArms mini-

mum ripple current rating.

Ripple current, less than 150 m

Ω equivalent series resis-

tance (ESR), and temperature are the major considerations

when selecting input capacitors. Unlike polymer tantalum,

regular tantalum capacitors have a recommended mini-

mum voltage rating of 2

× (maximum DC voltage + AC

ripple). This is standard practice to ensure reliability.

For improved ripple reduction on the input bus, ceramic

capacitors [1] may used to compliment electrolytic types

to achieve the minimum required capacitance.

Output Capacitors (Optional)

For applications with load transients (sudden changes in

load current), regulator response will benefit from an

external output capacitance. The recommended output

capacitance of 330 µF will allow the module to meet

its transient response specification (see product data sheet).

For most applications, a high quality computer-grade

aluminum electrolytic capacitor is adequate. These capaci-

tors provide decoupling over the frequency range, 2 kHz

to 150 kHz, and are suitable for ambient temperatures

above 0 °C. For operation below 0 °C tantalum, ceramic

or Os-Con type capacitors are recommended. When using

one or more non-ceramic capacitors, the calculated equiva-

lent ESR should be no lower than 4 m

Ω (7 mΩ using the

manufacturer’s maximum ESR for a single capacitor). A

list of preferred low-ESR type capacitors are identified

in Table 2-1.

Ceramic Capacitors

Above 150 kHz the performance of aluminum electrolytic

capacitors is less effective. Multilayer ceramic capacitors

have very low ESR and a resonant frequency higher than

the bandwidth of the regulator. They can be used to reduce

the reflected ripple current at the input as well as improve

the transient response of the output. When used on the

output their combined ESR is not critical as long as the

total value of ceramic capacitance does not exceed 300 µF.

Also, to prevent the formation of local resonances, do not

place more than five identical ceramic capacitors in par-

allel with values of 10 µF or greater.

Tantalum Capacitors

Tantalum type capacitors can be used at both the input

and output, and are recommended for applications where

the ambient operating temperature can be less than 0 °C.

The AVX TPS, Sprague 593D/594/595 and Kemet T495/

T510 capacitor series are suggested over many other

tantalum types due to their higher rated surge, power

dissipation, and ripple current capability. As a caution

many general purpose tantalum capacitors have consid-

erably higher ESR, reduced power dissipation and lower

ripple current capability. These capacitors are also less

reliable as they have lower power dissipation and surge

current ratings. Tantalum capacitors that do not have a

stated ESR or surge current rating are not recommended

for power applications.

When specifying Os-Con and polymer tantalum capacitors

for the output, the minimum ESR limit will be encoun-

tered well before the maximum capacitance value is

reached.

Capacitor Table

Table 2-1 identifies the characteristics of capacitors from a

number of vendors with acceptable ESR and ripple current

(rms) ratings. The recommended number of capacitors

required at both the input and output buses is identified

for each capacitor type.

This is not an extensive capacitor list. Capacitors from other

vendors are available with comparable specifications. Those

listed are for guidance. The RMS ripple current rating and

ESR (at 100 kHz) are critical parameters necessary to insure

both optimum regulator performance and long capacitor life.

Designing for Very Fast Load Transients

The transient response of the DC/DC converter has been

characterized using a load transient with a di/dt of 1 A/µs.

The typical voltage deviation for this load transient is

given in the data sheet specification table using the

optional value of output capacitance. As the di/dt of a

transient is increased, the response of a converter’s regu-

lation circuit ultimately depends on its output capacitor

decoupling network. This is an inherent limitation with

any DC/DC converter once the speed of the transient

exceeds its bandwidth capability. If the target application

specifies a higher di/dt or lower voltage deviation, the

requirement can only be met with additional output

capacitor decoupling. In these cases special attention

must be paid to the type, value and ESR of the capacitors

selected.

If the transient performance requirements exceed that

specified in the data sheet, or the total amount of load

capacitance is above 3,000 µF, the selection of output

capacitors becomes more important. For further guidance

consult the separate application note, “Selecting Output

Capacitors for PTH Products in High-Performance Applica-

tions.”