Panasonic capacitors for USB-PD devices

Compact and efficient circuits for standardised DC power supplies

Panasonic is a supplier of many innovative electronic components. One of the most important product groups in this range are capacitors designed to build power circuits for DC devices - these include components that fit within the parameters of the latest USB standard.

The latest requirements of the USB-PD standard, i.e. USB Power Delivery, version 3.1, specify increased power supply parameters that can be supplied by cabling with USB C connectors (de facto international standard for devices requiring DC power). This raises the need for efficient yet compact power converters. To enable their construction and to ensure the long life of the target products, Panasonic provides a range of innovative capacitors that are characterised by small dimensions, durability, as well as broad characteristics. Below we substitute a cross-section of this range available directly from TME warehouses.

USB standard 3.1

For many years, consumers and manufacturers have struggled with the lack of international standards for DC power. While battery and rechargeable power sources were standardised - the use of mains power supplies and chargers proved cumbersome. Typically, each device required a separate AC/DC converter, with the correct parameters and connector format for the equipment: not only the correct size and shape, but also the polarity. It was only at the beginning of the 21st century, with the growing popularity of USB, that the situation began to stabilise. However, another problem arose, namely the limitations of the electrical characteristics written into the older USB standards. Fortunately, in recent years, through the efforts of international organisations, manufacturers and legislators, technology has been developed and implemented Power Delivery, which allows the widespread use of USB C connectors for applications where voltages and currents far exceeding those found in small electronic devices are required.
 

The full development of the abbreviation USB-PD is Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery. And although the standard originates from an interface designed for data transmission, this functionality is currently optional. Nevertheless, the implementation of a separate communication bus between the power supply and the receiver is assumed. Its purpose is voltage negotiation. Initially, the charger/converter delivers a standard 5V, but this value can be increased if the connected device sends the appropriate message. In this way, the USB allows the power supply to deliver voltages of 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, 28V, 36V or 48V and therefore more power with cables supporting currents of up to 5A (even 240W).

Such functionality means that devices can be charged more quickly, and using the standard USB C connector, it is possible to power all sorts of equipment, not only smartphones, but also laptops, docking stations and, in the longer term, small household appliances (e.g. hair dryers), power tools, soldering irons and so on. These possibilities opened up with the implementation of the USB 3.1 standard, which, together with the USB C format and at the end of 2024, became a mandatory standard in European Union countries.

The increased current and increased voltages found in the circuits of Power Delivery -compatible power supplies necessitate the use of components with broad specifications. This is especially the case with filter, protection and decoupling capacitors. This is where the solutions offered by Panasonic come to the rescue: components which, thanks to their innovative design, not only demonstrate excellent characteristics and service life, but also compact dimensions. The most important groups of these products are listed below. All of them the manufacturer recommends for USB circuit applications. 

Panasonic capacitors for USB-PD circuits

When discussing Panasonic's wide range of capacitors, it should first be noted that the following division is based on technology of their manufacture. In the supplier's portfolio, these products are divided into a number of strictly specialised series with specific properties. When looking for a solution for a specific project, it would be best to consult our catalogue, where all the components have been parameterised in detail, so that you can find products that precisely match the requirements of the circuit.

OS-CON family

The OS-CON product family are aluminium and polymer capacitors. They are characterised by their low equivalent series resistance, i.e. the so-called "series resistance". Low ESR, as well as resistance to high ripple currents. Their unquestionable advantage is also their long life (up to 20,000h) and high thermal performance, e.g. the possibility of stable operation at temperatures from 55°C to 125°C. Elements of this type are available in SMD and THT (surface mount, through-hole) housings. From the TME catalogue, they can be purchased in capacitances from 3.3µF to 2.7mF, for voltages up to 100V DC**, and therefore with more than double the safety margin with respect to the requirements of USB 3.1. Details of the technology, its strengths and applications in power supplies (using LED drivers as an example) are presented in the video below.
   

Compact POSCAP capacitors