Having trouble choosing film capacitors? CLARA tool helps you make the right choice!
Choosing the right film capacitor is easy in just a few steps
CLARA is designed to provide an intuitive, search-oriented simulation tool for TDK and EPCOS film capacitor selection. Circuit designers can easily find products that fit their application conditions with just a few clicks of the mouse. CLARA can not only compare the specifications and performance of different products, but also easily simulate the application of products under specific working conditions. In addition, CLARA provides the function of recording personal notes while searching, and the search results contain links that directly point to the TDK product center, making it convenient for users to request samples or inquire about products.
Note:
*Life expectancy is an estimate. If any of the conditions given are beyond the rated rating of the product or if reliability/lifetime values are not given in the respective product datasheet, then the life expectancy is not given in the tool.
Use of CLARA is subject to the terms and conditions of the License Agreement*.
When you use CLARA, functional cookies necessary for the program to run will be stored on your computer, tablet, smartphone and other devices. For more details, please see "Use of Cookies" * .
Long press the QR code to enter the tool directly
Application Overview
Tool to help circuit designers choose the right film capacitor
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Powerful search function to support capacitor parameter search
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Powerful simulation capabilities based on given application conditions
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Advanced search capabilities combining parametric search and application simulation
Display safety margins and constraints
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Calculates and displays the maximum allowable temperature at the target operating voltage
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Calculates and displays the maximum allowable voltage at the target operating temperature
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It is convenient for designers to make flexible adjustments to obtain more convenience
Product Features
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Download ESR curves, IRMS vs. frequency curves, impedance, 3D STEP models, and SPICE models
product comparison
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Compare up to 4 parts simultaneously
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Features Comparison
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Comparison through simulated application conditions
Discover CLARA
Let our engineers show you how to use this tool. Click on the video below to watch.
Search and Simulate
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Parameter search: Search product models by film capacitor parameters
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View product models and product features, and download useful information: STEP files, SPICE models, curves
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Compare the features of different models and add personal comments
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Simulate application conditions and simulate up to 4 capacitor models simultaneously
Precise search techniques
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Add constraints such as ranges, tolerances, and dimensions
simulation
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Enter application conditions for the 4 selected product models
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In this example, two load conditions are entered in the task configuration file. A maximum of five load conditions can be entered.
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IRMS or VRMS harmonics
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Save conditions for later use
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Indicate input application parameters, results and safety factors according to different load conditions
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Example of waveforms corresponding to application parameters
Simulate by product model
There are two options:
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Method 1
In simple search mode, enter the product model (no need for the full model number) and select the target model from the list
Then select the application and service life simulation
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Method 2
Select application and service life simulation directly from the CLARA homepage
Enter the product model (at least 11 digits) and select the target model from the list.
Restore application conditions from a previously saved file
Advanced search based on application parameters
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Simple search function searches based on capacitor parameters rather than application parameters
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Advanced search by application parameter and optionally combined with capacitance parameter
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Search criteria: 1. Position in circuit, 2. External certification, 3. Capacitance, 4. Application, 5. Other
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Run automatic simulations for models that may qualify
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Simple search
ask
What happens if I don't fill out the complete range, i.e. I don't enter both the "From" and "To" values?
answer
The search results will display capacitors of the target value and capacitors of the next higher value with the same or higher input parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, etc.
ask
I searched for the two reference standards AEC Q-200D for automotive electronic components and EMI Suppression IEC 60384-14. Why do the results show non-automotive product lines?
answer
Because the condition checkbox for the reference standard is OR, results that meet the AEC Q-200D or IEC 60384-14 standards will be displayed at the same time. If you want to search for X or Y capacitors that meet the AEC Q-200D standard, select the required grade in "External Approval" and click the AEC Q-200D checkbox in "Reference Standard".
ask
I searched for a capacitor that can operate at 105 °C and 470 V DC using Simple Search. However, when I later simulated, I found that the selected capacitor cannot operate at 105 °C and 470 V DC. What is the reason for this unusable result?
answer
"Simple Search" only supports searching by capacitor parameters, not application parameters. In this case, if you enter 105 °C and 470 V DC, the results are all capacitors with a maximum operating temperature ≥ 105 °C and a rated voltage ≥ 470 V DC (note: the rated voltage is usually given at 85 °C, and the voltage derating must be considered at 105 °C).
In this case, we recommend that you use the "Advance Search Application Based" module which supports searching both application parameters and certain capacitor parameters.
Application Simulator
ask
Why doesn't the app simulator run after I enter the full part number?
answer
First, search, even if you know the full part number you still need to click Search first. Then in the list of part numbers, check the box to the left of the part number you want and click Confirm. This step selects the component for simulation. You can repeat this process with different part numbers, up to a maximum of four components. Once you have made your selections, click Simulate to open the simulation module.
ask
Why don't I get a lifespan result after my simulation?
answer
It may be that the input usage conditions are outside the given specifications, or the selected product is an EMI suppression capacitor. Since EMI suppression capacitors are often exposed to unexpected network interference, the simulated service life is usually not applicable, so we do not provide service life simulation for EMI suppression capacitors.
ask
What does “Confidence Level” mean?
answer
This is a reliability function of the expected service life. For example, if the expected service life of a certain type of component is 100,000 hours, a 95% confidence level means that after 100,000 hours, at least 95% of the components will still function properly under the given conditions. For more information, please refer to the Data Book - General Information - Quality. *
ask
What happens when there are no input parameters during simulation?
answer
This parameter is assumed to be zero during simulation.
ask
What exactly do the input application parameters mean?
answer
Clicking the information button displays a detailed description of the meaning of each parameter to aid understanding. For more information on waveform types and their conversion into input parameters, refer to the help file.
ask
If I input both the operating AC sinusoidal voltage (VRMS) and the peak-to-peak voltage and they conflict, which one will be used when performing a simulation or thermal simulation?
answer
The tool selects the worst case scenario to simulate the voltage stress. The harmonic spectrum needs to be input when performing thermal simulation; otherwise the tool assumes that there are no thermal stresses above the input ambient temperature.
ask
What if I enter an operating condition that is far outside the limits? (e.g. 1000 kV or 1000°C or -400°C)
answer
Product models have typical operating conditions, so inaccurate input values can lead to unreliable or even invalid simulation results. If short-term overvoltage or overheating occurs, it is recommended that you check the data sheet and/or contact your sales channel to determine whether special customization is possible.
ask
If the total ripple current of any operating condition exceeds a certain limit, the simulated self-temperature rise will always exceed the limit. In this case, why does lowering the ambient temperature (°C) not change the simulation results?
answer
The CLARA tool warns you when the self-temperature rise is somehow above a certain level. Excessive self-temperature rise will not necessarily damage the component if the ambient temperature is low enough and there are no other parameter deratings that would drive the self-temperature rise higher during the capacitor's lifetime.
In addition, the self-temperature rise evaluation is based on our laboratory tests, including natural cooling and single capacitor tests; other heat sources that may affect different Rth are not considered. We strongly recommend that you conduct actual application tests to monitor key parameters (temperature, current, voltage, waveform) in all cases, especially those critical conditions.
ask
What does "overclocking" mean?
answer
Each capacitor is rated for a specific operating frequency range. We assume that the winding component provides a uniform current distribution within this frequency range and calculate the corresponding power losses and dissipation based on this. CLARA gives a simple trend line based on the last two values of the frequency parameter curve. If you want to know what happens when the frequency in the actual application exceeds the rated frequency range of the component: a detailed evaluation can be performed based on the specific boundary conditions of the PCB through FEA simulations and real tests on heat losses and heat dissipation.
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