US-based capacitor manufacturer Vishay Intertechnology Inc has introduced, what it says is the industry's first surface-mount multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCCs) designed to prevent surface arc-over. The devices provide maximum capacitance in high-voltage ratings and an increased capacitor

The MLCCs--called VJ0805, VJ1206, and VJ1210 HVArc Guard--feature a patent-pending internal structure that prevents surface arc-over at high voltages. This design allows for higher capacitances and facilitates the use of smaller case sizes in high-voltage products, allowing for device miniaturization and reducing component cost, the company says.

The three HVArc Guard capacitors feature capacitances ranging from 10 pF to 2700 pF in smaller case sizes than standard high-voltage MLCCs, and offer twice the standard voltage breakdown with voltage ratings from 1000 voltage direct current (VDC) to 1500 VDC. The devices eliminate the need for conformal coating and can replace wire leaded through-hole capacitors, Vishay states.

Applications include direct current-direct current converters, voltage multipliers for flyback converters and lighting ballast circuits. The devices can also be used in lighting systems and power supplies for medical, computer, and telecommunications applications.

Vishay manufactures discrete semiconductors, such as diodes, rectifiers, transistors, and optoelectronics and selected integrated circuits, as well as passive electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, sensors and transducers. These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment.

For further information, contact: Vishay Intertechnology Inc, 63 Lincoln Highway, PO Box 4004, Malvern, PA 19355-2143, USA; tel: +1-610-644-1300; fax: +1-610-296-0657; Email: info@vishay.com; Internet: www.vishay.com