Ceramic Capacitor is the most widely used capacitor and is available in different compositions and types suitable for various applications and properties. You can see it almost in every PCB.  They are also known as Disc Capacitors.

Composition of Ceramic Capacitor

As the name suggests, This capacitor uses ceramic as the dielectric material. They are manufactured by using a ceramic or porcelain disc coated on its both faces by a thin layer of Silver. Ceramics are one of the first materials used for manufacturing capacitors.

Composition of Ceramic Capacitor

It is the arrangement and property of the ceramic substance which characterize the functional aspects of these capacitors.

Types of Ceramic Capacitor

It is broadly classified into three basic classes. The lower is the type of class, the superior it is in terms of performance. These three classes are:

Class I Ceramic Type Capacitor

This class of Ceramic capacitors provide more stability in capacitance value w.r.t. change in temperature, voltage and frequency. Their accuracy is quite high.

Class II Ceramic Type Capacitor

This type of Ceramic capacitor provide more efficiency in terms of size. They have high capacitance per volume.They are best suitable for use as decoupling capacitor or as buffer.

Class III Ceramic Type Capacitor

They are almost same as Class II ceramic capacitors. However, They lack in accuracy and are not stable as Class II in terms of change in temperature.

Ceramic capacitor

Properties of Ceramic Capacitor

The various properties of Ceramic capacitors are as follows :

Dielectric Constant (K) of Ceramic Capacitor

They possess a high dielectric constant (K). This property allows them to provide a high capacitance value even in its small sizes.

Effect on Capacitance with Change in Temperature

The capacitance of these capacitors changes non linearly with change in temperature. For this reason, they are best suitable for use as Decoupling capacitor or Bypass capacitors.

Non Polarization in Ceramic Capacitor

They are non polarized. That means that there is no polarity issue with this type of capacitors. They can be connected to the circuit from any side.

Low Cost

Their manufacturing cost is very low.

Various Sizes

They are available in small sizes. It is therefore, space for this in a circuit is not a matter of concern.

Reliability

They are very reliable and possess high tolerance value. The chances of damage is also less.

Capacitance Range of Ceramic Capacitor

They are available in various capacitance value ranging from a few pF to 1/2 µF.

Voltage Rating of Ceramic Capacitor

Voltage Rating of Ceramic Capacitor

They are available in variable voltage ratings. They have normally a low voltage rating. However, MLCC ceramic capacitors have high voltage rating than Electrolytic capacitors.

Applications of Ceramic Capacitor

These capacitors can be used in multiple applications such as: –

  • Resonant circuit in transmitter stations
  • High voltage laser power supplies
  • High density PCBs
  • Minimizing RF noise
  • Power circuit breakers
  • Induction furnaces
Also Read: - 
How to Read Capacitor Color Marking Values - Calculation and Identification Codes
Different Type of Capacitors in Market with Description - Part I
Different Capacitor Types in Market with Description - Part II
Electrolytic Capacitor - Properties, Uses, Capacitance Value and Polarity
Capacitor Number Marking - How to Decode with Example