Automobiles have specific environment beyond general electronic equipment such as high-temperature operating environment for ECUs (Electronic Control Units) , and large electric power electronic circuits. Murata has commercialized ceramic capacitors to fulfill automobile-specific conditions in support of more advanced features and electrification of automobiles.
Automobiles should be safer, more comfortable and environment-friendly. In order to fulfill such requirements, thousands of ceramic capacitors are used per car to realize more advanced features and electronic control. Although GCM series, high reliability chip monolithic ceramic capacitors for automobiles, are guaranteed to operate up to 125°C, some electronic control circuits in engine rooms, transmissions and gearboxes are exposed to over 125°C. Murata has accommodated such automobile-specific high temperature circuit operation by commercializing GCG series guaranteed up to 150°C and capable of being bonded to a ceramic substrate using conductive glue.
Larger electric power needs to be supplied to electronic circuits due to the increased number of electronic control equipment from more advanced features in automobiles, as well as their use in electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. KCM series, ceramic capacitors with metal terminals, responds to large electric power circuit needs, and is being made available for electronic circuits where only non-ceramic capacitors were formerly available. EVC series for large current applications is available for high power smoothing capacitor for electric cars' motor drive IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) circuit and high power resonant circuit capacitors for non-contact recharging equipment.
EVC series capitalizes on ceramic capacitor characteristics to reduce component heat generation and makes equipment significantly smaller and low profile compared with non-ceramic capacitor models.