Effect of Electrolytic Capacitors on the Life of SMPS

Abstract

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors have higher failure rates than other components in Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS). Degraded Aluminum electrolytic capacitors seriously affect the performance and health of the SMPS, and accelerate the life of SMPS to end. In order to realize the Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) of SMPS, the relationship between Aluminum electrolytic capacitors and the life of SMPS should be established. Firstly, this paper found the key parameters affecting the health of SMPS by studying the various performance characteristics of Aluminum electrolytic capacitor, such as capacitance and equivalent series resistance (ESR). Secondly, this paper gave the relationships of ripple voltage and the key parameters of Aluminum electrolytic capacitors. That is, the ripple voltage increases with the capacitance decrease and the ripple voltage decreases with the ESR decrease. Finally, we have verified the results of simulation experiments by the specific physical experiments.