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RF current through a 0402 coupling capacitor

T

Thomas Magma

Jan 1, 1970
0
How much current can a RF coupling capacitor handle before it turns into a
LED? We have an application where we want to run 5 Watts into 50 ohms at 350
MHz through a 1000 pF 0402 coupling capacitor. It appears to be working fine
but we don't want any failures out in the field. Its tough to find specs on
this, does anyone know?

Thanks
 
J

John Larkin

Jan 1, 1970
0
How much current can a RF coupling capacitor handle before it turns into a
LED? We have an application where we want to run 5 Watts into 50 ohms at 350
MHz through a 1000 pF 0402 coupling capacitor. It appears to be working fine
but we don't want any failures out in the field. Its tough to find specs on
this, does anyone know?

Thanks

Take a look at the ATC (American Technical Ceramics) appnotes; they
are concerned with power handling in RF caps.

John
 
J

John Woodgate

Jan 1, 1970
0
I read in sci.electronics.design that Thomas Magma <[email protected]>
wrote (in said:
How much current can a RF coupling capacitor handle before it turns into a
LED? We have an application where we want to run 5 Watts into 50 ohms at 350
MHz through a 1000 pF 0402 coupling capacitor. It appears to be working fine
but we don't want any failures out in the field. Its tough to find specs on
this, does anyone know?
How hot does it get? The dielectric loss is probably specified as Q or
tan delta but you need to get the value for 350 MHz from the
manufacturer. Or ask them the direct question, 'Will it carry 320 mA at
350 MHz?'
 
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