AVX Corporation has developed a new series of enhanced MLC capacitors specifically designed for general ESD protection. The small footprint makes them ideal for high density electronic devices like automotive modules, which often use ESD caps on nearly every pin.

The ESD-Safe™ series is an enhanced MLC capacitor developed and designed specifically to be used in applications which are sensitive to ESD (Electro Static Discharge) events.

ESD-Safe™ capacitors are commonly utilized to protect general-purpose I/O lines from ESD damage. These devices will take the ESD charge and integrate it down to a lower level that the IC can handle. Capacitance selection is a trade off. Large capacitance values provide better ESD protection, however a larger capacitance could corrupt the data stream.

ESD-Safe™ X7R Series capacitors are available in standard 0603, 0805 and 1206 case sizes. The AECQ200-qualified chips are available in 25, 50 and 100V, feature a +/-15% temperature coefficient. The product is available in a wide capacitance range from 4.7nF up to 2.2µF.

Further key features of the ESD-Safe™ series are the operating temperature range of Class II ceramic -55 to +125°C , ΔC/C0 = ±15 % , an ESD rating of 18kV – 30kV and the availability of FLEXITERM®, which allow for more than twice board flexure compared to standard terminations.