Meaning
Internal degradation in a capacitor leads to an increase in the resistive losses of the component over its operating life. This equivalent series resistance growth reduces the efficiency of power delivery and increases the amount of heat generated during operation. It stands as a primary indicator of aging in electrolytic and polymer capacitors.
Chemical Degradation
Changes within the component cause the conductive medium to dry out or break down. As a result of equivalent series resistance growth, the capacitor becomes less effective at filtering high frequency noise from the power rail. This process accelerates when the device operates at high temperatures.
Ripple Tolerance
Thermal energy builds up inside the part as the internal resistance climbs. The feedback loop created by equivalent series resistance growth causes the component to run hotter, which further speeds up the chemical degradation. Fans or heat sinks may struggle to compensate for this localized rise in temperature.
Failure Threshold
Monitoring the voltage ripple on a board allows for the detection of failing components before they cause a system shutdown. A measurable rise in equivalent series resistance growth signals that the power supply is reaching the end of its reliable life. Replacing the affected parts prevents unplanned downtime.
