Commercial & Automotive ArcShield MLCCs

KEMET Commercial and Automotive ArcShield MLCCs in X7R dielectric are designed for use in high-voltage applications susceptible to surface arcing (arc-over discharge). The phenomenon of surface arcing is caused by a high voltage gradient between the two termination surfaces or between one of the termination surfaces and the counter internal electrode structure within the ceramic body. It occurs most frequently at application voltages that meet or exceed 300V, in high humidity environments, and in chip sizes with minimal bandwidth separation (creepage distance). This phenomenon can either damage surrounding components or lead to a breakdown of the dielectric material, ultimately resulting in a short circuit condition (catastrophic failure mode).