Würth Elektronik has published a new help guide named "Keep the Balance - Balancing Supercapacitors" for developers on its webpage. The latest publication includes experience gained from support and addresses the relative unfamiliarity of using supercapacitors. This extends the support Würth Elektronik previously provided in the form of application notes, explanatory videos and webinars.

Although supercapacitors, such as the Würth Elektronik WCAP-STSC series, essentially differ from other capacitors only in their higher energy density, they unlock completely different applications. Würth Elektronik's product management team has made it its business to assist developers, especially in the application of capacitors as energy storage devices, with concepts, selection criteria and calculation bases.

Whether it is for preventing data loss in the event of a power failure, for critical network devices or in medical technology - supercapacitors are durable components for short-term power supply. The application note ANP090: “Keep the balance - Balancing Supercapacitors” addresses the issue that supercapacitors normally operate at voltages of around 2.7 V only. To achieve higher operating voltages, a cascade of supercapacitor cells connected in series is required. Fluctuations in capacitance and insulation resistance due to manufacturing or aging makes voltage equalization (balancing) necessary. This application note by René Kalbitz, Product Manager, and Frank Puhane, Technical Engineering Leader, at Würth Elektronik eiSos for the capacitors division, covers the theoretical background, measurements and practical examples while offering various balancing concepts.

All texts and videos by Würth Elektronik on the topic of supercapacitors are linked on the product page of the WCAP-STSC series.

Additionally, Würth Elektronik offers a technical book named “ABC of Capacitors” that provides an introduction to capacitor technology.

Click here to learn more about supercapcitors on everything PE.