Capacitors, which are small but important parts of many electronic devices, have a hidden power that overlooks their small size.
But every once in a while, a dramatic event disrupts their quiet existence. It is when the powers inside them work together to create an explosion. What makes these strange containers of electricity go from being quiet to store energy to exploding ghosts that break the balance of circuits and fill the air with an explosion of buzzing disorder?
To solve this intriguing puzzle, we must travel through the depth of electrons, the delicate balance of dielectric materials, and the dramatic buildup of energy that can not be stopped. It reveals the hidden processes that cause the mysterious phenomenon of capacitor explosions.
What Causes Capacitors To Explode?
A capacitor explodes due to overvoltage, overheating, overcharging, reverse voltage, outside damage, age, wear, improper handling or storage, and faulty manufacturing. Moreover, only certain types of capacitors, like ceramic capacitors, are prone to explosion.
There are a few limitations for the capacitors; exceeding these limits may cause an explosion in the capacitor. Here are a few reasons why capacitors might blow up.
Overvoltage
Capacitors are made to handle the standard, or nominal, voltage, which is the highest voltage they can handle. Using a voltage higher than this can cause a dielectric breakdown, which is when the insulation inside the capacitor breaks down. It can lead to a quick release of energy, which produces heat and, in the worst case, makes the capacitor burst.
Overheating/Thermal Runaway
Each capacitor works best at a certain range of temperatures. If you overheat a capacitor, especially the electrolytic one, it may explode immediately. It makes gas; the capacitor can burst if the pressure builds enough. The environment or other damaged components in the circuit that allow too much current to flow can both contribute to overheating.
Overcharging
Capacitors store energy and the number of their capacitances shows how well they can do this. The capacity of a capacitor is always mentioned on its cover. The capacitor will explode if you overcharge it or connect it to any overvoltage source. Overcharging leads to coil disruption, leading to chemical reactions or overheating, which causes it to explode.
Reverse Voltage
The capacitors we use in most of our electronic devices are polarized. It means they have a positive and a negative end. These ends must be connected to their respective (positive/negative) voltage sources. If you apply electricity in the wrong direction, the capacitor can quickly break down and fail, often explosively.
Damage from the Outside
Damage to the capacitor from the outside can cause an internal short circuit or break the seal, letting the electrolyte leak out. It can cause several reactions in the capacitor. It can cause a quick release of the energy that has been held, which could lead to an explosion.
Aging and Wear
Chemical processes inside the parts of capacitors, especially electrolytic capacitors, can cause them to break down over time. As capacitors age, the electrolyte slowly dissolves, which can make the capacitor’s internal resistance and capacitance decrease. The capacitor can fail, sometimes in an explosive way, at some point.
Handling/Storage Mistakes
Capacitors can get broken if they are not handled or kept correctly. Electrostatic discharge can damage the core of a capacitor, and capacitors that are charged and then put away can lose their charge without warning. Also, storing capacitors for a long time in places with a lot of humidity can cause them to rust or break down.
Choosing, handling, and keeping an eye on capacitors correctly is usually enough to keep them from exploding. Choose capacitors with the right capacitance for the job and keep them from getting damaged.
Faulty Manufacturing
It is also possible for capacitors to fail due to defects in the manufacturing process. These problems could be caused by various factors, including impurities present in the materials, dielectric layers that were inadequately made, or a case that was not properly sealed.
What Type Of Capacitor Is More Likely To Explode?
Electrolytic capacitors are the most common culprit when it comes to exploding capacitors. The reason is easy to understand. Electrolytic capacitors contain a liquid electrolyte that can evaporate if the capacitor gets too hot or too much power is applied.
Due to the heating of the liquid electrolyte, the pressure inside the capacitor increases, leading to an explosion. This kind of capacitor also has a polarity, which means it has a positive and negative side. If they are joined incorrectly, they are more likely to blow up.
The safest type of capacitor is ceramic and film capacitors, as they do not have any liquid electrolyte and are not positive or negative. Therefore, you do not need to worry about the sides. That doesn’t mean they can’t fail, but when they do, it’s generally in less dramatic ways, like just stopping to work instead of blowing up.
Remember that capacitors should always be used within their recommended voltage and temperature ranges to avoid any kind of accident. It is true even for the safer types. Tantalum capacitors are another kind of capacitor that can blow up in some situations.
Tantalum capacitors are biased in the same way that electrolytic capacitors are. As a result, they are more likely to react appropriately to situations involving excessive or unsuitable voltage levels. Also, tantalum capacitors have a low surge current, which means that quick changes in current can easily damage them.
Conclusion
Capacitors can explode under certain circumstances, leading to possible damage and disruption to electronic devices. When capacitors are subjected to a voltage above their limit, this is called “overvoltage.” It causes the insulator to disconnect and suddenly lose power, potentially causing an explosion.
Overheating, also known as “heat runaway,” is when capacitors operate outside their optimum temperature, breaking down charges and releasing gas. If too much pressure is applied, the capacitor can break.
The chemicals in the capacitors gradually absorb the electrolyte, increasing the internal resistance and decreasing the capacitance. At some point, the capacitor can fail explosively. If your charge capacitor exceeds its holding capacity, it can overwhelm the insulator, causing it to fail or explode.
Electrical capacitors are more likely to explode than other types because their liquid electrolyte is volatile in hot and cold temperatures. On the other hand, ceramic film capacitors are considered safe because they have no liquid base and no polarity issues.
