Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are the workhorses of bulk capacitance. If a circuit needs to smooth rectified AC, hold up a rail during load transients, or filter switching noise on a power supply, this is usually the first place a designer looks. The category breaks down into a few practical sub-types: radial leaded parts for through-hole boards, SMD V-chip cans for automated assembly, snap-in and screw-terminal types for high-current applications like motor drives and UPS systems, and polymer or hybrid polymer variants where low ESR and longer life matter more than upfront cost. You will find them in consumer power adapters, LED drivers, solar inverters, industrial controls, audio equipment, and pretty much anything that converts or regulates power. When buyers source these parts, the conversation rarely starts with price alone. The first checks are usually capacitance tolerance (commonly plus or minus 20 percent), rated voltage headroom, ripple current rating, and the load-life figure at 105 degrees Celsius, since lifetime in these parts is driven by electrolyte evaporation and drops fast with temperature. After that comes the trade-off between cost and availability: name-brand series from Nichicon, Rubycon, or Panasonic carry a premium and sometimes long factory lead times, while equivalents from second-tier manufacturers can ship faster and cheaper but need closer scrutiny on specs and consistency. Counterfeiting is a real problem in this category, especially for popular high-voltage snap-in cans, so traceable sourcing matters more here than in most passive lines. Many buyers also care about packaging, since tape-and-reel or ammo pack formats feed directly into their insertion or pick-and-place equipment, and the wrong packing can slow down a production run. Check live stock and pricing at icxing.com, or send us your BOM and we will quote the full list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the aluminum electrolytic capacitors I am buying are genuine?

Ask for full lot traceability and a certificate of conformance from the original manufacturer. Genuine parts come with consistent date codes, proper branding on the sleeve, and packaging that matches the maker's standard format. We source only through authorized or verified channels, which removes most of the risk upfront.

What is a realistic lead time for aluminum electrolytic capacitors right now?

Stocked radial and SMD types usually ship within days, while factory orders for branded parts like Nichicon or Panasonic can run 8 to 16 weeks depending on the series. Snap-in and screw-terminal types in less common values often take longer. If your schedule is tight, we can suggest in-stock equivalents with matching specs.

Can I substitute a cheaper brand if my BOM specifies a premium series?

Often yes, but compare more than capacitance and voltage. Check the ripple current rating, ESR, load-life hours at rated temperature, and case dimensions before approving a swap. A cheaper part with lower ripple handling will run hotter and fail earlier in a power supply, so we recommend reviewing the datasheet side by side or asking us to verify the alternative.

ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance):
Impedance:
Polarization:
Ripple Current @ High Frequency:
Ripple Current @ Low Frequency:
Image Part Manufacturer Description Stock Action
MAL202136101E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 100UF 20% 25...
12,800
In-stock
Inquiry
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CAP ALUM 100UF 20% 50...
32,500
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL215097001E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 220UF 20% 35...
18,400
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL202137101E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 100UF 20% 40...
48,100
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL215099101E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 100UF 20% 50...
34,500
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL214699103E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 100UF 20% 50...
48,600
In-stock
Inquiry
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CAP ALUM 100UF 20% 63...
29,200
In-stock
Inquiry
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CAP ALUM 220UF 20% 35...
26,800
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL214699806E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 100UF 20% 63...
25,500
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL214650471E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 470UF 20% 35...
31,800
In-stock
Inquiry
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CAP ALUM 470UF 20% 50...
47,100
In-stock
Inquiry
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CAP ALUM 470UF 20% 63...
28,900
In-stock
Inquiry
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CAP ALUM 330UF 20% 63...
33,500
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL214699814E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 1000UF 20% 6...
43,600
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL202117222E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 2200UF 20% 4...
34,000
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL213818102E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 1000UF 20% 6...
46,600
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL213816472E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 4700UF 20% 2...
34,000
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL205657103E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 10000UF 20% ...
36,700
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL219357471E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 470UF 20% 45...
17,200
In-stock
Inquiry
MAL225727681E3 Vishay
CAP ALUM 680UF 20% 45...
40,600
In-stock
Inquiry