Q&A Corner : Answer

Is it OK to use ceramic capacitors over the rated voltage?

In our company, withstanding voltage test is performed at 2.5 to 3 times (rated voltage < 100) or 1.2 to 2.5 times (rated voltage ≥ 100) of rated voltage. In case that the applied voltage exceeds the rated voltage and does not exceed the voltage mentioned above, ceramic capacitors are not broken instantly. However, it causes the reduction of reliabilities to use over the rated voltage. Please refer to following precautions in detail.

Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors

Operating Voltage (Verification of Rated voltage)
  1. The operating voltage for capacitors must always be their rated voltage or less.
    If an AC voltage is loaded on a DC voltage, the sum of the two peak voltage shall be the rated voltage or less.
  2. Even if an applied voltage is the rated voltage or less reliability of capacitors may be deteriorated in case that either a high frequency AC voltage or a pulse voltage having rapid rise time is used in a circuit.

* Precautions of the calalog are here.

It is not guaranteed to use our products over the rated voltage. Please agree to that in advance.