Modeling and improving heat dissipation from large aluminum electrolytic capacitors. II

Numerous thermal models for large can aluminum electrolytic capacitors have been proposed in order to improve the prediction accuracy for the ripple current heating of these products. This study attempts to extend the RADAX model to a further improved construction and to compare the model results for a number of internal construction types to illustrate the progress which has been made in dissipating ripple current heat. In a previous report, the construction effect of a press-fit construction was investigated and shown to substantially reduce the internal thermal resistance of the capacitor. On average, this lower thermal resistance permitted an increase in ripple current of 24%. This study extends the model to a further called "core-winding" which permits a further increase in ripple current of 14% overall by shortening the internal path for heat flow to the package.