Temperature Rise of Metallized Film Capacitors in Repetitive Pulse Applications

Metallized film capacitors (MFCs) enjoy characteristics of high energy density and high reliability due to the self-healing capability, and thus are commonly used as energy storage devices in pulsed power systems. With expanding of pulsed power applications, high repetition pulsed power technology has become an essential topic. Research to explore the application of the MFC to repetitive pulse power systems is of great importance. This paper focuses on high-energy-density capacitors in repetitive pulse applications in a repetition rate less than 100 Hz. A heat transfer model is established to analyze the temperature distribution in the MFC. Temperature rise of the MFC is investigated based on the repetition pulse lifetime test platform. The simulation results are accordant with the experimental temperature rise. This model can be used to assess the temperature rise of the MFC applied in repetitive pulsed discharges.