An experimental characterization of nonlinear ceramic capacitors for small and large signals

The aim of this paper is both to characterize multilayer ceramic capacitors showing a nonlinear behavior with the applied voltage and to give possible explanations of such a behavior. Experimental methods involving high and low voltage magnitudes are used to characterize different type of components (X7R, Z5U), Their results are compared and discussed and the main properties of the materials used to manufacture them are derived. At last, their limits in view of power electronic applications are discussed.