
CAPACITOR RECOMMENDATIONS for the PTN78020 WIDE-OUTPUT
PTN78020W Input Capacitor
PTN78020H Input Capacitor
PTN78020W/PTN78020H Output Capacitor
Ceramic Capacitors
www.ti.com .................................................................................................................................................. SLTS228B – DECEMBER 2004 – REVISED APRIL 2008
ADJUST POWER MODULES
The minimum requirement for the input capacitance is a 2.2-F ceramic capacitor for PTN78020W, in either a
X5R or X7R temperature characteristic. Ceramic capacitors should be located within 0.5 inch (1,27 cm) of the
regulator's input pins. Electrolytic capacitors can be used at the input, but only in addition to the required ceramic
capacitance. The minimum ripple current rating for any nonceramic capacitance must be at least 500 mA rms for
VO ≤ 5.5. For VO > 5.5 V, the minimum ripple current rating is 750 mA rms. The ripple current rating of electrolytic
capacitors is a major consideration when they are used at the input. This ripple current requirement can be
reduced by placing more ceramic capacitors at the input, in addition to the minimum required 2.2 F.
Tantalum capacitors are not recommended for use at the input bus, as none were found to meet the minimum
voltage rating of 2
× (maximum dc voltage + ac ripple). This voltage derating is standard practice for regular
tantalum capacitors to ensure reliability. Polymer-tantalum capacitors are more reliable, and are available with a
maximum rating of typically 20 V. These can be used with input voltages up to 16 V.
The minimum requirement for PTN78020H the input capacitance is 18.8 F (4x 4.7-F) or equivalent . Ceramic
capacitors should be located within 0.5 inch (1,27 cm) of the regulator's input pins. Electrolytic capacitors can be
used at the input, but only in addition to the required ceramic capacitance. The minimum ripple current rating for
any nonceramic capacitance must be at least 500 mA rms for VO ≤ 5.5. For VO > 5.5 V, the minimum ripple
current rating is 750 mA rms. The ripple current rating of electrolytic capacitors is a major consideration when
they are used at the input.
Tantalum capacitors are not recommended for use at the input bus, as none meet the minimum voltage rating of
2
× (maximum dc voltage + ac ripple). This voltage derating is standard practice for regular tantalum capacitors
to ensure reliability. Polymer-tantalum capacitors are more reliable, and are available with a maximum rating of
typically 20 V. These can be used with input voltages up to 16 V.
The minimum capacitance required to ensure stability is a 330 F. Either ceramic or electrolytic-type capacitors
can be used. The minimum ripple current rating for the nonceramic capacitance must be at least 250 mA rms.
The stability of the module and voltage tolerances are compromised if the capacitor is not placed near the output
bus pins. A high-quality, computer-grade electrolytic capacitor should be adequate. A ceramic capacitor can be
also be located within 0.5 inch (1,27 cm) of the output pin.
For applications with load transients (sudden changes in load current), the regulator response improves with
additional capacitance. Additional electrolytic capacitors should be located close to the load circuit. These
capacitors provide decoupling over the frequency range, 2 kHz to 150 kHz. Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are
suitable for ambient temperatures above 0
°C. For operation below 0°C, tantalum or Os-Con type capacitors are
recommended. When using one or more nonceramic capacitors, the calculated equivalent ESR should be no
lower than 10 m
(17 m using the manufacturer's maximum ESR for a single capacitor). A list of capacitors
and vendors are identified in
Table 5 and
Table 6, the recommended capacitor tables.
Above 150 kHz, the performance of aluminum electrolytic capacitors becomes less effective. To further reduce
the reflected input ripple current, or the output transient response, multilayer ceramic capacitors must be added.
Ceramic capacitors have low ESR and their resonant frequency is higher than the bandwidth of the regulator.
When placed at the output, their combined ESR is not critical as long as the total value of ceramic capacitance
does not exceed 300 F. Also, to prevent the formation of local resonances, do not place more than three
identical ceramic capacitors with values of 10 F or greater in parallel.
Copyright 2004–2008, Texas Instruments Incorporated
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