Safety capacitors are passive electronic components designed to mitigate the effects of transient voltages and interference in electrical circuits. Safety capacitors are designed to help safeguard users and equipment from electrical hazards, even in the event of failure. Since these components are commonly used in AC line filtering and power supply circuits where failure could lead to electric shock, fire, or equipment damage, safety capacitors are subject to stringent testing and certification requirements. 

Inductors are a fundamental component in electronic circuits, but not all inductors perform equally across different frequency ranges. At high frequencies, standard power inductors suffer from increased losses, reduced efficiency, and undesirable parasitic effects. RF inductors, specifically designed for radio frequency and microwave applications, address these challenges by minimizing resistive losses, optimizing self-resonant frequency, and maintaining signal integrity.

Here, we examine the distinguishing characteristics of RF inductors, highlighting how they differ from other inductor types and why they are essential in high-frequency applications.

Knowles makes a wide range of capacitors. To really understand the breadth of our offerings, it helps to look at the scale of energy storage they offer. From tiny bypass capacitors in medical implants to massive energy-storage banks used in fusion experiments, our products span an incredible range. 

From high-power radar to advanced medical imaging, many cutting-edge technologies rely on precisely controlled high-energy pulses. However, generating a pulse that delivers consistent power without distortion isn’t as simple as discharging a capacitor. These systems rely on Pulse Forming Networks (PFNs) to shape and control high-energy pulses. 

Capacitors and inductors are two closely related components that frequently work together in RF circuit design. While both store energy, they do so in distinct ways. Capacitors store energy in an electric field and help regulate voltage changes, whereas inductors store energy in a magnetic field and resist changes in current.  

From the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California to the High Magnetic Field Facility in Dresden, high-energy capacitor banks are at the heart of high-power pulsed energy experiments worldwide. These systems provide a massive amount of fast-discharge energy for experiments that push the boundaries of science and technology. 

Energy density and power density are essential, yet unique, metrics. Understanding the differences between them is crucial for designing efficient energy storage solutions. This blog explores those differences and their impact on capacitor performance.

Pulsed energy drives a wide range of high-energy applications, from particle acceleration to fusion research and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) simulation. Marx generators play a critical role in generating those high-voltage pulses by amplifying lower voltage DC inputs. Here, we’ll cover how Marx generators operate, recent advancements enhancing their efficiency and reliability and the critical role of capacitors in shaping their performance. 

To protect electrical grids from overloads and faults, utility companies can incorporate reclosers. When a fault occurs, this high-voltage circuit breaker automatically closes to isolate the faulty sections of the grid, allowing other areas of the grid to continue to operate safely. The recloser can then automatically test the electrical lines to determine if the issue has been resolved and reset itself, restoring power more quickly once a fault is cleared. Reclosers are also designed to perform remote switching, enabling utilities to manage their networks more efficiently.

At Knowles Precision Devices, we have more than 40 years of experience developing high-performance, high-reliability components for military applications. Our US-based manufacturing facilities adhere to the highest military-grade quality and reliability standards so our components can be used in sophisticated, secure military and aerospace systems.