--- title: Knowles Precision Devices Blog | Steve Hopwood description: Steve has nearly 35 years of experience in Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor (MLCC) industry, specializing in capacitor applications and EMI filters using MLCC capacitors (chip caps, discoidals and planar arrays). Before moving to an applications engineering role providing technical support to customers, with an emphasis on those in the EV market, he spent time as a design and process engineer in MLCC and EMI filter manufacturing. In that time, he gained technical expertise in soldering (especially high temperature, specialist alloys and soldering to ceramics materials) and experience with handling ceramic capacitors that has led to patents in ceramic capacitor packaging. Additionally, Steve has been involved with the cross industry working group on RoHS exemptions and is the author of RoHS exemption 24. --- [![Knowlescapacitors](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Knowlescapacitors_September2018/Images/knowlesPDWhite250w.png)](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/) - Capacitors - [Capacitor Overview](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors) - [Aerospace & Defense](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Aerospace-and-Defense) - [High Q](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/High-Q) - [SMD Capacitors](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/SMDCap.aspx) - [MLCCs with Leads](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Leaded-MLC-s.aspx) - [Single Layer Capacitor](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Single-Layer-Capacitor.aspx) - [AEC-Q200](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/AEC-Q200.aspx) - [Broadband Blocks](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Broadband-Blocks.aspx) - [Capacitor Assemblies](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/CAP-Assemblies.aspx) - [Trimmer](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Trimmer.aspx) - [Aluminum Capacitors](https://www.cde.com/capacitors/aluminum-electrolytic/) - [Film Capacitors](https://www.cde.com/capacitors/film-paper-film-capacitors/) - [Supercapacitors](https://www.cde.com/capacitors/ultracapacitors/) - RF and Microwave - [RF & Microwave Overview](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products) - [Filter Technology](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Filter-Technology) - [5G Filters](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/5G-Filters) - [Bandpass Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Bandpass-Filters.aspx) - [Lowpass Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Lowpass-Filters.aspx) - [Highpass Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Highpass-Filters.aspx) - [Cavity Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Cavity-Filters.aspx) - [Couplers](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Couplers.aspx) - [High Frequency RF Crossover](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/RF-Crossover) - [Custom Design Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Custom-Design-Filters.aspx) - [Gain Equalizers](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Gain-Equalizers.aspx) - [Power Dividers](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Power-Dividers.aspx) - [Resonators](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Resonatros.aspx) - [Ceramic Resonators](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Ceramic-Resonators) - [Bias Filter Networks](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Bias-Filter-Networks.aspx) - [SatCom Products](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/SatCom-Products) - [Self Bias Networks](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Self-Bias-Networks.aspx) - EMI - [EMI Overview](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/EMI) - [EMI Filters](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/EMI/EMI-Filters) - [Planars and Discoidals](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/EMI/Planars-and-Discoidals) - Non Magnetic - [Non-Magnetic Overview](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components) - [Non-Magnetic Hardware](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components/Hardware.aspx) - [Non-Magnetic Inductors](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components/Inductors.aspx) - [Non-Magnetic MLC's](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components/Non-Magnetic.aspx) - [Non-Magnetic Trimmers](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components/Trimmers.aspx) - Thin Film and Substrates - [Heatsinks & Standoffs](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Heatsinks-Standoffs) - [Mounting Shorts](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Mounting-Shorts) - [Submounts](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Submounts) - [Build to Print](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Build-To-Print) - [Substrates](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Substrates.aspx) - Solutions - [SatCom Products](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Solutions/SatCom-Products) - [Contact](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Contact.aspx) - [Careers](https://www.knowles.com/careers) - [Company](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Company.aspx) - Support - [Blog](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog) - [Catalogs](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Support/Catalogs.aspx) - [Video FAQs](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/videos) - [Capacitor Basics](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/knowles-precision-devices-capacitor-basics) - [Build To Print Basics](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/build-to-print-basics) - [Filter Basics](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/filter-basics) - [Design Tools](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Support/Design-Tools.aspx) - [Quality](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Support/Quality) - [Resources](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Support/Resources.aspx) - [LOGIN](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Special-Pages/Login.aspx) - - Capacitors - [Capacitor Overview](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors) - [Aerospace & Defense](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Aerospace-and-Defense) - [High Q](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/High-Q) - [SMD Capacitors](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/SMDCap.aspx) - [MLCCs with Leads](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Leaded-MLC-s.aspx) - [Single Layer Capacitor](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Single-Layer-Capacitor.aspx) - [AEC-Q200](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/AEC-Q200.aspx) - [Broadband Blocks](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Broadband-Blocks.aspx) - [Capacitor Assemblies](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/CAP-Assemblies.aspx) - [Trimmer](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Capacitors/Trimmer.aspx) - [Aluminum Capacitors](https://www.cde.com/capacitors/aluminum-electrolytic/) - [Film Capacitors](https://www.cde.com/capacitors/film-paper-film-capacitors/) - [Supercapacitors](https://www.cde.com/capacitors/ultracapacitors/) - RF and Microwave - [RF & Microwave Overview](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products) - [Filter Technology](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Filter-Technology) - [5G Filters](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/5G-Filters) - [Bandpass Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Bandpass-Filters.aspx) - [Lowpass Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Lowpass-Filters.aspx) - [Highpass Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Highpass-Filters.aspx) - [Cavity Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Cavity-Filters.aspx) - [Couplers](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Couplers.aspx) - [Custom Design Filters](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Custom-Design-Filters.aspx) - [Gain Equalizers](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Gain-Equalizers.aspx) - [Power Dividers](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Power-Dividers.aspx) - [Resonators](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Resonatros.aspx) - [Ceramic Resonators](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Ceramic-Resonators) - [Bias Filter Networks](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Bias-Filter-Networks.aspx) - [SatCom Products](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/SatCom-Products) - [Self Bias Networks](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Microwave-Products/Self-Bias-Networks.aspx) - EMI - [EMI Overview](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/EMI) - [EMI Filters](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/EMI/EMI-Filters) - [Planars and Discoidals](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/EMI/Planars-and-Discoidals) - Non Magnetic - [Non-Magnetic Overview](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components) - [Non-Magnetic Hardware](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components/Hardware.aspx) - [Non-Magnetic Inductors](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components/Inductors.aspx) - [Non-Magnetic MLC's](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components/Non-Magnetic.aspx) - [Non-Magnetic Trimmers](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Non-magnetic-Components/Trimmers.aspx) - Thin Film and Substrates - [Heatsinks, Standoffs & Submounts](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Heatsinks-Standoffs) - [Mounting Shorts](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Mounting-Shorts) - [Submounts](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Submounts) - [Build to Print](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Build-To-Print) - [Substrates](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Products/Thin-Film-and-Substrates/Substrates.aspx) - Solutions - [Military and Defense](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/rf-and-microwave-components-for-military-and-defense) - [mmWave for 5G](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/knowles-precision-devices-5g-filter-solutions) - [SatCom Products](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Solutions/SatCom-Products) - [High Reliability for Medical](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/high-reliability-capacitors-medical-implantable) - [High Voltage for Electric Vehicles](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/knowles-precision-devices-capacitors-for-electric-vehicles) - [Contact](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Contact.aspx) - [Careers](https://www.knowles.com/careers) - [Company](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Company.aspx) - Support - [Blog](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog) - [White Papers & Webinars](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/resources) - [Catalogs](http://dev.knowlescapacitors.com/Support/Catalogs.aspx) - [Video FAQs](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/videos) - [Capacitor Basics](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/knowles-precision-devices-capacitor-basics) - [Build To Print Basics](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/build-to-print-basics) - [Design Tools](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Support/Design-Tools.aspx) - [Quality](https://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Support/Quality) - [Product Compliance](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/product-compliance) - [Resources](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Support/Resources.aspx) - [LOGIN](http://www.knowlescapacitors.com/Special-Pages/Login.aspx) - ## Knowles Precision Devices Blog ## Steve Hopwood ![Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Steve%20Hopwood_cropped.jpg) Steve has nearly 35 years of experience in Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor (MLCC) industry, specializing in capacitor applications and EMI filters using MLCC capacitors (chip caps, discoidals and planar arrays). Before moving to an applications engineering role providing technical support to customers, with an emphasis on those in the EV market, he spent time as a design and process engineer in MLCC and EMI filter manufacturing. In that time, he gained technical expertise in soldering (especially high temperature, specialist alloys and soldering to ceramics materials) and experience with handling ceramic capacitors that has led to patents in ceramic capacitor packaging. Additionally, Steve has been involved with the cross industry working group on RoHS exemptions and is the author of RoHS exemption 24. Find me on: ### Recent Posts ## [Today’s RF Power Applications Require Understanding Equivalent Series Resistance & Q Factor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/understanding-equivalent-series-resistance) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on Dec 20, 2023, 6:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Today’s RF Power Applications Require Understanding Equivalent Series Resistance & Q Factor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Today%E2%80%99s%20RF%20Power%20Applications%20Require%20Understanding%20Equivalent%20Series%20Resistance%20%26%20Q%20Factor.jpg)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/understanding-equivalent-series-resistance) As a fundamental component of circuit design, **equivalent series resistance (ESR)** is the measurement of all the non-ideal electrical resistances in series with a capacitor. When current flows through a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) due to application of alternating voltage, heat is generated in the MLCC due to the losses, specifically ESR. As a result, this self-heating can cause various performance and reliability issues in the circuits of today’s more complex and smaller electronic systems. [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/understanding-equivalent-series-resistance) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/understanding-equivalent-series-resistance#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [Automotive](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/automotive), [Electric Vehicles](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/electric-vehicles) ## [Continuing Our Investment in Surface-Mount EMI Filters](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/continuing-our-investment-in-surface-mount-emi-filters) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on May 25, 2022, 9:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Knowles%20EMI%20Social%20Post.png)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/continuing-our-investment-in-surface-mount-emi-filters) Since a lot of electronic component manufacturers are now focusing production efforts on high-volume commodity applications, as their specialty component production equipment ages, many companies are electing to divest in this type of production. One component that we’ve seen fall into this category in recent years is the surface-mount electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter. These three-terminal chips use conventional multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) manufacturing techniques to form a filter that has a short circuit end-to-end and has a capacitance between the end terminals and the side (ground) terminals.  [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/continuing-our-investment-in-surface-mount-emi-filters) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/continuing-our-investment-in-surface-mount-emi-filters#comments-listing) Topics: [Filtering](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/filtering) ## [Are You at Risk of Violating International Dual-Use Export Laws?](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/are-you-at-risk-of-violating-international-dual-use-export-laws) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on May 4, 2022, 7:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Dual-Use Legislation Featured Image](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Knowles_Dual_Use_Featured%20Image.png)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/are-you-at-risk-of-violating-international-dual-use-export-laws) Today, many electrical systems are demanding higher operating voltages and temperatures, along with higher capacitance values – particularly in the fast-growing area of power electronics for electric vehicles (EVs). Therefore, electrical design engineers are looking to use multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) in these applications due to their inherent low inductance and wide operating temperature range. [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/are-you-at-risk-of-violating-international-dual-use-export-laws) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/are-you-at-risk-of-violating-international-dual-use-export-laws#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [Electric Vehicles](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/electric-vehicles) ## [Webinar: Addressing MLCC Performance Issues in High-Voltage EV Applications](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/webinar-addressing-mlcc-performance-issues-in-high-voltage-ev-applications) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on Jan 19, 2022, 9:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Webinar: Addressing MLCC Performance Issues in High-Voltage EV Applications](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Webinars/Webinar%20Addressing%20MLCC%20Performance%20Issues%20in%20High-Voltage%20EV%20Applications%203.png)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/webinar-addressing-mlcc-performance-issues-in-high-voltage-ev-applications) In recent years, multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) have emerged as an excellent capacitor option for the high-power electrical systems needed in electric vehicle (EVs) due to their small physical size, low inductance, and ability to operate at higher temperatures. However, EV engineers are facing two big challenges with using MLCCs including DC bias that can cause capacitance loses of 80 to 90 percent of their quoted value and self-heating issues from AC ripple that can lead to inefficiencies in circuits as well as increased cooling demands.  [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/webinar-addressing-mlcc-performance-issues-in-high-voltage-ev-applications) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/webinar-addressing-mlcc-performance-issues-in-high-voltage-ev-applications#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [News and Events](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/news-and-events), [Electric Vehicles](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/electric-vehicles) ## [New Low Loss, Ultra Stable High-Capacitance MLCCs for Power Electronics](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/new-low-loss-ultra-stable-high-capacitance-mlccs-for-power-electronics) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on Dec 1, 2021, 9:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/GROUP.png)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/new-low-loss-ultra-stable-high-capacitance-mlccs-for-power-electronics) Many power electronics today are being designed for use in high-temperature, high-voltage environments, such as inside electric vehicles (EVs). However, size, weight, and power (SWaP) are also key factors driving electronic product development. These conflicting design criteria are an issue for many electrical engineers because space is not available to simply add a cooling system, as this will add weight and increase the product’s overall footprint. Therefore, many of these electronic components are susceptible to “running hot” at the high temperatures and high voltages used in these tiny spaces. [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/new-low-loss-ultra-stable-high-capacitance-mlccs-for-power-electronics) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/new-low-loss-ultra-stable-high-capacitance-mlccs-for-power-electronics#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [Electric Vehicles](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/electric-vehicles), [High Reliability](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/high-reliability) ## [A Custom Approach to Large Capacitor Assembly](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/a-custom-approach-to-large-capacitor-assembly) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on Oct 13, 2021, 9:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/LargeCap%20Group1.jpg)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/a-custom-approach-to-large-capacitor-assembly) Achieving high capacitance means going big. But how do you do that while still maximizing board space? At Knowles Precision Devices, we’ve developed a new method for building customizable large capacitor assemblies that capitalize on the vertical space above the circuit board. While stacked capacitor assemblies have been around for many years, these parts do not have very good bump and vibration withstand due to the thin leads used in their construction. These new assemblies from Knowles Precision Devices offer a ruggedized construction capable of withstanding high levels of shock and vibration. This offers a unique combination of capability, durability, high capacitance, and very high voltage in a smaller area, making these capacitors ideal for automotive, military, and aerospace applications. [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/a-custom-approach-to-large-capacitor-assembly) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/a-custom-approach-to-large-capacitor-assembly#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [Automotive](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/automotive), [Military and Aerospace](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/military-and-aerospace), [Electric Vehicles](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/electric-vehicles), [High Reliability](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/high-reliability) ## [Solving Tough Technical Challenges Through Agility and Experience](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/solving-tough-technical-challenges-through-agility-and-experience) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on Sep 8, 2021, 9:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Resonant%20Link%20case%20study%20figure%201_featured.jpg)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/solving-tough-technical-challenges-through-agility-and-experience) At Knowles Precision Devices, we thrive on working with companies who want to take technically challenging ideas and work through the details to figure out how to turn their seemingly impossible ideas into reality. This is because we are not limited to volume production and have extensive experience making specialty and custom parts. We are also familiar with the challenges associated with delivering high-reliability components as we supply many industries and applications that depend on the consistent functionality of custom-shaped parts. For example, we provide numerous space grade components and we are the only manufacturer who has developed planar array ceramic parts for the International Space Station.  [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/solving-tough-technical-challenges-through-agility-and-experience) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/solving-tough-technical-challenges-through-agility-and-experience#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [Medical](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/medical), [High Reliability](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/high-reliability) ## [Meet Safety Requirements at Higher Voltages with New Safety-Certified MLCCs](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/meet-safety-requirements-at-higher-voltages) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on Mar 17, 2021, 7:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Safety Cap](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Safety%20cap%20image-1.jpg)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/meet-safety-requirements-at-higher-voltages) With our new expanded range of enhanced safety-certified multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), Knowles Precision Devices now offers a unique combination of capability and safety certification for electronic device applications. These new surface-mount MLCCs comply with international UL60384-14 and EN60384-14 specifications and can be used instead of leaded film capacitors in AC-DC power supplies where a lightning strike or other voltage transients represent a threat to the electronic equipment. [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/meet-safety-requirements-at-higher-voltages) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/meet-safety-requirements-at-higher-voltages#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [High Reliability](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/high-reliability) ## [What to Think About When Replacing Film Capacitors with MLCCs](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/what-to-think-about-when-replacing-film-capacitors-with-mlccs) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on Apr 29, 2020, 2:57:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![What to Think About When Replacing Film Capacitors with MLCCs](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Replacing%20Film%20Capacitors%20with%20MLCCs_Featured%20Sq.webp)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/what-to-think-about-when-replacing-film-capacitors-with-mlccs) Today, the design and development of many applications, such as power electronics in electric vehicles (EVs), is driven largely by concerns about size and weight. This means the film capacitors traditionally used by electronics engineers aren’t always the best option. Instead, multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are emerging as an excellent alternative to film capacitors. Let’s review some of the considerations to keep in mind when you are deciding if making the switch is the right choice for your application.   [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/what-to-think-about-when-replacing-film-capacitors-with-mlccs) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/what-to-think-about-when-replacing-film-capacitors-with-mlccs#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [Automotive](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/automotive), [Electric Vehicles](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/electric-vehicles) ## [Tips From the Lab: Vertical Mount MLCC’s to Save Board Space and Achieve High Capacitance Values](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tips-from-the-lab-vertical-mount-mlccs-to-save-board-space-and-achieve-high-capacitance-values) Posted by [Steve Hopwood](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood) on Apr 15, 2020, 2:56:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Images/Knowles%20blog%200403%201.jpg)](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tips-from-the-lab-vertical-mount-mlccs-to-save-board-space-and-achieve-high-capacitance-values) As many industries, including RF and automotive, need to incorporate more features in less space, engineers are constantly looking for ways to do more in a smaller footprint. For example, there is often demand for more multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) to achieve higher capacitance values while at the same time increasingly limited space is available. Thus, continuing to simply add capacitors inside an application to achieve a higher capacitance value is not a viable option. [Read More](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tips-from-the-lab-vertical-mount-mlccs-to-save-board-space-and-achieve-high-capacitance-values) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tips-from-the-lab-vertical-mount-mlccs-to-save-board-space-and-achieve-high-capacitance-values#comments-listing) Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor) [All posts](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/all) [Next](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/steve-hopwood/page/2) ## Insights Into Precision Passive Devices Knowles Precision Devices is a premier global source for Capacitors, RF Filters, EMI Filters, Resonators, non-magnetic components and advanced dielectric materials. 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