---
title: Snubber Capacitors in the Field
description: Snubber capacitors are commonly found in switching power supplies to combat the impacts of switching. We share how snubbers are used in the field.
image: https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/Snubber%20Capacitors%20%20in%20the%20Field.png
---

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## Knowles Precision Devices Blog

# Snubber Capacitors in the Field

Posted by [Jordan Yates](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/author/jordan-yates) on Jan 31, 2024 8:16:00 AM

![Jordan Yates](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hubfs/1682549265688%20copy.jpeg)

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

Given that snubber capacitors address the negative impacts of switching, it’s no surprise that they’re most commonly found in switching power supplies. These systems face major challenges from switching, including: 

- Switching transients 
- Parasitic elements 
- High-frequency noise 

![Snubber Capacitors  in the Field](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Snubber%20Capacitors%20%20in%20the%20Field.webp?width=1200&height=627&name=Snubber%20Capacitors%20%20in%20the%20Field.webp)

AC to DC conversions in electric vehicles (EVs) is a great example. Insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) are used for fast and efficient switching in power electronics, including EV inverters. These inverters are responsible for converting DC battery power to three-phase AC power, which drives the traction motor during acceleration, and converts AC power back to DC power when the vehicle is braking.  

A power module that’s responsible for a three-phase load will need at least six IGBTs and six snubber capacitors to protect the semiconductors appropriately. These snubbers [protect power switching in EVs](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/looking-closer-at-snubber-capacitors-in-electric-vehicles) by absorbing noise.

Today, we’re starting to see more power supply circuits with wide-bandgap semiconductors, rather than the traditional IGBTs, mentioned above. While the fundamental circuit design process remains the same, substituting a component as vital as a semiconductor impacts component selection across the board—including snubber capacitors.

With the shift towards wide-bandgap semiconductors, engineers need to step back and take a fresh look at factors like voltage rating, capacitance value, equivalent series resistance (ESR) and equivalent series inductance (ESL) in the design process.

For more information, read our white paper, [How to Size a Snubber Capacitor for Your Power Supply](https://info.knowlescapacitors.com/how-to-size-a-snubber-capacitor-for-your-power-supply).

[![Read White Paper](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4681461/03e5c8c3-0649-4e04-ba4b-9c3f3caa516f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4681461/03e5c8c3-0649-4e04-ba4b-9c3f3caa516f)

 Topics: [Capacitor](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/capacitor), [Electric Vehicles](https://blog.knowlescapacitors.com/blog/tag/electric-vehicles)

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