Surface mount capacitors are made from ceramic or lead and are useful for maintaining signal integrity and high speed delivery of charge in electronic devices. Surface mount capacitor distributors sell these devices for use in just about every type of electronic equipment including computers and cell phones.

Businesses in the automotive, military and medical electronics industry also rely on surface mount capacitor suppliers for their products to filter audio and process signals. Whether for signal processing to mobile phones, digital cameras, MP3 players or other handheld commercial electronics where high CV is a key requirement, surface mount capacitor manufacturers are in high demand.

Surface mount capacitor dealers distribute and sometimes manufacture three different types of surface mount capacitors: ceramic chips, tantalum chips and aluminum SM cans. The type you select depends on the equipment you require it for. Consider the following when purchasing from a surface mount capacitor dealer:

1. Determine what type of surface mount capacitor you require.

2. Determine what size your surface mount capacitor should be.

3. Determine what capacitance range your surface mount capacitor must have.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine what type of surface mount capacitor you require

Whether you select a ceramic chip, tantalum chip, or aluminum SM can surface mount capacitor depends on your equipment requirements. Tantalum chip surface mount capacitors, for example, are popular choices for equipment requiring a high capacitance range, or for products that must handle temperature variations.

I recommend: Surplus Sales of Nebraska sells all three varieties of surface mount capacitor manufactured products. Southern Radio Frequency and Microwave Components sells ceramic-type surface mount industrial capacitors.

Determine what capacitance range your surface mount capacitor requires

Generally speaking, the smaller the electronic product the more limited the capacitance, or CAP, range. Capacitance range is also referred to in surface mount capacitor supplier catalogs or websites as 'electronics capacitance' or denoted using the 'µF' symbol.

I recommend: Kemet's large product line includes surface mount capacitors with a wide array of cap ranges. Surface Mount Type (SMT) Aluminum Polymer Chips by Cornell Dubilier Electronics also come in a wide range of Electronics Capacitance or Cap Range (µF).

Determine what size surface mount capacitor your electronic equipment requires

With the miniaturization of electronic equipment, surface mount electrical capacitors are in high demand. Larger surface mount industrial capacitors are more suitable for computers, telecommunication and industrial systems, and anything else that requires a large power supply. Smaller capacitors are useful for smaller electronic equipment like cell phones, MP3 players, etc.

I recommend: Vishay sells surface mount capacitors of all sizes suitable for large and small electronic devices. Wholesale Electronics sells small surface mount capacitors two to a pack.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your older electronic device needs a new surface mount capacitor, consider buying one from a supplier of obsolete or hard-to-find capacitors.