Large values of capacitance can be obtained in comparison with the size of the capacitor, because the dielectric used is very thin.

The most important characteristic of electrolytic capacitors is that they have polarity. They have a positive and a negative electrode.[Polarised] This means that it is very important which way round they are connected. If the capacitor is subjected to voltage exceeding its working voltage, or if it is connected with incorrect polarity, it may burst. It is extremely dangerous, because it can quite literally explode. Make absolutely no mistakes.

Generally, in the circuit diagram, the positive side is indicated by a "+" (plus) symbol.

Vishay Intertechnology has released a new series of radial aluminum capacitors that offers very low impedance valuesof 18 mohms at capacitance values up to 6800 µ Farads.

The 146 RTI devices are available in 13 case sizes, ranging from 10 mm by 12 mm to the larger 18 mm by 35 mm. For enhanced performance and reliability, the capacitors offer very low impedance, which is specified as low as 18 mohms at 100 kHz, a high rated ripple current of 3200 mA at +125 °C, and a capacitance range from 68 µF to 6800 µF over a voltage range of 16 V to 63 V.

This family of polarized aluminum electrolytic capacitor with a non-solid, self-healing electrolyte and radial leads, are suitble for smoothing, filtering, buffering and voltage decoupling in dc-dc converting switching power supplies. The applicaition areas can be industrial, automotive, telecommunications, and military systems.

The 146 RTI capacitors offer long useful life of 2500 hours to 6000 hours at +125 °C. The RoHS-compliant devices are charge- and discharge-proof, so there is no peak current limitation.

Samples and production quantities of the 146 RTI capacitors are available now, with lead times of 15 weeks for larger orders.