Capacitor failure describes the termination of a capacitor’s ability to perform its intended function within an electronic circuit. This malfunction can manifest in several ways, including a complete open circuit (no conduction), a short circuit (unintended conduction), a decrease in capacitance value, or an increase in equivalent series resistance (ESR). The consequences of such incidents range from subtle performance degradation to catastrophic system failure.
Understanding the mechanisms behind these malfunctions is crucial for ensuring the reliability and longevity of electronic devices. Properly designed circuits incorporating appropriate capacitor selection mitigates risk and enhances overall system performance. A historical awareness of materials science advancements and manufacturing process improvements illustrates a continuing effort to minimize these issues.
