kondensatorläckage

Kondensatorläckage, often referred to as capacitor leakage, is a phenomenon where a capacitor does not perfectly block the flow of direct current. Ideally, a capacitor acts as an open circuit to DC once it is fully charged, meaning no current should flow through it. However, in reality, a small amount of current, known as leakage current, can still pass through the dielectric material of the capacitor.

This leakage is typically caused by imperfections in the dielectric material, such as microscopic voids or impurities, or by surface contamination. The magnitude of the leakage current depends on several factors, including the capacitor's construction, the type of dielectric material used, the applied voltage, and the temperature. Electrolytic capacitors, for instance, are known to have higher leakage currents compared to other types like ceramic or film capacitors.

While often negligible in many applications, significant capacitor leakage can lead to various problems. In power supply circuits, it can cause reduced efficiency and increased power dissipation as heat. In timing circuits or charge-coupled devices (CCDs), leakage can affect the accuracy and stability of the circuit's operation. In sensitive analog circuits, leakage can introduce noise and distortion.

Mitigation strategies include selecting capacitors with low leakage specifications for the intended application, ensuring proper operating conditions such as temperature limits, and sometimes employing additional circuitry to compensate for leakage effects. Testing for leakage is a common part of capacitor quality control.