[sdiy] what does low-k mean?? and how do i tell a high-k ceramic cap?

[harry bissell]

"k" refers to the dielectric used in the cap.

"low k" types (usually NP0 or COG) have dielectrics that are fairly
temperature, tolerance, and voltage stable.

"high k" are physically smaller... but suffer from worse (to awful)
tolerance, change capacitance with applied voltage (AC distortion)
and with temperature. Some are even microphonic !!!

As was mentioned... use Hi-k only when you need to
have 'some' capacitance but don't give a sh!t how much...

H^) harry


Brett Maddaford wrote:
> Hi All
>  
> I've asked this question of a few people in the know and none of them
> really know what is meant by low-k ceramic caps??? a few items i ahve
> built specify low-k ceramic caps in the build guide and to avoid the
> cheaper high-k caps. I ahve even asked this when ordering parts and
> suppliers have ni idea what im on about....anyone able to explain what
> it means and how i tell low-k from high-k?
>  
> Thanks
> Brett
>
>
>
>