Electric Double Layer Capacitors (EDLC), Supercapacitors

Electric double layer capacitors and supercapacitors are specialized electrolytic (polarized) capacitors that offer extremely high capacitance values relative to their physical size and low voltage ratings. While individual devices typically have ratings of only a few volts, products consisting of multiple series-connected devices are available to achieve higher voltage ratings. Although these capacitors exhibit losses that are generally higher than other electrolytic capacitors, they still perform better than electrochemical cells in terms of low losses and high cycle counts. As a result, they are frequently used in applications requiring high power density or frequent charge/discharge cycles. Electric double layer capacitors and supercapacitors are often used as an alternative to batteries in applications that require rapid charging and discharging, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. They can also be found in backup power supplies, industrial control systems, and other applications where reliability and high performance are critical. In summary, electric double layer capacitors and supercapacitors are specialized electrolytic capacitors with exceptionally high capacitance values relative to their size and low voltage ratings. Despite exhibiting higher losses compared to other electrolytic capacitors, they are often used as alternatives to batteries in applications requiring high power density or frequent charge/discharge cycles. These capacitors find use in a wide range of applications, including electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, and backup power supplies.