Quick Summary
- SMD Electrolytic Capacitors 4×5.4mm deliver 1–100 µF at up to 50 V.
- They suit SMPS filtering, decoupling, audio coupling, and hold-up circuits.
- Choose 105°C liquid types for general use; polymer types for high-frequency stages.
- Browse Nichicon, Rubycon, and Lelon options on LCSC with real-time stock.
SMD electrolytic capacitors in the 4×5.4mm footprint are essential passive components. They store energy in a thin aluminium oxide dielectric layer. Engineers use them across power supplies, IoT devices, and audio circuits. This guide covers specs, variants, applications, and sourcing on LCSC.
What are SMD Electrolytic Capacitors 4×5.4mm?
An SMD electrolytic capacitor is a polarised, passive component. It stores charge between an anodised aluminium anode and a cathode foil. The electrolyte between them completes the electrochemical cell. The ‘4×5.4mm’ designation means 4 mm diameter and 5.4 mm height.
This package is also listed as D4.0-H5.4 or SMD-E series. It uses a standardised 4.3 mm × 4.3 mm land pattern on a PCB. Therefore, it integrates seamlessly into automated pick-and-place lines.
How the Dielectric Works
The Al₂O₃ dielectric layer is only 7–14 nm thick. This nanometre-scale thickness enables very high capacitance per unit volume. For example, a single cell can deliver 100 µF at 10 V. In comparison, an MLCC of the same size stores far less energy.
However, the component is polarity-sensitive. Reverse-biasing beyond ~1 V breaks down the dielectric. As a result, engineers must observe the cathode stripe during assembly.
Electrical Model
The device model includes a capacitor, an ESR, and an ESL in series. A leakage-current path runs in parallel. ESR ranges from 100 mΩ to several ohms. In switching power supplies, this ESR dominates ripple-current heating.
Key Features of SMD Electrolytic Capacitors 4×5.4mm
High Volumetric Capacitance
The ultra-thin dielectric allows up to 100 µF in a tiny body. This is orders of magnitude more than a similarly sized MLCC. Therefore, electrolytic capacitors remain the first choice for bulk energy storage.
Compact SMD Footprint
The 5.4 mm height fits within IPC-7711/7721 profile limits. It is fully compatible with reflow soldering and pick-and-place assembly. In addition, the standardised land pattern simplifies PCB layout across designs.
Wide Capacitance and Voltage Range
Within one footprint, capacitance spans 1 µF to 100 µF. Voltage ratings range from 6.3 V to 50 V. As a result, designers can standardise on one package across multiple power rails.
Cost Efficiency at Scale
Unit prices on LCSC fall below USD 0.05 in tape-and-reel quantities. The mature manufacturing process keeps costs low. This makes them ideal for high-volume IoT and consumer electronics designs.
Built-In Safety Vent
A scored pressure-relief vent sits in the aluminium can crown. It ruptures in a controlled way if catastrophic overvoltage occurs. IEC 60384-4 mandates this feature for densely packed PCB assemblies.
Technical Specifications
The table below shows typical values across the 4×5.4mm product family. Always consult the manufacturer datasheet for the chosen part number.
| Parameter | Symbol | Typical Range | Unit | Notes |
| Capacitance Range | C | 1 – 100 | µF | At 20°C, 120 Hz; ±20% tolerance |
| Rated Voltage | UR | 6.3 – 50 | V DC | Surge voltage ≤1.15 × UR |
| Operating Temperature | T | -40 to +105 | °C | 105°C grade standard; 85°C available |
| Equivalent Series Resistance | ESR | 0.10 – 5.0 | Ω | At 100 kHz, 20°C |
| Leakage Current | IL | ≤0.01 × C × UR or 3 µA | µA | After 2 min at rated voltage |
| Ripple Current (max) | IR | 20 – 200 | mA rms | At 100 kHz, 105°C |
| Lifetime | LO | 1000 – 2000 | h | At rated voltage and max temperature |
Electrolyte Variants and Configuration
Standard Liquid vs. Polymer Types
Standard liquid electrolyte types offer the broadest capacitance-voltage range. They are also the most economical option. Solid-polymer types provide ESR below 30 mΩ. Therefore, they suit high-frequency DC-DC output stages where self-heating is a concern.
Temperature Grade Selection
Engineers can choose 85°C or 105°C rated grades. The 105°C grade uses a higher-boiling-point electrolyte. This resists evaporation and extends service life under elevated ambient conditions. For general use, the 105°C grade is recommended even in cooler environments.
Packaging and RoHS Compliance
The standard format is tape-and-reel on 8 mm embossed carrier tape. This is mandatory for automated SMT lines. MSL is typically MSL 1 per J-STD-020. Consequently, no baking or dry-pack storage is required before reflow. All modern variants use lead-free Sn-plated copper terminations.
Common Application Scenarios
SMPS Output Filtering
High-frequency ripple from a switching inductor continuously charges the output capacitor. This generates I²R heat within the ESR. A 100 µF / 25 V SMD electrolytic in the 4×5.4mm package attenuates this ripple effectively.
Two or three capacitors in parallel divide the ripple-current stress. This approach avoids the cost of a solid-polymer variant. The formula for minimum capacitance is: C_out = I_out × D × (1−D) / (f_sw × ΔV_out).
Microcontroller Power Rail Decoupling
During RF transmission, current can spike to 100–300 mA on a 3.3 V supply rail. This creates voltage droop that causes brown-out resets or corrupted packets. A 47 µF / 10 V SMD electrolytic placed near the RF module power pins solves this.
It acts as a local charge reservoir. The compact 4×5.4mm body fits within tight RF module keep-out zones. In addition, it avoids a board spin when retrofitted to existing layouts.
Audio Amplifier Coupling and Bypass
Single-supply audio designs must block DC bias from the speaker output. A 47–100 µF SMD electrolytic in the 4×5.4mm package achieves a −3 dB frequency of 3–6 Hz into a 470 Ω load. This is well below the audible band.
The polarity must be observed. The positive plate should face the higher DC potential side of the signal path.
Hold-Up SMD electrolytic capacitors 4×5.4mm in Supervisory Circuits
Industrial PLCs and medical monitors need a brief hold-up interval after mains loss. This allows firmware to flush critical data to non-volatile memory. One or more 100 µF / 50 V capacitors provide calculable hold-up via E = 0.5 × C × (V_start² − V_min²).
This approach is more space-efficient than through-hole alternatives. Furthermore, it is far more economical than supercapacitors for hold-up requirements below 200 ms.
Manufacturing Standards and Procurement
Applicable Standards
These capacitors are manufactured to IEC 60384-4. Reliability screening follows JEDEC JESD22 stress tests including operating life (A108), damp heat (A101), and temperature cycling (A104). Land pattern design follows IPC-7351B. All lead-free variants comply with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU.
Sourcing on LCSC
Leading manufacturers for the 4×5.4mm package include Nichicon, Rubycon, Panasonic, Lelon, and CapXon. All are available on LCSC with full datasheet access and real-time stock. Minimum order quantities are 100–500 pieces for tape-and-reel.
For stable supply, prioritise ‘Basic’ or ‘Preferred’ parts on LCSC. These carry larger stock buffers and longer lifecycle commitments. Cross-qualifying two manufacturers — for example, Nichicon and Lelon — mitigates single-source risk.
Lifetime Derating Best Practice
The Arrhenius model predicts that lifetime doubles for every 10°C below the rated temperature. For instance, a 2000 h / 105°C part theoretically lasts 16,000 h at 65°C. Therefore, specify 105°C-grade parts even when ambient temperatures rarely exceed 70°C.
Also, derate operating voltage to 80% of the rated value. This further extends field life. Always download the latest datasheet from LCSC, as ESR values are updated when electrolyte formulations improve.
SMD electrolytic capacitors 4×5.4mm Variant Comparison
The table below compares the five main electrolyte variants available in the 4×5.4mm package.
| Type | Key Spec | Best For | Trade-off |
| Standard Liquid (85°C) | ESR: 0.5–5 Ω | Low-cost filtering, hold-up | Shorter life; higher ESR |
| Standard Liquid (105°C) | ESR: 0.3–3 Ω | General SMT; industrial range | Slightly higher cost |
| Low-ESR Liquid | ESR: 0.1–0.5 Ω | DC-DC output; ripple-sensitive rails | Premium cost; tighter supply |
| Conductive Polymer | ESR: 10–50 mΩ | High-frequency switching, automotive | Higher price; max 25 V |
| Hybrid (Liquid + Polymer) | ESR: 30–80 mΩ | Wide voltage range up to 50 V | Most expensive; longer lead times |
For most consumer and IoT designs below 85°C ambient, the standard 105°C liquid type offers the best balance of cost, availability, and reliability. Above 100 kHz switching frequencies, consider low-ESR liquid or polymer variants to control self-heating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How Do I Calculate Output Filter Capacitance?
Use the buck converter formula: C_out = I_out × D × (1−D) / (f_sw × ΔV_out). For example, a 1 A load at 50% duty cycle, 100 kHz, and 50 mV ripple gives C_out ≈ 50 µF. Always add 20–30% margin for tolerance and derating. In addition, verify that ESR-induced ripple (I_ripple × ESR) does not dominate the total ripple budget.
Q2: Which Standards Apply to These SMD electrolytic capacitors 4×5.4mm?
The primary product standard is IEC 60384-4. It covers performance, marking, testing, and quality assessment. Environmental tests follow JEDEC JESD22 (A108, A101, A104). Land pattern design follows IPC-7351B, and assembly acceptance follows IPC-A-610.
Q3: What Is the Expected Service Life?
Most 4×5.4mm types are rated 1000–2000 hours at maximum temperature and voltage. The Arrhenius model predicts life doubles every 10°C below the rated temperature. To maximise life, derate voltage to 80% of rated value. Also, avoid exceeding the maximum ripple-current rating, which causes self-heating.
Q4: When Should I Upgrade to a Polymer Variant?
Standard liquid types are cost-optimal below 10 kHz and at modest ripple currents. However, above 100 kHz, P = I_ripple² × ESR causes significant self-heating. If a standard liquid capacitor would operate above 70% of its ripple-current rating, upgrade to a low-ESR or polymer type. This reduces self-heating by 3–10 times and improves MTBF.
Q5: How Do I Source These Parts Reliably on LCSC?
Filter by package size D4.0xL5.4mm or search ‘4×5.4’ in the SMD aluminium electrolytic category on LCSC. First, prioritise ‘Basic’ or ‘Preferred’ parts for stock stability. Second, cross-check stock levels against your quarterly demand. Finally, use LCSC’s batch ordering tool to consolidate tape-and-reel shipments and reduce per-unit freight cost.
Conclusion: Choosing SMD Electrolytic Capacitors 4×5.4mm
The 4×5.4mm SMD electrolytic capacitor is a versatile, cost-effective solution for power filtering and energy storage. It covers 1–100 µF at up to 50 V within a compact, automation-ready footprint. For most designs, the 105°C liquid type is the right starting point.
In summary, select the correct voltage rating with a 20% derating margin, choose polymer types above 100 kHz, and source from qualified manufacturers on LCSC. Follow the Arrhenius derating rules to maximise field reliability. As a result, this component will perform reliably across consumer, industrial, and IoT applications.
Find What You Need on LCSC
Browse SMD electrolytic capacitors 4×5.4mm on LCSC — real-time stock, datasheets, and tape-and-reel ordering from Nichicon, Rubycon, Lelon, and more.
