Overview
IEC 60384-25:2021 is the sectional specification for fixed aluminium electrolytic surface-mount capacitors with conductive polymer solid electrolyte. Published by the IEC (Edition 3.0, July 2021, with the May 2023 corrigendum included), this standard applies to capacitors primarily intended for DC applications in electronic equipment. Its purpose is to define preferred ratings and characteristics, select appropriate tests and measuring methods from IEC 60384-1:2016, and specify general performance and quality-assessment requirements for this capacitor family.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard organizes technical content and test procedures to ensure reliable performance of aluminium electrolytic surface-mount capacitors (conductive polymer). Major topics include:
- Preferred ratings and characteristics: nominal capacitance, tolerance, rated voltage, category voltage, surge voltage, and rated temperature.
- Electrical measurements: leakage current, capacitance, tangent of loss angle (tan δ), equivalent series resistance (ESR) and impedance (when required).
- Thermal and mechanical tests: resistance to soldering heat, solderability, shear and substrate-bending tests, and characteristics at high and low temperature.
- Environmental and lifecycle tests: rapid change of temperature, climatic sequence, damp heat (steady state and cyclic), surge voltage testing, endurance, storage at high temperature, and high surge current (if required).
- Reliability and quality assurance: qualification approval procedures, lot-by-lot inspection, periodic inspection schedules, and certified test records.
- Marking and documentation: marking on components and packaging and details required in a product detail specification.
The 2021 edition aligns the structure with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2:2018 and harmonizes clause and table content to avoid duplication and contradictions.
Practical applications and users
IEC 60384-25 is essential for stakeholders involved with surface-mount capacitors and their integration into electronic designs:
- Capacitor manufacturers - for product development, type approval and production quality control.
- Component engineers and procurement teams - to specify and evaluate parts for power supplies, decoupling, filtering and other DC applications.
- PCB designers and electronics OEMs - to choose components meeting soldering, thermal and mechanical requirements.
- Test laboratories and quality-assurance teams - to perform standardized electrical, environmental and mechanical tests.
Using this standard helps ensure consistent performance (ESR, leakage, endurance), reliable solderability, and compliance with international testing and qualification practices.
Related standards
- IEC 60384-1:2016 - General definitions, test methods and measuring procedures for fixed capacitors for use in electronic equipment.
- ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2:2018 - structural guidance applied to this edition.
Keywords: IEC 60384-25, aluminium electrolytic surface mount capacitors, conductive polymer, ESR, leakage current, solderability, endurance, quality assessment.