This whitepaper explores the critical role of the electrolytic capacitor as the "weakest link" in a product's useful life. It details how environmental factors, specifically thermal and voltage impacts, can significantly reduce a capacitor's longevity. By applying appropriate derating techniques, designers can mitigate these effects and extend the product's useful life. Using data from the exida FMEDA database, the paper provides a methodology for identifying components most likely to fail first and offers specific recommendations for specifying and derating electrolytic capacitors to maximize their operational lifespan.
