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Frequently Asked Questions
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Vishay BCcomponents
Revision: 18-Oct-17
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Document Number: 28446
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196 HVC ENYCAP™
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: HOW CAN AN HVC SERIES DEVICE BE CHARGED?
A: The HVC series can be charged via:
• Constant voltage (CV) at RT using a series resistor from an accurate CV source (same as for EDLC). 
For pulse charging, the fast charge voltage must not be exceeded and the maximum pulse duration has to be respected
• Constant current (CC) with voltage limitation
• IC charging controllers with an external charging IC, e.g.: LTC3355 (see evaluation kit MAL219699001E3)
Q: WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED CHARGE AND DISCHARGE CYCLES OF THE HVC SERIES?
A: • The cycle life is dependent on the charge and discharge conditions
• The 196 HVC series is able to perform up to 100 000 cycles, depending on the depth of the discharge and temperature
Q: WHAT IS THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF THE 196 HVC SERIES?
A: • The operating temperature is -20 °C to +85 °C (15 F / 45 F / 90 F) and to a maximum of +70 °C for 4 F
• Please note: performance on charge or discharge and also cycle life / endurance depend on operating temperatures
Q: WHY HAVE THE 196 HVC IN A SERIES CONNECTION WITH AN UNCHANGED CAPACITANCE:
C1  C2  …  Cn ?
A: • This is a result of applied balancing of the internal energy storage principles:
- Electrochemical energy storage (Faradaic reactions)
- Electrical double layer storage (electrostatic energy storage)
• The 196 HVC series uses a combination of the above processes in a hybrid technology, which offers nearly the same
capacitance (F) in a series connection as for the single capacitor
Q: WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF 196 HVC CELLS VERSUS BATTERIES?
A: • HVC systems are maintenance-free and usually have a longer lifetime expectancy
• Due to their recharge ability over the full operating life, they are able to supply more backup energy than a comparable
battery (batteries would have to be replaced)
• HVC systems have the higher permissible maximum operating temperature (85 °C vs. below 60 °C or 40 °C)
• The HVC series has lower series resistance, allowing higher currents (burst power support) and usually higher power
density
• HVC devices are more cycle-resistant than (rechargeable) batteries and are more safe than lithium batteries
Q: WHAT IS THE DISADVANTAGE OF 196 HVC CELLS VERSUS BATTERIES?
A: • 196 HVC systems have less energy density than batteries
• The self-discharge of HVC systems is usually higher than for batteries
Q: HOW IS THE SELF-DISCHARGE OF THE HVC SERIES?
A: • Classical EDLCs have a higher self-discharge than the 196 HVC.
At room temperature, EDLC products are usually discharged within 10 to 30 days
• The HVC series has a very low self-discharge rate, which can be less than 5 % per month or less than 15 % after three
months
• The self-discharge rate increases with temperature
Q: ARE 196 HVC SERIES CAPACITORS RoHS-COMPLIANT?
A: Yes, see our official RoHS statements for further details.
Q: ARE 196 HVC SERIES CAPACITORS SUSCEPTIBLE TO VIBRATION?
A: 196 HVC ENYCAP capacitors are approved up to 10 g for safe use in consumer, automotive, and industrial environments.