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WL Series Film Capacitors

Product information "WL Series Film Capacitors"

Cornell Dubilier CDE (formerly NWL)’s WL-Series are high energy capacitors used in pulse power and power conditioning applications. With welded metal cases of stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, or brass, these robust oil-filled capacitors offer the highest energy stored per unit, typically 3-100 kJ. Large diameter, low profile bushings provide minimum inductance for fast discharge and high frequency response compared to Equivalent Cornell Dubilier CDE WF-series capacitors with upright bushings. For maximum peak power, an available option is a 100 kVDC (under oil) bushing with a coaxial current return ring enabling the capacitor to have less than 40 nH of inductance and deliver up to a 250 kA repetitive peak pulse current. Internal construction is customized for the application and both self-healing and non-self-healing versions are available.

WL-Series capacitors are well suited for high energy storage and discharge in applications including:

  • High energy Marx generators
  • Pulsed magnetic field generators
  • EM forming and impact welding
  • Electromagnetic launchers and accelerators
  • EMP simulators
  • Pulsed X-ray generators
  • Lightning simulators
  • High energy physics experiments

Unique features of the WL-Series capacitor include:

  • High voltage low profile terminals – With large diameter plastic insulators, this series of capacitors operates at high voltages while keeping resistance and inductance at a minimum.
  • Large welded metal packages – Utilizing well-established and proven vacuum-pressure impregnation processes, these fabricated and welded cases of stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum or brass are able to package capacitors ranging from tens of pounds to more than 500 lbs per unit.
  • Live case connection – For applications requiring minimal inductance, parallel-plate buswork requires low profile high voltage bushings and proximate or coaxial current return connections to the capacitor case. WL-Series offers threaded insert or screw high voltage terminals and either weldnuts or coaxial rings for case connections. A 100 kVdc, 250 kA bushing/terminal with coaxial current return ring is available. Weldnuts and/or brackets can be provided for mounting/securing.
  • Dead case – For applications requiring an isolated (typically grounded) case and two high voltage terminals at up to +/-50 kV, smaller diameter low profile bushings are available.
Manufacturer "Knowles (former NWL-Cornell Dubilier CDE)"

Knowles Corporation is a global provider of high performance capacitors and radio frequency (RF) products, balanced armature speakers, advanced micro-acoustic microphones, and audio solutions. The Company's segments include Precision Devices (PD), and Medtech & Specialty Audio (MSA). The PD segment specializes in the design and delivery of high-performance capacitor products and RF solutions primarily serving the defense, medtech, electric vehicle, and industrial markets. The MSA segment designs and manufactures balanced armature speakers and microphones used in applications that serve the hearing health and premium audio markets. The Company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and to their contract manufacturers and suppliers and through distributors worldwide. 

Knowles also continues the legacy of NWL and Cornell Dubilier Electronics (CDE) with a broad portfolio of advanced capacitor technology that is used in demanding industrial applications, e.g., custom, high-voltage DC and AC film capacitors for pulsed power and power conversion applications, including water-cooled devices, capacitors for fast switching IGBTs, DC link capacitors, air-cooled capacitors for harmonic AC or high-voltage DC filtering, DC filter and DC pulse capacitors or oil-filled capacitors for pulse power and power conditioning applications.

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