Executive Summary

In the global high-voltage power electronics sector, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. of Japan has long defined the passive component standards for medical imaging, industrial inspection, and precision high-voltage power supply industries with its DHS (Doorknob/Bolt-type) and DHR (Radial Lead-type) series high-voltage ceramic capacitors. However, with Murata's announcement in 2018 to discontinue its entire high-voltage ceramic capacitor product line, the global supply chain faced an unprecedented "supply disruption" crisis.

HVC Capacitor, leveraging over two decades of deep expertise in high-voltage passive components, swiftly filled this market void. HVC not only provides Pin-to-Pin physical replacement solutions for Murata's discontinued models but also achieves technical superiority in voltage rating (extended to 100kV), high-frequency loss control, and temperature stability, thanks to its independently developed N4700 (Class I) ceramic dielectric technology. This white paper will deeply analyze how HVC assists global high-end manufacturing enterprises in rebuilding a secure, diversified, and high-performance supply chain system.

1. Industry Background: From "Industry Benchmark" to "Supply Chain Grey Rhino"

For a long time, Murata's high-voltage ceramic capacitors were considered the "gold standard" in the industry due to their excellent voltage margin, extremely low partial discharge, and high-frequency stability, earning the trust of customers in Europe, America, and Japan.

1.1 Market Impact of the Discontinuation Event

In the autumn of 2018, Murata, based on a global business strategy adjustment—to concentrate resources on the high-growth electric vehicle (EV) MLCC market—decided to completely discontinue its high-voltage ceramic capacitor business (covering the full range from 2kV to 50kV). This sudden decision was like a "grey rhino," impacting high-end equipment manufacturers worldwide who relied on its specific specifications.

• DHS Series (Doorknob): As a core component of high-voltage generators for CT machines and X-ray machines, its discontinuation directly threatened the maintenance and new production of global medical equipment.
• DHR Series (Radial Lead): Widely used in negative ion generators, electrostatic sprayers, and laser power supplies, the discontinuation led to a need for redesigns for a large number of small and medium power modules.

1.2 Severe Challenges Faced

For equipment manufacturers, Murata's exit was not just about replacing a supplier:

1. Safety Certification Barriers: Medical and industrial control equipment typically undergoes stringent certifications such as FDA, UL, and CE. Replacing critical components often requires lengthy and costly re-testing for whole-machine safety compliance.
2. Technical Parameter Matching: High-voltage capacitors involve complex electrical characteristics (e.g., dielectric loss, voltage coefficient, frequency response characteristics). Ordinary low-end alternatives on the market often fail to operate stably under high frequency and high voltage, easily leading to catastrophic failures.
3. Physical Size Constraints: PCB layouts and mechanical space are already fixed, making it extremely difficult to find replacements with identical dimensions, pin spacing, and thread specifications.

1. HVC's Solution: Comprehensive Engineering-Grade Replacement

Facing this market gap, HVC Capacitor responded swiftly, launching a dedicated replacement program in 2018, committed to becoming the engineering-grade replacement standard for Murata high-voltage capacitors. HVC's solution covers the full voltage range from 2kV to 100kV, thoroughly mitigating single-source risk through the following core dimensions.

2.1 Core Technology: In-depth Analysis of N4700 Ceramic Dielectric

The core of the replacement lies in the material. HVC possesses its independently developed N4700 (Class I) ceramic dielectric formula, which is key to achieving "seamless replacement."

• Extremely Low Dissipation Factor:

Murata's high-voltage capacitors were classic due to their low heat generation at high frequencies. HVC's N4700 dielectric has a dissipation factor \tan\delta < 0.2\%. In the high-frequency voltage multiplier circuits (20kHz-100kHz) of X-ray machines, this means extremely low self-heating of the capacitor, allowing for long-term stable operation even in oil-filled, sealed oil tanks. In contrast, ordinary Y5T (Class II) materials typically have a loss of around 1%, which can easily lead to thermal breakdown.

• Excellent Temperature Stability:

N4700 is a temperature-compensating ceramic. Its capacitance change rate is controlled within ±5% over a wide temperature range of -30°C to +85°C. This ensures consistent output accuracy of high-voltage power supplies during cold start and full-load operation.

• No Piezoelectric Effect:

Unlike high-dielectric-constant Class II ceramics, N4700 does not exhibit a significant piezoelectric effect. When operating with high-frequency pulses, the capacitor does not generate mechanical vibrations or audible noise, thereby avoiding the formation of internal micro-cracks and significantly extending its service life.

2.2 Manufacturing Process: Crossing the 100kV Technical Threshold

Murata's original product line typically capped at 50kV. HVC, through its special Internal Series Construction and unique vacuum encapsulation process, successfully extended the voltage withstand boundary of ceramic capacitors to 100kV and even higher.

This capability allows HVC not only to replace Murata's existing 20kV, 30kV, 40kV products but also to provide technical support for next-generation ultra-high voltage industrial CT (160kV+), particle accelerators, and pulsed power systems, areas previously unattainable by the original manufacturer's products.

1. Detailed Model Cross Reference

To facilitate quick selection for engineers, HVC has established a comprehensive database. Below is a detailed cross-reference table of Murata's popular discontinued models and their corresponding HVC models, with all parameters verified by actual measurements.

3.1 DHS Series (Doorknob/Bolt-type) Replacement Cross Reference

• Application Scenarios: CT machine high-voltage generators, X-ray machine voltage multiplier circuits, high-power laser power supplies*

This series of capacitors typically adopts a "doorknob" structure with threaded terminals at both ends. HVC offers various terminal options, including Metric (M4/M5/M6) and Imperial (UNF 10-32), ensuring 100% mechanical installation compatibility.

3.2 DHR Series (Radial Lead-type) Replacement Cross Reference

• Application Scenarios: Handheld flaw detectors, electrostatic spray guns, negative ion generators*

This series consists of epoxy resin encapsulated radial lead-type capacitors. HVC strictly controls pin pitch, ensuring no PCB redesign is required.

• > Note: HVC model naming convention: DL = N4700, DP = Y5P, E = Z5U; F value = Pin Pitch (mm).*

1. Supply Chain Resilience and Value-Added Services

Adopting HVC as an alternative solution is not just about solving stock shortages; it's a comprehensive upgrade to supply chain resilience.

4.1 Rapid Delivery and Flexible Manufacturing

Compared to Murata's lead times of 16-24 weeks before discontinuation, HVC, relying on its flat management structure and efficient production system, offers highly competitive delivery speeds:

• 1kV-6kV Standard Products: Lead time only 3-5 days.
• 10kV-30kV Regular Products: Lead time 2-3 weeks.
• Bolt-type Custom Products: Lead time 4-8 weeks.

4.2 "Design-in" Level Customization Services

HVC provides in-depth customization services that Murata could not offer:

• Dimension Fine-tuning: Capacitor diameter or thickness can be adjusted based on extreme PCB space constraints.
• Special Leads: Offers L-shaped, Z-shaped bent leads, fixed-length cut leads, and special threaded terminal customization.
• Ultra-High Voltage Customization: Provides customized solutions for 60kV, 80kV, and even 100kV.

4.3 Global Network and Local Support

HVC has established a mature international distribution network, with authorized distributors across major economies such as Germany, France, the UK, the US, Japan, South Korea, and India. This provides customers with convenient localized procurement, logistics warehousing, buffer stock, and after-sales value-added services.

1. Market Validation and Success Stories

Since 2018, HVC's alternative solutions have undergone rigorous validation and mass production adoption by numerous Fortune 500 companies worldwide, proving their reliability as Murata's successor.

• Medical Imaging Field:

In CT and X-ray machine projects for GE Healthcare, Philips, Siemens Healthineers, and leading domestic medical imaging companies, HVC capacitors have been successfully used in 80kV-140kV high-voltage generator oil tank modules. After tens of thousands of hours of clinical validation, HVC products exhibit a failure rate lower than the industry average.

• Industrial Non-Destructive Testing (NDT):

In the supply chains of Japanese companies like Nikon (Industrial CT) and Shimadzu, HVC products, with their high vibration resistance (reinforced epoxy encapsulation) and high insulation resistance, have adapted to harsh outdoor operating environments, successfully replacing Murata DHR series.

• Frontier Scientific Research and Energy:

• *ABB**'s smart grid protection equipment and various university physics laboratories (e.g., plasma research, Marx generators) extensively use HVC's 100kV-class ultra-high voltage capacitors, solving the research supply disruption problem after Murata's discontinuation.

1. Conclusion

While the discontinuation of Murata's high-voltage ceramic capacitors brought short-term turbulence to the global supply chain, it also provided an opportunity for equipment manufacturers to review supply chain security and optimize component selection.

• *HVC Capacitor, with its profound understanding of N4700 ceramic dielectric technology, 100kV+ manufacturing capability, and full range Pin-to-Pin replacement solutions**, has undeniably become the most authoritative successor in this field after Murata's discontinuation. For engineers pursuing supply chain security and technical performance, HVC is not just an alternative brand but a trusted long-term partner in the high-voltage power electronics sector.

1. Contact and Technical Support

If you are looking for replacements for Murata's discontinued series, or have any needs regarding high-voltage capacitor selection or customization, HVC's replacement engineering team is ready to provide support.

• Business Inquiry Email: sales@hv-caps.com">sales@hv-caps.com
• Official Website: www.hv-caps.com

We are committed to providing free sample testing and OEM-level technical support for all replacement projects, jointly promoting the continuous development of high-voltage technology.