MLCC Types Explained: General, HV, RF High-Q & Non-Magnetic

MLCC Design Guide

A clear and practical breakdown of the four MLCC families engineers rely on — and how to pick the right type for your design.
Explore all MLCC series →

Multilayer Ceramic Chip Capacitors (MLCCs) sit at the core of almost every modern electronic design — from smartphones and EV inverters to RF front-ends, servers, sensors, and industrial controllers. But not all MLCCs behave the same. Dielectric systems, voltage structures, electrode materials and Q-factors dramatically change how a capacitor performs under real-world electrical stress.

This guide explains the four key MLCC types used today and when each one delivers the best performance.

• JYS — General-Purpose MLCCs
• JYT — High-Voltage MLCCs
• JYU — RF / High-Q MLCCs
• JYV — RF High-Q Non-Magnetic MLCCs

We also included a production-line walkthrough video for engineers evaluating manufacturing quality and process control.

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1. JYS — General-Purpose MLCCs

Ideal for: decoupling, filtering, bypassing, oscillators, general signal conditioning
Dielectrics: NP0/C0G, X7R, X5R, X6S, X7S, Y5V
Size range: 0201 to 2225
Capacitance: pF to tens of µF

JYS is the widely used “workhorse” MLCC series. C0G/NP0 provides exceptional frequency and temperature stability, making it a preferred choice for timing circuits, filters and low-drift signal paths. X7R/X5R variants offer high capacitance density and solid reliability for power-rail decoupling and bulk bypassing.

Product page:
https://jbcapacitors.com/product/jys-smd-multilayer-ceramic-chip-capacitors/

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2. JYT — High-Voltage MLCCs

Ideal for: EV inverters, LED drivers, SMPS, high-surge and transient-heavy nodes
Strength: reinforced ceramic layers and extended voltage robustness

JYT MLCCs handle voltage levels typically requiring larger film capacitors — but in a compact SMD form factor. These are built for high electric-field stress, repetitive surge pulses and environments where ripple and transient spikes are common. Engineers use HV MLCCs to reduce board real estate without sacrificing safety margins.

Product page:
https://jbcapacitors.com/product/jyt-smd-ceramic-chip-capacitors-high-voltage/

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3. JYU — RF / High-Q MLCCs

Ideal for: RF filters, VCOs, impedance matching, resonant tanks, microwave applications

• High Q factor for minimal energy loss
• Low ESR at RF frequencies
• Tight tolerance for predictable tuning

JYU MLCCs maintain stable capacitance and Q over RF and microwave frequencies, making them suitable for wireless modules, RF front-ends, satellite equipment and precision oscillators. The series is engineered to minimize phase distortion and thermal drift — critical for high-frequency design integrity.

Product page:
https://jbcapacitors.com/product/jyu-smd-high-q-rf-capacitors/

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4. JYV — RF High-Q Non-Magnetic MLCCs

Ideal for: MRI coils, medical imaging, RF measurement instruments
Key advantage: zero magnetic interference

Standard MLCCs contain magnetic nickel electrodes. In MRI and precision RF systems, even small magnetic signatures can distort measurements or introduce image artifacts. JYV MLCCs eliminate this issue by using non-magnetic electrodes and terminations, ensuring signal purity and accurate RF performance.

Product page:
https://jbcapacitors.com/product/jyv-radio-frequency-high-q-non-magnetic-multilayer-chip-ceramic-capacitors/

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MLCC Production Line — Full Video

Watch how MLCCs are produced — from tape casting and stacking to sintering, plating and AOI.

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Which MLCC Should You Choose?

Application	Recommended Series	Reason
General decoupling / filtering	JYS	Broad dielectric selection and stable characteristics
High-surge power paths	JYT	High-voltage ceramic structure
RF matching & tuning	JYU	High Q, low ESR, RF-stable capacitance
MRI / precision RF	JYV	Non-magnetic design eliminates interference

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SMD MLCC & Thick Film Resistor Guide｜General, High Voltage, RF, Automotive, High Power

Design Guide · SMD MLCC & Thick Film Chip Resistors

Surface-mount multilayer ceramic capacitors (SMD MLCCs) and thick film chip resistors appear in every modern PCB. Their interaction directly affects noise, EMC, stability, surge behaviour and long-term reliability. This guide explains how to choose jb MLCC + resistor combinations for general-purpose, high voltage, RF, automotive and high-power applications.

1. Why the MLCC + thick film resistor pairing matters

MLCCs lose capacitance under DC bias and temperature, while thick film resistors heat up under load or surge. These real-world effects change RC timing, filtering and impedance behaviour. Using matched jb components ensures alignment in derating, surge performance and qualification data.

2. Key application areas

2.1 General-purpose logic & control

General-purpose MLCCs provide decoupling; jb resistors set bias, pull-ups and timing constants.

2.2 High voltage rails

High voltage MLCCs handle dv/dt and EMI. High-value resistors discharge capacitors and divide DC buses.

2.3 RF & high-frequency

Low-loss MLCCs support matching networks; precision resistors maintain stable impedance and termination.

2.4 Automotive & harsh environments

AEC-Q200 MLCCs and anti-sulfur resistors withstand vibration, humidity and long-term stress.

2.5 High power & surge-intensive applications

Surge-rated resistors and ripple-capable MLCCs protect LED drivers, motor control and industrial power stages.

3. Quick selection checklist

• Define RC role: decoupling, timing, sensing, snubbing or protection.
• Select MLCC voltage with DC-bias derating (2× recommended).
• Check resistor pulse-load and surge capability.
• Review layout: creepage, clearance and thermal spacing.

4. Understanding real-world behaviour in MLCC + resistor networks

Most design issues appear not on the schematic, but on the PCB when components operate under real electrical and environmental stress. MLCC capacitance can drop by 40–80% under DC bias depending on dielectric type, case size and temperature. This reduction directly affects timing circuits, EMI filters and snubber networks, causing overshoot, ringing or emissions peaks during compliance testing.

Thick film resistors also behave differently under load. Power dissipation causes temperature rise, which shifts resistance value depending on TCR. For precision circuits—such as ADC networks, bias ladders or sensor conditioning—this drift can accumulate and push systems outside accuracy targets.

Selecting jb MLCC + jb resistors with aligned derating curves and pulse-load data enables accurate worst-case prediction instead of optimistic paper analysis, reducing redesign cycles and validation failures.

5. Layout practices that improve RC reliability

Even with correct components, PCB placement heavily influences performance. For high-speed and high-frequency nodes, reducing loop area between MLCC, resistor and IC greatly improves impedance stability. In high-voltage designs, proper creepage and clearance prevent partial discharge and long-term insulation degradation.

Mechanical stress also matters. MLCCs near board edges or mounting holes may crack under flex. jb MLCCs with robust terminations reduce this risk, especially when paired with resistors that limit surge energy.

• Place MLCC as close as possible to IC pins.
• Minimise lead length on resistors to reduce parasitics.
• Use symmetrical layout for voltage-sharing resistor strings.
• Maintain regulatory creepage/clearance on HV rails.

6. Designing for long-term stability & manufacturability

Industrial and automotive electronics require reliability under continuous stress. High-power supplies, EV modules, LED drivers and controllers may run 24/7 for years. In such cases, drift after 1,000–10,000 hours is more important than initial values.

jb MLCCs and resistors include load-life and humidity-bias data, allowing estimation of end-of-life performance. Matching MLCC voltage derating with resistor power derating ensures both components age consistently without creating single-point failure risks.

Manufacturing alignment is another advantage: consistent solder profiles and termination metallurgy across jb parts improve solder-joint reliability and minimise ESR/ESL drift after reflow.

7. When to choose alternative MLCC dielectrics or resistor types

While general-purpose MLCCs and thick film resistors cover many applications, specialised circuits need higher-grade components. RF networks use NP0/C0G for ultra-low loss, while precision filters rely on X7R for better stability under DC bias.

For resistors, thin-film options provide low TCR and tight tolerance. High-voltage dividers may require special film construction, and surge-heavy power circuits benefit greatly from jb’s pulse-rated resistor families.

• NP0/C0G MLCCs → RF, oscillators, precision filters.
• X7R MLCCs → general stable decoupling.
• Thin-film resistors → precision analogue & measurement.
• Surge-rated resistors → power supplies, motor drives, LED drivers.

8. Summary: A unified MLCC + resistor strategy improves design confidence

Treating MLCCs and resistors as a unified design block—not isolated components—helps achieve predictable, EMC-compliant and highly reliable performance. jb’s matched MLCC and resistor families offer aligned derating curves, consistent qualification data and strong manufacturability support across consumer, industrial, automotive and high-power designs.

Selecting the correct combination early greatly reduces redesign cycles, accelerates validation and enhances long-term product reliability.

Need help selecting the correct SMD MLCC + resistor combination?
Explore jb resistor families or contact us to get application support for your design.

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JBR Series – High Power & Precision Components for Modern Electronics

Video Showcase: JBR Series – High Power & Precision for Modern Electronics

In industrial design and automation systems, resistors and potentiometers play a decisive role in power regulation, load balancing, and precise signal adjustment. The jb JBR Series combines high power wirewound technology with precision trimming control, delivering reliability under demanding thermal and electrical environments. Whether you’re building motor drives, power inverters, or measurement instruments, JBR ensures stability, repeatability, and long-term endurance.

Bridging high-power dissipation with precision control — jb JBR Series for industrial applications.

This video highlights how the JBR Series integrates high load capacity and precision adjustability to achieve better thermal balance, current stability, and fine-tuned resistance — essential for engineers designing efficient and stable power systems.

Within the series, JBR-BT, JBR-BS, and JBR-BQ models handle high surge and continuous dissipation for load banks and inverter systems, while JBR-BH and JBR-BJ provide fine resistance trimming for test equipment and control boards. For interface applications, JBR-BM, JBR-BN, and JBR-BP feature smooth rotational torque and digital knob operation, ideal for control consoles and instrument panels.

Related Videos

Video Title	Focus Area
JBR High Power Wirewound Overview	Thermal management, surge endurance, inverter test systems
Precision Potentiometers & Digital Knobs	Signal calibration, analog control, panel adjustment

High-reliability trimming potentiometers and wirewound resistors from JBR Series – built for engineering precision.

Explore Full JBR Series → Contact jb Capacitors

Learn more about jb’s JBR Series components designed for precision control, load management, and industrial stability.