C1206C104K5RACTU - 0.1uF 50V X7R MLCC | KEMET | Decoupling
MPN: C1206C104K5RACTU ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.12 | $0.12 |
| 10 | $0.05 | $0.50 |
| 100 | $0.026 | $2.60 |
| 500 | $0.018 | $9.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.012 | $12.00 |
C1206C104K5RACTU Overview
An MLCC is a passive component built from alternating layers of ceramic dielectric and metal electrodes, and it serves as the workhorse of modern electronics for decoupling, bypassing, filtering, and timing functions. Within the component hierarchy, the MLCC belongs to the ceramic capacitor family, which sits under capacitors and, more broadly, passive components. Class 2 dielectrics such as X7R offer far higher volumetric efficiency than Class 1 C0G parts at the cost of looser tolerance and some voltage dependence of capacitance.
The X7R dielectric in this part exhibits negligible change in capacitance over time and voltage and maintains its characteristic across the full -55 C to +125 C operating range with a maximum capacitance change of ±15%, making it a temperature-stable, Class 2 solution. The standard end terminations use a nickel barrier layer beneath a matte tin finish, supporting lead-free reflow soldering and good solder-joint reliability. The 50 VDC rating provides generous headroom for 3.3 V, 5 V, 12 V, and 24 V rails.
The 1206 (3216 metric) footprint measures 3.2 mm x 1.6 mm and is one of the most widely stocked surface-mount sizes, enabling automated assembly and easy second-sourcing. This KEMET commercial-grade C-series part is a staple for microcontroller power decoupling, op-amp supply bypassing, and general-purpose filtering.
Typical applications include power-supply input/output filtering, MCU decoupling on every VDD pin, analog rail bypass for amplifiers and ADCs, and DC bias networks in industrial and consumer designs.
Designers should note that X7R capacitance decreases with applied DC voltage, so effective capacitance at 25 V may be noticeably below the nominal 0.1 uF; derate the voltage or move to a larger case size if tight capacitance is required.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey, Mouser, and LCSC, drop-in alternatives across multiple manufacturers, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for C1206C104K5RACTU — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
C1206C104K5RAC7800
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C1206C104K5RAC
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GRM31CR71H104KA01L
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CL31B104KBHNNNE
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CGA5L1X7R1H104K160AC
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C1206C104J5RACTU
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C1206C104K5RACTU Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Capacitance | 0.1 uF (100 nF) |
| Tolerance | ±10% |
| Rated Voltage | 50 VDC |
| Dielectric | X7R (Class 2, temperature stable) |
| Temperature Coefficient | ±15% over -55 C to +125 C |
| Operating Temperature Range | -55 C to +125 C |
| Package / Case | 1206 (3216 Metric) |
| Case Dimensions | 3.2 mm x 1.6 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (SMD/SMT) |
| Termination Finish | Nickel barrier layer with matte tin finish |
| Termination Style | Standard (non-reverse-geometry) |
| Product Series | KEMET C-Series Commercial Grade (CxxxxC) |
| Technology | Multilayer Ceramic Chip Capacitor (MLCC) |
| Packing | Tape & Reel (TU suffix; also available Digi-Reel) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Voltage Derating Note | Capacitance decreases with applied DC voltage (Class 2 characteristic) |
C1206C104K5RACTU 3.2 mm x 1.6 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for C1206C104K5RACTU (3.2 mm x 1.6 mm package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for C1206C104K5RACTU.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
C1206C104K5RACTU is suitable for 6 applications: Microcontroller Power Decoupling, Op-Amp and Analog Rail Bypass, DC-DC Converter Input/Output Filtering, Industrial Control Boards, USB and Communication Interface Ports, Consumer Electronics and IoT Devices.
Microcontroller Power Decoupling
The C1206C104K5RACTU is the archetypal decoupling capacitor for microcontroller VDD pins. Its 0.1 uF capacitance presents low impedance at the nanosecond-scale current transients drawn by MCU core logic, while the 50 V rating comfortably covers 3.3 V and 5 V rails. Place one capacitor within 2-3 mm of each supply pin, with a short wide trace to the ground plane; the 1206 case size is large enough for reliable automated assembly yet small enough to sit close to the pin. Because X7R capacitance drops under DC bias, the effective value at 3.3 V or 5 V will be somewhat below 100 nF, but for decoupling the exact value is non-critical - what matters is low ESR and close placement. Pair it with a bulk 10 uF MLCC or tantalum capacitor per rail to handle lower-frequency supply droop.
Recommended
Op-Amp and Analog Rail Bypass
Analog amplifiers, comparators, and ADC front ends demand quiet, low-impedance supply rails, and the C1206C104K5RACTU delivers exactly that role. The 0.1 uF X7R capacitor placed at each op-amp supply pin shunts high-frequency noise and prevents supply-borne disturbances from coupling into the signal path, which is critical for precision parts like the OP177. The 50 V rating covers typical ±15 V analog supplies and single-supply 12 V or 24 V industrial rails. For best results, combine this local bypass with a 1 uF to 10 uF reservoir capacitor per board section, and keep the bypass loop area minimal. Note that for precision references or sample-hold circuits where the exact capacitance matters, X7R's DC-bias and piezoelectric behavior argue for a C0G dielectric instead.
Recommended
DC-DC Converter Input/Output Filtering
Switching regulators rely on input ceramic capacitors to interrupt the pulsating input current and reduce input ripple, and the C1206C104K5RACTU in a 50 V rating fits 12 V, 24 V, and 36 V industrial buses. On the input of a buck converter, one or two 100 nF X7R 1206 capacitors placed directly at the VIN pin minimize high-frequency switching ripple and input-voltage overshoot. On outputs, it supplements the bulk output capacitor for EMI control. X7R's low ESR is an advantage here, though designers must beware input-rail ringing with very low-ESR ceramics when long input leads are present - a small damping resistor or electrolytic in parallel may be needed. Verify the effective capacitance under DC bias when sizing for ripple targets.
Recommended
Industrial Control Boards
Factory automation, PLC I/O modules, and motor-control interface boards operate from 24 V logic-side rails and harsh electrical environments, and the C1206C104K5RACTU's 50 V rating plus -55 C to +125 C X7R range gives comfortable derating margin. Distributing 100 nF capacitors across the board - at each IC supply pin, at connector entries, and alongside optocoupler or transceiver supplies - suppresses the fast transients typical of relay and contactor switching. The nickel-barrier, matte-tin terminations withstand repeated lead-free reflow and support reliable solder joints through industrial thermal cycling. For boards subject to flex or vibration, consider KEMET flexible-termination variants, but for standard industrial control the commercial C-series part is the cost-effective standard choice.
Recommended
USB and Communication Interface Ports
USB, RS-485, and CAN transceiver sections need tightly placed 100 nF bypass capacitors on their VDD and VBUS-derived rails to meet conducted-emission requirements and survive cable ESD events. The C1206C104K5RACTU's 50 V rating safely covers 5 V VBUS applications with margin, and its low-ESR X7R construction shunts the MHz-range noise generated by high-speed transceivers. Place one 100 nF capacitor at each transceiver supply pin plus one at the connector-side power entry; combined with a bulk 10 uF, this forms the classic pi-style filtering used in reference designs. The 1206 case also tolerates the higher surge currents seen at connector entry points better than smaller 0402 or 0603 sizes.
Recommended
Consumer Electronics and IoT Devices
High-volume consumer products - smart-home sensors, wearable chargers, set-top boxes, and IoT edge nodes - consume hundreds of millions of 100 nF 1206 capacitors annually, and the C1206C104K5RACTU is squarely targeted at this demand. Its combination of a universally stocked 1206 footprint, 0.1 uF/50 V/X7R parameters, and multi-distributor availability (DigiKey, Mouser, LCSC with 13,440 units in stock) minimizes both design risk and line-down risk. At roughly $0.01 per unit in volume pricing, it is effectively a commodity bill-of-materials line. The matte-tin, nickel-barrier termination is compatible with all standard lead-free reflow profiles used in consumer assembly, and the part's broad availability across at least 14 distributors simplifies dual-sourcing strategies.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for C1206C104K5RACTU — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | C1206C104K5RAC7800 | C1206C104K5RAC | GRM31CR71H104KA01L | CL31B104KBHNNNE | CGA5L1X7R1H104K160AC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 1206 (3216 Metric) | 1206 (3216 Metric) - same | 1206 (3216 Metric) - same | 1206 (3216 Metric) - same | 1206 (3216 Metric) - same | 1206 (3216 Metric) - same |
| Brand | KEMET | KEMET | KEMET | Murata Manufacturing | Samsung Electro-Mechanics | TDK |
| Capacitance | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF | 0.1 uF |
| Tolerance | ±10% | ±10% | ±10% | ±10% | ±10% | ±10% |
| Rated Voltage | 50 VDC | 50 VDC | 50 VDC | 50 VDC | 50 VDC | 50 VDC |
| Dielectric | X7R | X7R | X7R | X7R | X7R | X7R |
| Operating Temperature | -55 C to +125 C | -55 C to +125 C | -55 C to +125 C | -55 C to +125 C | -55 C to +125 C | -55 C to +125 C |
| Automotive Qualification | No (commercial grade) | No (commercial grade) | No (commercial grade) | No (commercial grade) | No (commercial grade) | Yes (CGA automotive series, AEC-Q200) |
Key Differentiators
- Exact-drop-in KEMET alias availability (vs C1206C104K5RAC7800)
- Commercial-grade cost position (vs CGA5L1X7R1H104K160AC)
- Multi-distributor availability depth (vs GRM31CR71H104KA01L)
- Trade-off: DC-bias derating (vs C1206C104J5RACTU)
Design Notes
For decoupling effectiveness, placement matters more than the exact capacitance value. Place the C1206C104K5RACTU as close as possible to each IC supply pin, with the ground connection tied directly to the nearest via into the ground plane. Keep the power trace between the capacitor pad and the IC pin short and wide (at least 0.3 mm) to minimize loop inductance; a 1206 in this position typically gives a self-resonant frequency in the low tens of MHz, above which the PCB plane inductance dominates. Combine with bulk capacitance (10 uF to 47 uF) per rail region rather than relying on many distributed 100 nF parts alone.
Do not forget DC-bias derating: as a Class 2 X7R dielectric, the effective capacitance of the C1206C104K5RACTU drops as applied DC voltage rises - commonly 20-40% below nominal at a meaningful fraction of the 50 V rating. The part is therefore excellent for decoupling and bypassing but a poor choice for RC timing circuits, integrators, or precision filters where the exact 100 nF matters. Also note X7R exhibits piezoelectric effects: in acoustically coupled or high-vibration environments the capacitor can convert mechanical vibration into voltage noise. Use C0G/NP0 dielectrics for timing, reference, and audio-signal-path capacitance needs.
When using this part as a DC-DC converter input capacitor, beware of input-rail ringing: the X7R's very low ESR combined with long input leads or trace inductance can create a resonant peak that causes voltage overshoot at switch-on. Estimated countermeasure: if input power reaches the board through more than a few centimeters of wiring, add a small damping electrolytic (e.g., 10 uF to 47 uF) or a 0.5-1 ohm series resistor per KEMET and regulator vendor application guidance. The 50 V rating gives solid margin on 24 V industrial inputs, including typical transient conditions.
The nickel-barrier, matte-tin termination of this commercial C-series part supports standard lead-free SAC305 reflow profiles and multiple reflow passes. Avoid mechanical board flex near the capacitor after soldering - rigid 1206 MLCCs are susceptible to flex cracking; keep them at least 3 mm from board edges, mounting holes, and panel break lines. If the application involves significant flex or vibration, consider KEMET flexible-termination MLCCs or the TDK CGA series alternative instead.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per KEMET commercial C-series product positioning; matte-tin finish with nickel barrier supports lead-free assembly. AEC-Q200 automotive qualification not claimed for the commercial C-series - see KEMET automotive-grade MLCC families for qualified options.