Supercapacitors by Eaton for High-Density Energy Storage

Supercapacitors have secured their place in modern electronic devices, ranging from consumer appliances to industrial systems and electric vehicles (EVs). Among the most reliable options available are the Eaton TV and TVA series supercapacitors, designed to meet the energy storage demands of today’s applications. These high-performance components are available now from TME, a trusted source for electronic parts and solutions.

This article explores Eaton’s supercapacitor solutions, with a focus on the TV and TVA series. Eaton is a globally recognised manufacturer specialising in advanced power and energy management technologies. The TV/TVA components offer key performance characteristics such as low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), high power density, and space-efficient design. Alongside technical specifications and practical applications, we also highlight how these capacitors excel in utility-focused devices like smart electricity, gas, and water meters.

Supercapacitor Characteristics

The TV and TVA series supercapacitors from Eaton deliver energy storage capabilities ranging from 3.3F to 100F, providing high reliability and extended service life. These benefits stem from their construction based on a double electrical layer (Helmholtz layer), known as EDLC (Electric Double Layer Capacitor) technology, combined with Eaton’s proprietary materials. These capacitors are increasingly used in emergency power systems, hybrid power storage, and energy controller circuits.

In many cases, these capacitors function alongside batteries, delivering rapid current only when needed (such as during high pulse power events). This setup optimises cost and extends battery life. Thanks to their high-performance parameters, these components can support power systems operating at levels even approaching megawatt-scale outputs. Their low ESR and compact footprint make them ideal for high-efficiency energy storage applications.

Smart Meters

Eaton’s engineering teams work closely with OEMs and device manufacturers to integrate supercapacitor-based energy storage into smart and remotely managed consumption meters. These devices enable precise management of electricity, gas, and water resources—allowing for remote activation, deactivation, and real-time monitoring without requiring physical access by field personnel. Critically, these meters remain operational and communicative even during major power failures, sending usage data and technical alerts to the grid or utility provider.

The energy needed for these operations is supplied by supercapacitors, which either power the entire meter or support it periodically, for instance, when transmitting data or operating an actuator such as an electro-valve. These tasks often require voltages and current levels beyond what small batteries alone can provide. Supercapacitors efficiently store charge drawn from low current and release it in powerful bursts when needed, activating components like transmitters or electromechanical actuators.

Moreover, systems utilising supercapacitors can deliver energy in a controlled, programmable manner. This capability ensures compatibility with extended communication protocols, including GSM, LTE/5G, LoRa, and Wi-Fi, even when longer login or data transmission times are required.

In addition to auxiliary roles, these capacitors can also function as the primary energy source, offering a stabilised discharge profile suitable for tasks such as maintaining RTC memory and other low-power standby functions.

TV/TVA Supercapacitors – Technical Overview

Eaton’s TV/TVA series supercapacitors are available for purchase directly from TME. The key difference between the two series lies in their operating temperature ranges: the TV series supports -40°C to +65°C, while the TVA series extends from -50°C to +85°C.

These are through-hole mounted (THT) components, available with lead spacings of 3.5mm, 5mm, or 7.5mm. Their physical dimensions vary from 8.5mm to 18.5mm in diameter and 21mm to 60.5mm in height. Capacitance options span 3.3F to 100F, all operating at a nominal voltage of 3VDC. Depending on the model, ESR values range from 11mΩ to 75mΩ, and leakage current values vary between 13µA and 225µA.

These supercapacitors are UL-certified and deliver outstanding peak power and energy storage density. Their compact size and robust electrical characteristics make them an excellent choice not only for smart metering systems but also for use in radio communication devices, relays, NAS servers, backup power systems, and renewable energy applications such as photovoltaic installations.