Trimmers, Variable Capacitors

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	GKU3R020 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 1.3-3PF 100V TH	0
	GMD20200 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 4-20PF 175V TH	0
	GQL5R500R Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 0.6-5.5PF 1250V TH	0
	GXC13004 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 2-13PF 100V TH	0
	GMD41100 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 300-1000PF 175V TH	0
	GMD80200 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 10-80PF 250V TH	0
	GXA18002 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 2-18PF 100V TH	0
	GWR8R000 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 0.8-8PF 500V TH	0
	GMA30800 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 95-350PF 175V TH	0
	GGW18000 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 0.8-18PF 750V	0
	GGV30033 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 0.8-30PF 1250V SMD	0
	GME50401 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIM 100-500PF 500V PNL MNT	0
	GDT10026 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 1.5-10PF 250V TH	0
	GKU10018 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER	0
	GMA41400 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 380-1300PF 175V TH	0
	GHN16033 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 0.8-16PF 750V SMD	0
	GKG20021 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 5.5-20PF 100V TH	0
	GNN2R550 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 0.4-2.5PF 500V	0
	GXE36002 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIMMER 4.5-36PF 200V TH	0
	GSG006 Sprague Goodman	CAP TRIM 1.2-10PF 500V PNL MNT	0

Trimmers, Variable Capacitors

1. Overview

Trimmer capacitors and variable capacitors are specialized capacitive components with adjustable capacitance values. Trimmers are semi-fixed capacitors designed for infrequent adjustments during device calibration, while variable capacitors allow continuous manual or mechanical tuning. These components are critical in analog circuits, RF systems, and precision electronics, enabling fine-tuning of frequency response, impedance matching, and signal optimization. Their adaptability makes them indispensable in communication systems, industrial control, and measurement instruments.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Ceramic Trimmer Capacitors	Compact size, high stability, ceramic dielectric material	Radio transmitters, oscillator circuits
Film Trimmer Capacitors	Low leakage current, polymer film dielectric	Medical equipment calibration
Air Variable Capacitors	Adjustable plate spacing with air dielectric	AM/FM radio tuning circuits
Film Variable Capacitors	Rotary adjustment mechanism, plastic film dielectric	Signal generators, test equipment
Electrolytic Variable Capacitors	Polarized design with liquid/gel electrolyte	Power supply filtering systems

3. Structure and Composition

Typical trimmer capacitors use a ceramic or polymer dielectric sandwiched between metal plates, with a screwdriver-adjustable electrode for capacitance variation. Variable capacitors employ either rotating plate systems (air dielectric) or compressible film stacks. Key components include:

Dielectric material (ceramic, polypropylene, polystyrene)
Movable electrode assembly (rotary/sliding contact)
Calibration scale for precise adjustment
Protective housing (epoxy, plastic, or metal casing)

4. Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Description	Importance
Capacitance Range	Adjustable capacitance limits (e.g., 1-10 pF)	Determines circuit tuning flexibility
Rated Voltage	Maximum operating voltage (50-200V typical)	Affects reliability and dielectric breakdown resistance
Temperature Coefficient	Capacitance variation per C ( 5 to 100 ppm/ C)	Impacts frequency stability
Adjustment Resolution	Minimum achievable capacitance change	Critical for precision calibration
Mechanical Life	Number of adjustment cycles before failure	Dictates component longevity in dynamic applications

5. Application Fields

Telecommunications: RF filters, antenna matching networks
Consumer Electronics: Radio frequency tuning circuits, audio equalizers
Industrial Control: Sensor calibration, power factor correction
Medical Equipment: Diagnostic imaging device signal conditioning
Automotive: Ignition system tuning, radar calibration

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Features
KEMET	TR3 Series	Ceramic trimmers with 0.5-12 pF range
AVX	VT Series	Vacuum variable capacitors to 1000 pF
Murata	7WT Series	Sub-miniature trimmers for SMT applications
EPCOS	B4350 Series	High-voltage variable capacitors (2000V rating)

7. Selection Guidelines

Determine required capacitance range and adjustment precision
Evaluate environmental conditions (temperature, vibration, humidity)
Select appropriate dielectric material for stability requirements
Consider packaging type (through-hole vs. surface-mount)
Assess mechanical actuation needs (manual vs. motorized tuning)
Verify voltage rating exceeds circuit requirements

Industry Trends and Future Outlook

The market is shifting toward miniaturization (sub-1mm components), enhanced digital control integration, and improved temperature stability ( 5 ppm/ C specifications becoming standard). Emerging applications in 5G infrastructure and IoT devices are driving demand for ultra-low-loss trimmers. Material innovations like nanoceramic dielectrics and MEMS-based variable capacitors are expected to dominate next-generation designs. Environmental regulations are also pushing manufacturers toward lead-free and RoHS-compliant packaging solutions.