Murata Upgrades Automotive Safety Capacitors to Y1 Certification

Murata has introduced the DE5 series, a new family of automotive leaded disc ceramic safety capacitors certified to the X1/Y1 class of IEC 60384-14. The series replaces the company's previous X1/Y2-rated DE6 family for applications requiring higher operating voltage and greater impulse withstand capability.

Compared with the DE6 series, the DE5 increases the Y-rated operating voltage from 300 Vac to 500 Vac while raising the specified impulse withstand voltage from 5 kV to 12 kV. According to Murata, the redesign was carried out in response to demand for higher-voltage automotive systems, including on-board chargers that require additional safety margin beyond the Y2 classification.

Mass production begins in July 2026.

Higher Voltage Capability

The DE5 series is designed for applications connected to the AC side of automotive power systems where compliance with IEC 60384-14 safety requirements is needed.

Murata specifies a Y1-rated operating voltage of 500 Vac (r.m.s.), an X1 rating of 760 Vac (r.m.s.), and a DC rating of 1,500 V. The increase from 5 kV to 12 kV impulse withstand is one of the main changes from the earlier DE6 series. The company says the higher ratings were achieved through a review of the capacitor design to support operation at increased voltages.

Eleven Capacitor Values

The initial lineup includes eleven part numbers covering capacitance values from 100 pF to 4,700 pF. Devices are offered with B and E temperature characteristics, 10 mm lead spacing, and body diameters ranging from 6 mm to 14 mm depending on capacitance. The series is qualified to AEC-Q200 Rev. E for automotive applications.

Murata identifies automotive on-board chargers as a primary application for the DE5 series, particularly where designs require higher voltage capability or additional impulse withstand margin than Y2-certified capacitors provide.

Learn more and read the original announcement at the Murata website.

Technology Overview

Murata's DE5 series is a family of leaded ceramic safety capacitors certified to the X1/Y1 class of IEC 60384-14. Compared with the earlier DE6 series, the new devices increase the Y-rated operating voltage from 300 Vac to 500 Vac and raise impulse withstand capability from 5 kV to 12 kV while maintaining AEC-Q200 Rev. E qualification for automotive applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What has changed compared with the Murata DE6 series?

The DE5 series increases the Y-rated operating voltage from 300 Vac to 500 Vac and raises the specified impulse withstand voltage from 5 kV to 12 kV, achieving X1/Y1 certification.

What capacitance values are available?

The initial lineup covers eleven values from 100 pF to 4,700 pF.

Which applications are the DE5 capacitors intended for?

Murata identifies automotive on-board chargers and other applications requiring X1/Y1 safety-certified capacitors with higher operating voltage and impulse withstand capability.