Marine Propulsion
Updated: Sep 10
API Capacitors have supplied capacitors for demanding marine applications since the 1980s.
Our products are fitted on merchant ship propulsion systems and naval vessels operating around the world, for customers in both the private and public sectors.
Our capacitors form an essential part of the main propulsion systems for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, the UK's latest generation of aircraft carriers. They are also fitted on the British-built Type 45 destroyers, HMS Bulwark, RFA Wave Ruler, and the UK's sub-surface fleet of Trident submarines.
We have carried out extensive research into partial discharge (PD) in capacitors used in marine environments, and how it affects capacitor life. In certain designs the capacitor case sits at a different potential from the internal windings, so keeping PD to a minimum is essential. This work has allowed us to refine our processes and manufacturing techniques to almost eliminate PD from capacitors used in these applications.
Capacitors produced at our UK facility are fitted predominantly in PWM (pulse width modulation) inverters, and we supply for other marine inverter types as well. The systems typically use several capacitor variants, including snubber, AC harmonic filter, DC link and DC tuned filter. All are available in a range of case styles, with terminations to suit each customer's requirements.
We work closely with our customers at both commercial and technical levels to produce capacitor designs that meet the technical and environmental demands of marine propulsion.
