Ceramic capacitor supply has tightened in the small-case, high-capacitance segment. 0402 and 0603 X5R and X7R parts above 1µF are quoting at 12 to 16 weeks on authorised channels, against a normal 6 to 8 weeks.
What is driving it
Manufacturers are allocating multi-layer ceramic capacity toward automotive and industrial grades, which carry higher qualification requirements and better margins. Consumer-grade parts in the same case sizes compete for the same lines.
Practical guidance
- Do not dual-source by case size alone; check voltage derating and temperature characteristics before substituting.
- Confirm whether an automotive-grade part can serve a non-automotive application. It often can, and it is usually available.
- Review any design that uses a large number of high-capacitance 0402 parts for a 0603 alternative before the next build.
We are tracking the segment weekly and will report if lead times move materially in either direction.