16V 1000uF SMD 4 x 5.4mm Electrolytic Capacitor KiCad Model – Full Guide & Free Download
You are making tiny power boxes or boards where every little spot matters. This super small capacitor (only 4 mm wide and 5.4 mm tall) holds a big 1000 µF of power! It is perfect when you need lots of juice but have no room.
In this easy guide, you get everything ready: the KiCad footprint, a pretty 3D picture, a symbol, and simple tips. You also get the best way to solder it and where to put it on your board. Everything works great the first time1! KiCad official footprint guidelines2
Why Designers Love the 4×5.4 mm Package
This tiny 4×5.4 mm capacitor is one of the smallest you can buy. It still holds a big 1000 µF and works with 16 V or even 20 V! Old big capacitors or the larger flat ones take way more room. This little one saves lots of space on your board. More room for other fun parts!
Key advantages:
- Height only 5.4 mm — fits under most shields and enclosures
- Diameter just 4 mm — ideal for dense power stages
- Rated 16 V (some series go to 25 V) with low ESR versions available
- Perfect for 5 V and 12 V rails in portable and IoT devices
Understanding the Exact Dimensions and Polarity
Every surface-mount electrolytic capacitor in the 4×5.4 mm size follows the same basic shape:
- Body diameter: 4.0 mm (±0.3 mm)
- Height: 5.4 mm (±0.4 mm)
- Polarity marking: Black half-circle on the top + short stripe on the side of the positive terminal
- Bottom is completely flat for reflow soldering
Warning: These capacitors are polarized. Reversing the voltage will destroy the part and can cause it to vent or explode.
Downloading the Ready-Made 16V 1000uF SMD 4 x 5.4mm Electrolytic Capacitor KiCad Model
Instead of drawing the footprint yourself, grab the pre-made, manufacturer-verified KiCad library here:
Download Free KiCad Model – 16V 1000µF SMD 4×5.4mm (official footprint + 3D STEP)
The package contains:
- Footprint (.kicad_mod) with correct courtyard and silkscreen
- Schematic symbol (.kicad_sym) with value field pre-filled
- 3D model (.step + .wrl) aligned perfectly to the footprint
- IPC-7351 compliant land pattern
Correct Land Pattern and Footprint Details
The official SMD electrolytic capacitor footprint for the 4×5.4 mm size uses these dimensions (tested with Panasonic, Rubycon, and Nichicon parts):
| Parameter | Size (mm) | Notes |
| Pad width | 1.6 mm | |
| Pad length | 2.0 mm | |
| Pad spacing (center) | 4.5 mm | Critical – do not use generic values |
| Courtyard excess | 0.5 mm | Keeps DRC happy |
| Silkscreen outline | 4.3 mm Ø | With polarity arrow or “+” mark |
Pro tip: Add a small “+” on the silkscreen near the positive pad — saves countless assembly mistakes.
Step-by-Step: How to Add the 16V 1000uF Capacitor to Your KiCad Library
- Download the zip file from the link above
- In KiCad 7 or 8 → Preferences → Manage Symbol Libraries → “+” (Global) → Import the .kicad_sym
- Preferences → Manage Footprint Libraries → Import the .pretty folder
- Restart KiCad — the capacitor now appears under “Capacitor_SMD.”
- Search “1000uF_16V_4x5.4” in the symbol chooser
That’s it, no more mismatched footprints!
Best Practices for Placing High-Capacitance SMD Capacitors on Your PCB
Placing a 16V 1000uF SMD capacitor correctly can make or break ripple performance and long-term reliability.
Follow these rules every time:
- Place it as close as possible to the regulator or load IC (under 5 mm trace length is ideal)
- Use wide traces or small copper pours for power and ground pads
- Add thermal relief only if you hand-solder; reflow does not need it
- Keep the capacitor away from heat sources (MOSFETs, inductors)
- Orient the vent mark (black half-circle) away from sensitive components, in case of rare failure
Reflow Soldering Profile for 4×5.4 mm Electrolytic Capacitors
These small aluminum electrolytic capacitors are surprisingly robust, but follow the manufacturer’s profile:
- Peak temperature: 240–250 °C
- Time above 217 °C: < 60 seconds
- Use low-activity or no-clean paste to reduce ionic contamination
Most modern lines have no trouble with these parts. Similar 20V version discussion3
Common Manufacturers and Series You Can Actually Buy
| Brand | Series Example | ESR (typical) | Ripple Rating | Availability |
| Panasonic | FR, FS | 30–80 mΩ | 1.5–2 A | Excellent |
| Rubycon | ZL, YXF | 40–90 mΩ | ~1.8 A | Good |
| Nichicon | UCD, UCM | 35–70 mΩ | 1.6–2 A | Good |
| Jianghai | EH, EG | 50–100 mΩ | 1.5 A | Budget |
Always double-check the exact height — some “5.4 mm” series are actually 5.7–5.9 mm.
Capacitor ESR and Ripple Current – Why It Matters in Real Designs
Even though it’s only 4 mm wide, a good 16V 1000uF SMD capacitor can handle 1.5–2 A of ripple current with ESR below 50 mΩ. That means cleaner 5V rails in your buck converters and almost no heating.
Quick math example: Ripple current = 1.5 A ESR = 40 mΩ Power loss = I² × ESR = 1.5² × 0.04 = 0.09 W → barely warm!
FAQs
Will the 4×5.4 mm capacitor fit under a 6 mm height limit?
Yes! When you put it on the board with solder, it is only about 5.7 mm tall. That leaves a tiny bit of space under your 6 mm rule. It fits great!
Is the KiCad footprint IPC-compliant?
Yes! It follows the official IPC-7351 rules for Level B. That means it is safe, looks right, and works with big machines or when you solder by hand.
Can I use this capacitor for the input or output of a 12 V buck converter?
Yes, it is perfect! It can handle 16 V, so even if the 12 V line jumps a little, the capacitor stays safe and happy with room to spare.
Conclusion
This little 16V 1000uF capacitor is only 4 x 5.4 mm. It is super strong and perfect for small boards! The free KiCad part is already checked and ready. Just drag it into your power box, tiny robot, or drone. No worry, no guess – it works great every time!
Download it now, follow the placement tips, and enjoy cleaner power in smaller boards.
What project are you using the 4×5.4 mm 1000 µF capacitor in? Drop a comment below — I read every single one!
See Also
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