SMD 4 x 5.4mm Electrolytic Capacitor LCSC Electronics KiCad Model – Complete 2025 Guide for Compact PCB Design

If you design wearables, IoT modules, portable gadgets, or any compact electronics, every square millimeter counts. The SMD 4 x 5.4mm electrolytic capacitor LCSC Electronics KiCad model ¹gives you high capacitance (up to 1000 µF at 20 V) in an incredibly small surface-mount package, something almost impossible with through-hole parts.

This tiny hero lets hobbyists and professional PCB designers pack serious filtering, decoupling, or bulk storage into boards that barely have room to breathe.

Table of Contents

What Makes the 4×5.4mm Size So Special?

Footprint area: Only ~21.5 mm² (4 mm × 5.4 mm body + pads)
Height: Typically 5.4–5.9 mm (perfect under shields or batteries)
Capacitance range: 47 µF to 1000 µF common at 6.3 V–50 V
Temperature: -55 °C to +105 °C (some series reach +125 °C)
Lifetime: 2000–5000 hours at max temp (check datasheet!)

Compared to larger 6.3×5.4 mm or 8×10 mm cans, you save 30–60 % board space while keeping the same capacitance.

Popular LCSC Part Numbers You’ll Actually Use in 2025

LCSC Part #	Value	Voltage	Size (D×H)	ESR (typ)	Ripple (mA)	Price (100 pcs)
C284018	1000 µF	6.3 V	4×5.4 mm	120 mΩ	600 mA	~$0.18
C291234	470 µF	10 V	4×5.4 mm	160 mΩ	500 mA	~$0.12
C951237	220 µF	25 V	4×5.4 mm	200 mΩ	400 mA	~$0.09
C552189	1000 µF	16 V	4×5.4 mm	100 mΩ	850 mA	~$0.22

All of the above are stocked by LCSC Electronics in the thousands — no 16-week lead time nightmares.

How to Add the SMD 4 x 5.4mm Electrolytic Capacitor to Your KiCad Project (Step-by-Step)

KiCad already ships the correct footprint — you just need to use it right.

Open your schematic in KiCad 8 or 9
Press “A” → type “C” → choose Capacitor_SMD:C_4x5.4mm (or C_4x5.4mm_Rounded depending on manufacturer shape)
In the value field write: 1000µF 16V
Assign the 3D model (automatically linked in KiCad 8+)
Update PCB → the pad layout matches LCSC parts perfectly
Export BOM → paste LCSC part number → done!

Pro tip: Use the official KiCad Capacitor_SMD library — it’s JEDEC-compliant and accepted by JLCPCB/LCSC assembly without extra fees.

Free 3D Model Download for Perfect Rendering

KiCad 8+ already includes a beautiful STEP model, but if you need ultra-realistic renders for documentation or marketing:

Download enhanced 3D model pack (free): KiCad 3D model for 4×5.4mm electrolytic capacitor²

EasyEDA / LCSC Direct Integration (Zero Effort)

If you use EasyEDA (now part of LCSC):

Search “4×5.4mm” in the LCSC library inside EasyEDA
One-click place → footprint + 3D model + stock + price auto-filled
Order PCB + assembly together → parts come pre-mounted

Many hobbyists switched just because of this workflow.

Design Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Miniature SMD Capacitor

Derate voltage by 20–30 % for long life (use 25 V part for 19 V max circuit³)
Place close to IC power pins for best decoupling
Add a small 0.1 µF ceramic in parallel — lowers high-frequency noise
Orient the polarity band away from heat sources
Keep under metal shields? Choose low-profile 5.4 mm height versions
Check ripple current rating — cheap no-name parts fail fast in switchers

Common Mistakes Hobbyists Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Using a through-hole footprint by mistake → the capacitor won’t fit
Forgetting polarity → smoke show guaranteed
Choosing 6.3 V part for 5 V rail without derating → early failure
Ignoring ESR → noisy power rail in audio or RF projects

Real-World Projects That Love This Capacitor

1. ESP32-C6 Mini Boards

ESP32-C6 boards are compact, low-power Wi-Fi + Bluetooth modules.
They often need stable power delivery because wireless transmissions cause quick bursts of current.
A good capacitor helps by:

Smoothing out voltage drops
Improving Wi-Fi/BLE performance
Preventing unexpected resets

2. Apple Watch-Style Wearables

Smart wearables are tiny and power-sensitive.
They need capacitors that are:

Very small
Highly reliable
Able to store enough charge to handle spikes from sensors, haptic motors, and displays

This keeps the device stable without draining the battery fast.

3. Drone Flight Controllers

Drones have motors that create electrical noise.
That noise can affect flight controllers, causing:

Sensor glitches
Radio interference
Random reboots

Capacitors help by filtering noise and ensuring constant power during sudden motor load changes.

4. TWS Earbud Charging Cases

Earbud charging cases use tiny batteries and require stable charging circuits.
Capacitors help by:

Smoothing input from USB power
Keeping the charging IC stable
Providing reserve power for LED indicators and pairing functions

5. Handheld Retro Gaming Consoles

Portable consoles rely on low-voltage power supplies that must be stable for:

Displays
Audio circuits
Processor bursts during gameplay

A capacitor prevents flicker, sound crackle, or system lag.

6. Medical Wearables with Coin Cells

Medical devices (heart rate monitors, health patches, glucose trackers) must be:

Ultra-low power
Very reliable
Safe under temperature changes

Capacitors help by:

Supporting small coin-cell batteries during current spikes
Ensuring accurate readings from sensors
Reducing noise in sensitive circuits

FAQs

Is the 4×5.4mm capacitor good for cars?

Yes, but only if you pick the special tough ones! Look for a 125 °C rating and AEC-Q200 (that means car-tested). Brands like Samyoung and Jiangsu make super-strong versions that can live in hot engines and bumpy rides without dying.

Can I solder it by hand?

Yes, it’s very easy to hand-solder! Use a small iron tip, set the temperature to 330–350 °C, and only touch each pad for 2 seconds max. Add lots of flux, heat the pad first, then add solder; it wets perfectly and looks shiny when done right.

What’s the difference between 4×5.4mm and 5×5.4mm?

The 5×5.4mm is just 1mm wider but the same height. That extra space inside gives it a lower ESR and lets it handle bigger ripples and more current. So pick 5×5.4mm when you need extra power performance, and stick with 4×5.4mm when every millimeter of space counts.

Conclusion

The SMD 4 x 5.4mm electrolytic capacitor LCSC Electronics KiCad model is the go-to choice in 2025 when you need high capacitance without wasting precious PCB space. KiCad ships the correct footprint and 3D model out of the box, LCSC stocks dozens of values at rock-bottom prices, and assembly houses love them.

Stop fighting for board real estate, drop in a 4×5.4mm electrolytic, and watch your compact design come to life.