Overview
The Sprague CE44C680R is a 680 microfarad (µF) aluminum electrolytic capacitor designed for 450 volts DC (VDC) operation. This legacy component represents decades of proven industrial use. Sprague Electric was acquired by Vishay Intertechnology in 1992, and while original Sprague-branded capacitors are no longer manufactured, the CE44C680R remains sought after for maintenance, restoration, and legacy system replacement.
Key Features
- 680 µF capacitance rating with 450V DC working voltage
- Aluminum electrolytic construction for proven reliability and long operational life
- Polarized design suitable for DC power supply filtering, energy storage, and smoothing applications
- Legacy component compatible with industrial drives, UPS systems, and audio amplifier circuits
- Original Sprague manufacture — no longer in production but maintained in specialty inventory
Technical Specifications
- Capacitance: 680 µF (±10-20% typical tolerance)
- Voltage Rating: 450 VDC
- Capacitor Type: Aluminum Electrolytic, Polarized
- Construction: Aluminum oxide dielectric with wet electrolyte
- Application: DC power supply filtering, energy storage, industrial circuits
- Manufacturer: Sprague Electric (now Vishay Intertechnology successor line)
- Status: Original stock / Legacy component
Typical Applications
The CE44C680R serves critical roles in:
- Industrial power supplies and rectifier circuits — bulk energy storage in DC power conditioning
- Legacy industrial motor drives and VFDs — DC bus filtering and ripple reduction
- Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) — backup power filtering and hold-up capacitance
- Vintage tube amplifiers and audio equipment — power supply smoothing in valve-based hi-fi systems
- Test and measurement equipment — stable DC reference filtering from the 1980s–1990s era
- Telecommunications and military systems — legacy form-fit-function replacement for MIL-SPEC compliance
Compatibility & Replacements
Compatible With
- Industrial DC power supply systems rated 450V or lower
- Motor drives and variable frequency drives (VFDs) with 450V DC bus requirements
- Tube and transistor audio amplifiers designed for 450V+ supply rails
- Vintage test equipment and measurement instruments from the 1970s–1990s
- Legacy telecommunications and military electronic systems with Sprague-compatible form factors
Replaces / Drop-In Replacement For
The CE44C680R is the specific Sprague part number for this capacitance and voltage rating. Direct mechanical and electrical replacements must match or exceed: 680 µF capacitance, 450V rated voltage, equivalent physical dimensions, and equivalent ESR characteristics. Verify compatibility with your system integrator before ordering a substitute.
Works With
- Vishay successor products — Vishay is the direct successor to Sprague and can cross-reference Sprague part numbers to current Vishay, Nichicon, or other manufacturer equivalents based on your specifications
- Cross-reference platforms — Specap, Allied Electronics, and specialty distributors maintain legacy cross-reference databases for Sprague-to-modern equivalent matching
- Form-fit-function replacement standard — aluminum electrolytic capacitors meeting 680 µF ±20%, 450VDC, and matching physical envelope
- Specification-driven replacement — as long as all critical specifications match or exceed the original: capacitance, voltage, temperature rating, ESR, and physical dimensions
