Vishay DLA 15010 vs EP2: High-Energy Wet Tantalum Capacitors
Vishay DLA 15010 and EP2 are high-energy wet tantalum hybrid capacitors based on SuperTan® technology. Both use an all-tantalum, hermetically sealed case and support operation from -55°C to +125°C with voltage derating.
Their primary difference is qualification and configuration:
DLA 15010: approved to DLA Land and Maritime drawing 15010 for drawing-controlled military procurement.
EP2: broader configurable series with more capacitance values, SMD and radial termination options, and capacitance up to 96,000 µF.
Choose DLA 15010 when the procurement specification requires an approved DLA dash number. Select EP2 when maximum capacitance, mounting flexibility or a wider selection of electrical ratings is more important.
DLA 15010 vs EP2 Comparison
| Parameter | DLA 15010 | EP2 |
| Product positioning | DLA drawing-approved series | Broad configurable high-energy series |
| Approval | DLA Land and Maritime drawing 15010 | Not DLA 15010 approved by series name |
| Capacitance in published tables | 1,500 µF to 72,000 µF, including preliminary ratings | 1,500 µF to 96,000 µF |
| Voltage range | 25 VDC to 125 VDC in published table | 25 VDC to 125 VDC |
| Current released dash numbers | Must be verified against the latest DLA drawing | Standard EP2 ordering codes |
| Capacitance tolerance | ±20% standard; ±10% special | ±20% standard; ±10% special |
| Case sizes | A, B, C and D | A, B, C and D |
| Termination options | Radial leaded | Radial and SMD |
| Stud mounting | Optional | Optional |
| Minimum listed maximum ESR | Down to approximately 0.015 Ω, including preliminary ratings | Down to approximately 0.012Ω |
| Life test | 2,000 hours at +85°C and rated voltage | 2,000 hours at +85°C and rated voltage |
| Best reason to select | Drawing-controlled military procurement | Higher capacitance and mounting flexibility |
1. Vishay DLA 15010: DLA-Approved High-Energy Capacitors
DLA 15010 is designed for programs that require procurement against a controlled DLA Land and Maritime drawing. It combines high capacitance with an all-tantalum, hermetically sealed construction.
According to the Vishay DLA 15010 datasheet, the series provides:
Radial through-hole terminations
Optional 2-56 stainless-steel mounting studs
A, B, C and D case dimensions
±20% standard capacitance tolerance
±10% tolerance as a special option
Maximum ESR values specified at 1 kHz
A 2,000-hour life test at rated voltage and +85°C
Operation to +125°C with voltage derating
Examples of unflagged dash-number ratings in the May 2026 Vishay datasheet include:
| Part number | Capacitance | Voltage | Maximum ESR |
| 15010-52M | 12,600 µF | 60 V | 0.025 Ω |
| 15010-51M | 19,000 µF | 60 V | 0.017 Ω |
| 15010-22M | 9,400 µF | 63 V | 0.025 Ω |
| 15010-23M | 14,000 µF | 63 V | 0.017 Ω |
| 15010-54M | 18,000 µF | 63 V | 0.020 Ω |
| 15010-27M | 9,000 µF | 80 V | 0.018 Ω |
| 15010-55M | 3,000 µF | 100 V | 0.065 Ω |
2. Vishay EP2: Broader Capacitance and Mounting Options
EP2 uses the same general SuperTan high-energy technology but offers a broader catalog and more mechanical configurations.
The current Vishay EP2 datasheet specifies capacitance from 1,500 µF to 96,000 µF and voltage ratings from 25 VDC to 125 VDC.
Important EP2 advantages include:
Capacitance up to 96,000 µF
Maximum ESR down to 0.012 Ω
Radial through-hole configurations
SMD base configurations
Optional mounting studs
100% tin and tin/lead termination options
A, B, C and D case sizes
EP2 is suitable for industrial, avionics, military and space-related designs where a specific DLA-approved dash number is not mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DLA 15010 simply a military part number for EP2?
No. The two series use similar high-energy SuperTan technology, but DLA 15010 is controlled by a DLA drawing and uses approved dash numbers. EP2 uses the standard Vishay configurable ordering system.
Which series offers higher maximum capacitance?
EP2 reaches 96,000 µF in a D case at 25 V. The DLA 15010 published table currently reaches 72,000 µF, although that rating is marked preliminary in the manufacturer datasheet.
Can EP2 be used in military equipment?
EP2 is listed for avionics, military and space-related applications. However, it does not satisfy a DLA 15010 procurement requirement unless the program specifically approves its use.
Does DLA 15010 have an SMD version?
The DLA 15010 datasheet specifies radial leaded terminations. EP2 should be selected when an SMD base configuration is required.
Can these capacitors operate continuously at rated voltage at +125°C?
No. Their rated voltage applies through +85°C. Voltage derating is required for operation up to +125°C.
Why must the latest DLA drawing be checked?
The Vishay datasheet includes both approved and preliminary ratings. Only the current DLA drawing establishes the valid dash numbers and controlled requirements for procurement.
Stock and RFQ
DataStorageIC can assist with Vishay DLA 15010 and EP2 part-number selection, quotation and dimensional comparison.
For an accurate RFQ, provide:
Full part number or DLA dash number
Required capacitance and voltage
Quantity
Radial or SMD mounting
Stud-mount requirement
Lead-length requirement
Capacitance tolerance
Qualification and traceability requirements
Target delivery date
Availability, qualification documents, lead time and export eligibility are subject to confirmation. Visit the Vishay product page to submit an inquiry.
