15 µF bulk cap for 10 V rails — what the 1 Ohm ESR means
The TPSA156M010R1000: This is a 15 µF molded tantalum capacitor rated at 10 V with a 1 Ohm ESR in the 1206 case size. The 1 Ohm ESR is the number that decides whether it works as a bulk decoupling cap on a 10 V rail — at switching frequencies above a few hundred kHz, the ESR dominates the impedance, so the ripple current rating is set by I²R heating in the dielectric, not the capacitance alone.
RoHS and polarity — field-fit checklist
The TPSA156M010R1000 is RoHS compliant. Like all solid tantalum capacitors, it is polarized — the anode (+) is marked with a stripe on the molded body. The 1206 footprint is standard: 3.20 mm x 1.60 mm land pattern, 1.80 mm seated height. No special ESD precautions beyond normal handling; the molded case is not moisture-sensitive to JEDEC Level 1.