A capacitor assembly has series-connected capacitor element groups, each with a plurality of capacitor elements connected in parallel. The capacitor elements are divided into a first sub-set and a second sub-set. The capacitor elements of the first sub-set have a fuse while those of the second sub-set do not have a fuse. Extended operation is achieved even in the event of individual malfunctioning capacitor elements by using capacitor elements with fuses to separate the corresponding capacitor element in the event of a failure without generating a substantial change in the capacitance of the entire capacitor assembly. In order to prevent an avalanche effect in which the entire capacitor element group is separated, a sub-set of the capacitor elements do not have a fuse, so that a capacitor element is always provided which generates a bridge of the respective capacitor element group in the event of a failure.