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Capacitor

What is capacitor

Capacitor is an electronic component that stores electric charge. The capacitor is made of 2 close conductors (usually plates) that are separated by a dielectric material. The plates accumulate electric charge when connected to power source. One plate accumulates positive charge and the other plate accumulates negative charge.

The capacitance is the amount of electric charge that is stored in the capacitor at voltage of 1 Volt.

The capacitance is measured in units of Farad [F] (usually in microfarad [μF] ).

Capacitor disconnects current in DC circuits and short circuit in AC circuits.

Capacitor pictures

Capacitor symbols

Capacitor
Polarized capacitor
Variable capacitor
  

Capacitance

The capacitance (C) of the capacitor is equal to the electric charge (Q) divided by the voltage (V):

C=\frac{Q}{V}

C is the capacitance in Farad [F].

Q is the electric charge that is stored on the capacitor, in Coulomb [C].

V is the voltage between the capacitor's plates in volts [V].

Capacitance of plates capacitor

The capacitance (C) of the plates capacitor is equal to the permittivity (ε) times the plate area (A) divided by the gap or distance between the plates (d):

 

C=\varepsilon \times \frac{A}{d}

C is the capacitance of the capacitor, in Farad [F].

ε is the permittivity of the capacitor's dialectic material, in Farad per meter [F/m].

A is the area of the capacitor's plate in square meters [m2].

d is the distance between the capacitor's plates, in meters [m].

Capacitors in series

 

The total capacitance of capacitors in series, C1,C2,C3,.. :

\frac{1}{C_{Total}}=\frac{1}{C_{1}}+\frac{1}{C_{2}}+\frac{1}{C_{3}}+...

Capacitors in parallel

The total capacitance of capacitors in parallel, C1,C2,C3,.. :

CTotal = C1+C2+C3+...

Capacitor's current

The capacitor's momentary current ic(t) is equal to the capacitance of the capacitor, times the derivative of the momentary capacitor's voltage vc(t):

i_c(t)=C\frac{dv_c(t)}{dt}

Capacitor's voltage

The capacitor's momentary voltage vc(t) is equal to the initial voltage of the capacitor, plus 1/C times the integral of the momentary capacitor's current ic(t) over time t:

v_c(t)=v_c(0)+\frac{1}{C}\int_{0}^{t}i_c(\tau)d\tau

Energy of capacitor

EC = C·V 2 / 2

AC circuits

Angular frequency

ω = 2π f

ω - angular velocity measured in radians per second [rad/s]

f  - frequency measured in hertz [Hz].

Capacitor's reactance

X_C = -\frac{1}{\omega C}

Capacitor's impedance

Cartesian form:

Z_C = jX_C = -j\frac{1}{\omega C}

Polar form:

ZC = XC∟-90º

Capacitor types

Variable capacitor Variable capacitor has changeable capacitance
Electrolytic capacitor Electrolytic capacitors are used when high capacitance is needed. Most of the electrolytic capacitors are polarized
Spherical capacitor Spherical capacitor has a sphere shape
Power capacitor Power capacitors are used in high voltage power systems.
Ceramic capacitor Ceramic capacitor has ceramic dielectric material. Has high voltage functionality.
Tantalum capacitor Tantalum oxide dielectric material. Has high capacitance
Mica capacitor High accuracy capacitors
Paper capacitor Paper dielectric material

How a capacitor works

 

 

See also:

 

 

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