Capacitors Introduction

Capacitors store
charge and release it
when required.

When a capacitor is
connected to a
voltage source, it
V
becomes charged.

When the charge leaks

away, the capacitor is
said to be discharged.

The construction of the

capacitor determines
the amount of charge it
In this presentation you will:
can store.
 explore basic information about capacitor function, construction, types
and labelling
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Introduction Types of Capacitor

Capacitors

Axial electrolytic Radial electrolytic

Ceramic
Polyester

These capacitors are storing charge in a power supply. When a sudden Capacitors come in many shapes and sizes, depending upon their
demand of current occurs, they maintain a steady voltage by releasing construction.
their charge.
Next > Types of capacitor include polyester, ceramic and electrolytic. Next >

Basic Construction Charge on a Capacitor

Plate 1

Area

Distance
Q
Dielectric V C=
Plate 2
V

Two conducting surfaces that face each other across a small distance will
store an electric charge.
The amount of charge stored depends upon: The capacitance (C ) of a capacitor is defined as the amount of charge (Q )
 the distance between the plates stored when a voltage of one volt (V ) is applied across its plates.
 the area of the plates
 the material between the plates (called the dielectric) Next > Next >

1
Charge on a Capacitor Charge on a Capacitor

A dielectric is inserted Plate 1

between the plates to
prevent them touching
each other.
Q
V C=
V Dielectric
The dielectric also
increases the
capacitance of the Plate 2
capacitor.
Plate 1

Plate 2
Some capacitors use
an additional layer of
Capacitance is measured in farad (F), but it is more usual to see it dielectric so the
measured in sub-multiples: plates can be rolled
 millifarad (mF): 1,000 mF = 1 F to reduce the physical
 microfarad (µF): 1,000,000 µF = 1 F size of the capacitor. Dielectric

 nanofarad (nF): 1,000,000,000 nF = 1 F

 picofarad (pF) : 1,000,000,000,000 pF = 1 F Next > Next >

Question 1 Question 1

Which of these factors does NOT affect the amount of charge stored in a Which of these factors does NOT affect the amount of charge stored in a
capacitor? capacitor?

A) Metal of which the plates are constructed A) Metal of which the plates are constructed

B) Area of the plates B) Area of the plates

C) Material between the plates C) Material between the plates

D) Distance between the plates D) Distance between the plates

The amount of charge stored depends upon the distance between the plates,
their area and the dielectric material.

Next > Next >

Charge on a Capacitor Charge on a Capacitor

Axial electrolytic Radial electrolytic Axial electrolytic Radial electrolytic

Ceramic Ceramic
Polyester Polyester

The type of dielectric used in a capacitor gives its type, such as polyester, Ceramic and polyester capacitors will have small values in nanofarads and
ceramic and electrolytic. picofarads.

The dielectric also determines the range of capacitor values.

Electrolytic capacitors have larger values in microfarads.

Next > Next >

2
Working Voltage Labelling Capacitors

Plate 1

Plate 2

Value Code

Dielectric
Working voltage

The dielectric is very thin and can easily be damaged if the voltage across Capacitors are labelled in several different ways.
the capacitor is too high.
Electrolytic capacitors have the value written in full.
A capacitor’s working voltage must not be exceeded.
Some types of capacitor use a code to indicate the value.
Next > Next >

Labelling Capacitors Labelling Capacitors

One code system uses In another system, a

a 3 digit number to number on its own
indicate the capacitor indicates a value in
value in picofarads. microfarads.

The code 104 is one, 10 = 10 µF

zero, and 4 extra zeros,
which is 100,000 pF. A number followed by an
n indicates nanofarads.

15n = 15 nF

Next > Next >

Labelling Capacitors Question 2

The label also shows If a capacitor was marked 103 what would its value be?
the tolerance and
working voltage.
Give your answer in pF.

The table shows

the tolerance code
for capacitors.
Letter Code Tolerance (%)
F 1
It is not uncommon for
capacitors to have a G 2
tolerance of 20%. H 3

Some ceramic capacitors
have a tolerance of +80%
and -20%.
J 5
K 10
M 20
Z +80,-20

P +100,-0

Next > Next >

3
Question 2 Polarised Capacitors

If a capacitor was marked 103 what would its value be? Most capacitors can
be connected either
way around.
Give your answer in pF.

Electrolytic and tantalum

capacitors are polarised
and must only be
inserted in a circuit
one way.

10,000 pF

103 means: 1, 0 and three extra zeros

Electrolytic Tantulum

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Polarised Capacitors Capacitor Symbols

Polarised capacitors Here is the circuit

must be inserted with symbol for a non-
their negative terminals polarised capacitor.
connected to the
negative side of the Negative
terminal Non-polarised
circuit. The symbol for a
polarised capacitor is
Electrolytic
almost the same, except
The labelling on the for the addition of a
capacitor indicates the + sign on one terminal.
polarity of the terminals.

Positive
terminal Polarised

Tantulum

Next > Next >

Capacitor Datasheet Summary

A datasheet shows the General Purpose Radial Electrolytic In this presentation you have seen:
specification details for Capacitor - HB Series

capacitors:  how capacitors are constructed and labelled

 Capacitor value
 the factors affecting the value of capacitance
 Dielectric type
Fully sleeved radial wire ended aluminium electrolytic
capacitor for general purpose applications.
 that some capacitors must be connected in circuits the right way around
 Tolerance
Technical Specification

 Rated voltage Available in the following Values (µF):

10, 22, 33, 47, 100, 220, 330, 470, 1000, 2200

 Leakage current Rated at the following maximum voltages (V):

16, 35, 50, 63, 100, 250, 400, 450

 Working temperature Capacitance Tolerance:

±20%

Temperature Range:
Datasheets can also -25°C to +85°C
include case type and Leakage Current:
physical size. 1µA

Next > End