School of Electrical Information

Chapter6
Capacitors and Inductors
 6.1 Introduction
Ø What we have learned?
resistive circuits
Ø What we will learn?
two new and important passive linear circuit elements
ü capacitor
ü inductor

Capacitors and inductors do not dissipate energy but store energy.

storage elements

The v-i characteristics of capacitors and inductors are performed

dynamically.

dynamic elements

rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 103

 6.2 Capacitors

! = #$ (&) #: capacitance

)!
(= (+)
)*

)$
(=# (,)
)*

)$
- = $( = #$ (.)
)*

* * *
)$ &
/ = 0 -)* = # 0 $ )* = # 0 $)$ = #$+
12 12 )* 12 +

& +
/= #$ (3)
+
rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 104
 6.2 Capacitors

Keep in mind:

A capacitor is an open circuit to DC.

The voltage on a capacitor cannot change abruptly.

Conversely, the current through a capacitor can change
instantaneously.

An ideal capacitor does not dissipate energy, but take power

from the circuit and return it periodically.

rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 105

 6.3 Series and Parallel Capacitors
Ø Equivalent capacitance of N parallel-connected capacitors is the sum
of the individual capacitances.

rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 106

 6.3 Series and Parallel Capacitors
Ø Equivalent capacitance of series-connected capacitors is the reciprocal
of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual capacitances.

rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 107

 6.4 Inductors
$%
!=# (()
$&

$%
* = !% = #% (+)
$&

& & &

$% (
, = - *$& = # - % $& = # - %$! = #%+
./ ./ $& ./ +

( +
, = #% (0)
+

rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 108

 6.4 Inductors

Keep in mind:

An inductor acts like a short circuit to DC.

The current through an inductor cannot change abruptly.

Conversely, the voltage across an inductor can change
instantaneously.

An ideal inductor does not dissipate energy, but take power

from the circuit and return it periodically.

rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 109

 6.3 Series and Parallel Inductors
Ø Equivalent inductance of series-connected inductors is the sum
of the individual inductances.

rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 110

 6.3 Series and Parallel Inductors
Ø Equivalent inductance of parallel inductors is the reciprocal of the
sum of the reciprocals of the individual inductances.

rencheng@swpu.edu.cn Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 111