› A capacitor consists of two conductors
separated by a dielectric (insulator).
› Capacitors store energy in the electric field.
› Storage means the charge remains after the
voltage source is disconnected.
› The measure of how much charge is stored
is the capacitance C.
› Components made to provide a specified
amount of capacitance are called
capacitors, or by their old name
condensers.
› Blocks DC, Passes AC
› Applying a voltage to a discharged
capacitor causes a current to charge the
capacitor.
› Connecting a path across the terminals of
a charged capacitor causes current to flow
which discharges the capacitor.
› A capacitor concentrates the electric field
in the dielectric between the plates
Circuit Symbol
Measured in
Farads
› The value of a capacitor is:
Proportional to plate area (A) in meters.
Inversely proportional to the spacing (d)
between the plates in meters.
Proportional to the dielectric constant (Kε )
of the material between the plates.
› Capacitors are classified by dielectric.
air, mica, paper, plastic film, ceramic,
electrolytic.
› They can be connected to a circuit without
regard to polarity (except for electrolytic
capacitors).
Fixed
Non-Polarized
Electrolytic
Variable
Fixed – mica, ceramic, electrolytic,
tantalum and polyester-film
Mica capacitor consists of mica sheets
separated by sheets of metal foil. The
plates are connected to two electrodes.
The entire system is encased in a plastic
insulating material.
The mica capacitor exhibits excellent
characteristics under stress of temperature
variations and high voltage applications.
Most commonly used in situations where
capacitances of the order of one to several
thousand microfarads are required.
Primarily for use in dc networks because they have
good insulating characteristics (high leakage
current) between the plates in one direction but take
on the characteristics of a conductor in the other
direction.
Basic construction consists of a roll of aluminum foil
coated on one side with an aluminum oxide, the
aluminum being the positive plate and the oxide the
dielectric. A layer of paper or gauze saturated with
an electrolyte is placed over the aluminum oxide on
the positive plate. Another layer of aluminum
without the oxide is then placed over this layer to
assume the role of the negative plate.
Made in different shapes and sizes but
the basic construction is the same
A ceramic base is coated on both sides
with a metal, such as copper or silver, to
act as the two plates. The leads are then
attached through electrodes to the plates.
An insulating coating of ceramic or plastic
is then applied over the plates and
dielectric.
Ceramic capacitors have very low leakage
current and can be used in both dc and ac
networks.
Basic construction consists of two metal
foils separated by a strip of polyester
material such as Mylar. The outside layer
of polyester is applied to act as an
insulating jacket.
Each metal jacket is connected to a lead that
extends either axially or radially from the
capacitor.
The rolled construction results in a large
surface, and the use of the plastic dielectric
results in a very thin layer between the
conducting surfaces.
The capacitor can be used for both dc and ac
networks.
Most common are shown in the figure below. The
dielectric for each is air. The capacitance is
changed by turning the shaft at one end to vary
the common area of the movable and fixed
plates. The greater the common area the larger
the capacitance.
