CAPACITOR

CAPACITOR
INTRODCUTION
Capacitors are simple passive device that can store an electrical charge on their plates
when connected to a voltage source In electrical engineering, a capacitor is a device
that stores electrical energy by accumulating electric charges on two closely spaced
surfaces that are insulated from each other. The capacitor was originally known as the
condenser, a term still encountered in a few compound names, such as the condenser
microphone. It is a passive electronic component with two terminals.
The utility of a capacitor depends on its capacitance. While some capacitance exists
between any two electrical conductors in proximity in a circuit, a capacitor is a
component designed specifically to add capacitance to some part of the circuit.
What Is a Capacitor?
A capacitor is a device in which electrical energy can be stored. It is an arrangement of
two conductors, generally carrying charges of equal magnitudes and opposite signs,
and separated by an insulating medium. The non-conductive region can either be an
electric insulator or vacuum, such as glass, paper or air, or a semi-conductor called a
dielectric. A capacitor is defined as a passive component which is used for storing
electrical energy. A capacitor is made of two conductors that are separated by
the dielectric material. These dielectric materials are in the form of plates which can
accumulate charges. One plate is for a positive charge while the other is for a negative
charge.
Capacitance is the effect of the capacitor. Capacitance is defined as the ratio of
electric charge Q to the voltage V and it is expressed as
C = Q/V
Where,
 Q is the electric charge measured in coulombs
 C is the capacitance measured in farad
 V is the voltage across the plates measured in volts
How Are Capacitors Classified?
According to structure, capacitors are classified as:
 Fixed Capacitors
 Variable Capacitors
 Trimmer Capacitors
The capacitors are classified into two types according to polarization:
 Polarized
 Unpolarized
  A polarized capacitor is an important electronic circuit component and
is often termed an electrolytic capacitor. These capacitors are used to
achieve high capacitive density.
 Unpolarized capacitors are preferred over polarized capacitors because
it doesn’t get destroyed by reverse voltage and can be used in pure AC
circuits. They also find applications in DC circuits as they don’t have
positive and negative ends. The frequency of the unpolarized capacitor
is high, and the leakage current is low. After understanding the
classification of capacitors, let us learn about capacitor types.
Types of Capacitors
Let us now know various types of capacitors. Capacitors are categorized into 2
mechanical groups. Fixed Capacitors consist of fixed capacitance value and variable
capacitance with variable capacitance value. Beneath are a brief description of
various capacitor types and their properties.
 Ceramic Capacitors
 Film Capacitors
 Power Film Capacitors
 Electrolytic Capacitors
 Ceramic capacitors
 Film capacitors
 Paper Capacitors
 Electrolytic capacitors
Ceramic Capacitors
A ceramic capacitor is considered to be one of the most commonly used capacitors.
The material used in this capacitor type is dielectric. Also, ceramic capacitors are
non-polar devices which means that they can be used in any direction in the circuit.
Ceramic Capacitor Symbol

Depending on the availability of the capacitor, ceramic capacitors are classified into
three groups:
  Leaded disc ceramic capacitors
 Surface mount multi-layered ceramic capacitors
 Microwave bare lead-less disc ceramic capacitors
Depending on the temperature range, temperature drift, and tolerance, ceramic
capacitors are classified into the following classes:
 Class 1 ceramic capacitors: These capacitors are considered to be the most
stable capacitors with linear characteristics.
 Class 2 ceramic capacitors: These capacitors perform better for volumetric
efficiency but their accuracy and stability are at stake. They find applications
in coupling and decoupling.
 Class 3 ceramic capacitors: These capacitors have high volumetric efficiency
with low accuracy and low dissipation factor. They are used in decoupling.
Applications of Ceramic Capacitors
 Ceramic capacitors are used in printed circuit boards that are used in high-
density applications.
 Their non-polarity makes them suitable for general usage.
 They find applications in DC motors as they are used for reducing the RF
noise.
 Ceramic capacitors are used in transmitter stations where resonant circuits are
used.
Film Capacitors
Film capacitors are also known as a polymer film, plastic film, or film dielectric. The
advantage of film capacitors is that they are inexpensive and come with limitless
shelf life. The film capacitor uses a thin dielectric material with the other side of the
capacitor metalized. Depending on the application, the film capacitor is rolled into
thin films. The general voltage range of these capacitors is from 50 V to 2 kV.
Film Capacitor Symbol
Types of Film Capacitors
Depending on the dielectric material used and applications, the following is the
classification of the film capacitor:
 Heavy-duty snubber capacitors
 SMD style capacitors
 Axial style capacitors
 Radial style capacitors
Applications of Film Capacitors
 These capacitors are used as safety capacitors and in electromagnetic
interference.
 Power film capacitors find applications in power electronics.
 These capacitors are used for safeguarding the devices from sudden voltage
spikes.
 Film capacitors are used for improving the power factor of the device.

Electrolytic Capacitors
In an electrolytic capacitor metallic anode coated with an oxidized layer used as a
dielectric. These capacitors are polarized. Electrolytic capacitors are categorized
based on their dielectric.
 Aluminum electrolytic capacitors – aluminum oxide (dielectric).
  Tantalum electrolytic capacitors – tantalum pentoxide (dielectric).
 Niobium electrolytic capacitors – niobium pentoxide (dielectric).
Electrolytic Capacitor Symbol

Applications of Electrolytic Capacitors

 Electrolytic capacitors are used when there is a requirement for large
capacitance.
 They are used as filtering devices that lower the ripple voltage.
 They are used in audio amplifiers to reduce the electrical noise that is induced
by the main supply.
 Electrolytic capacitors are used in smoothing the input and output signals in a
DC signal that has a weak AC component.
How Are Capacitors Connected?
Capacitors combination can be made in many ways. The combination is connected
to a battery to apply a potential difference (V) and charge the plates (Q). We can
define the equivalent capacitance of the combination between two points to be
C=QV
Two frequently used methods of combination are: Parallel combination and series
combination
Parallel Combination of Capacitors
When capacitors are connected in parallel, the potential difference V across each is
the same and the charge on C1 and C2 is different, i.e., Q1 and Q2.
The total charge in Q is given as:
Q=Q1+Q2
Q=C1V+C2V
QV=C1+C2
The equivalent capacitance between a and b is:
C = C1 + C 2
In case of more than two capacitors, C = C1 + C2 + C3 + C4 + C5 + …………
Series Combination of Capacitors
When capacitors are connected in series, the magnitude of charge Q on each
capacitor is the same. The potential difference across C1 and C2 is different, i.e.,
V1 and V2.

Q = C1 V1 = C2 V2
The total potential difference across combination is:
V = V1 + V2
The ratio Q/V is called the equivalent capacitance C between points a and b.
The equivalent capacitance C is given by:
1/C=1/C1+1/C2
 If N identical capacitors of capacitance C are connected in series, then effective
capacitance = C/N
 If N identical capacitors of capacitance C are connected in parallel, then
effective capacitance = CN
Parallel Plate Capacitor

The parallel plate capacitor consists of two metal plates of area A, and is separated by a
distance d. The plate on the top is given a charge +Q, and that at the bottom is given
the charge –Q. A potential difference of V is developed between the plates.

The separation is very small compared to the dimensions of the plate, so the effect of
bending outward of electric field lines at the edges and the non-uniformity of surface
charge density at the edges can be ignored.

The charge density on each plate of the parallel plate capacitor has a magnitude of σ.

σ = Q/A

How to Calculate the Energy Stored in Capacitor?

Work has to be done to transfer charges onto a conductor against the force of
repulsion from the already existing charges on it. This work done to charge from one
plate to the other is stored as the potential energy of the electric field of the
conductor.
Energy stored in a capacitor

How to Identify the Polarity of a Polar Capacitor?

Be extremely keen when choosing a polar capacitor since their polarities vary. So,
which methods can you use to identify a polar capacitor’s polarity?

Here are a few considerations;

 Visual Identification

You can visually identify a capacitor’s polarity with the following means:

The polarity of aluminum electrolytic capacitors

They are generally grey. The aluminum capacitor type also has non-identical sides
with trapezoidal and right-angle corners that help identify the polarity (geometrical
configuration).

Its black-colored part shows the cathode or negative pole, whereas the gray-colored
side indicates the anode (positive pole).
Therefore, the pin corresponding to the trapezoidal edge represents the anode, while
the pin corresponding to the right-angle base edge is the cathode.

Tantalum capacitors polarity

Polarized tantalum capacitors have negative and positive poles. Its designation is also
a surface mount to fit on a circuit board, and it has a yellow color.

(tantalum capacitors)

Furthermore, one of its marked ends (in-dash) indicates the positive pole, making the
other end a negative pole.

Radial electrolytic capacitors’ polarity

A radial electrolytic capacitor cover has a green-black or black-gray color and two pins
with different lengths as a means of polarity identification
APPLICATIONS OF CAPACITOR
 Storing electric potential energy such as batteries.
 Filtering out unwanted frequency signals
 Delaying voltage changes when coupled with resistors.
 Used as a sensing device.
 Used in the audio system of the vehicle.
 Used to separate AC and DC.
CONCLUSION
 Capacitors are charge storing devices that are used in circuits.
 Capacitors can be charged by applying an electric current across its terminals.
 Positive and negative charges build up along the two plates of a capacitors.
 The capacitance definition physics is the ratio of maximum charge Q that the
capacitor can hold to the applied voltage V across its plates.
REFERENCES
https://inspiritvr.com/capacitance-study-guide/
https://www.wellpcb.com/blog/components/do-capacitors-have-polarity/
https://byjus.com/jee/capacitor-types-and-capacitance/