LL218 Capacitance

Trade of Electrician
Standards Based Apprenticeship
Capacitance
Phase 2
Module No. 2.1
Unit No. 2.1.8
COURSE NOTES
Certification & Standards Department

SOLAS Certification and Standards Electrical Course Notes - Unit 2.1.8
Created by Gerry Ryan - Galway TC
Revision 1 April 2000 by

Gerry Ryan - Galway TC
John Watters - Sligo TC
Revision 2 Nov. 2002 by

Gerry Ryan - Galway TC
Chris Ludlow - DundalkTC
Revision 3 Aug 2006 by

Chris Ludlow - DundalkTC
Revision 4, November 2013

SOLAS
Compiled by Liam Carroll – Certification & Standards
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2 Revision 4, November 2013

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 4
CAPACITANCE ............................................................................................................................................ 5
THE UNIT OF CAPACITANCE ................................................................................................................. 6
CHARGING OF CAPACITORS ................................................................................................................. 7
FACTORS AFFECTING THE VALUE OF THE CHARGE ON A CAPACITOR ............................... 9
FACTORS AFFECTING THE CAPACITANCE OF A CAPACITOR ................................................ 10
ENERGY STORED IN A CAPACITOR .................................................................................................. 13
CAPACITOR TYPES ................................................................................................................................. 13
CONSTRUCTION OF CAPACITORS ..................................................................................................... 14
MICA, CERAMIC AND MYLAR CAPACITORS.................................................................................. 14
ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS ............................................................................................................ 15
CAPACITOR TOLERANCES................................................................................................................... 15
CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL ................................................................................................................. 16
CAPACITORS IN SERIES ........................................................................................................................ 20
CHARGE IN A SERIES CIRCUIT ........................................................................................................... 21
TOTAL STORED CHARGE ..................................................................................................................... 23
POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE ..................................................................................................................... 24
WORKING VOLTAGE OF A CAPACITOR .......................................................................................... 26
SERIES / PARALLEL CAPACITOR CALCULATIONS ...................................................................... 27
CAPACITOR FAULTS .............................................................................................................................. 33
POTENTIAL DANGERS WITH CAPACITORS .................................................................................... 34
SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................. 35

Introduction
Welcome to this section of your course, which is designed to assist you the learner, understand
what a capacitor is, how it is used in basic electrical circuits and complete basic circuit
calculations.
Objectives
By the end of this unit you will be able to:
 Understand the term capacitance

 Define the unit of capacitance
 Understand how a capacitor is charged
 List the factors affecting the charge on a capacitor
 List the factors affecting the capacitance of a capacitor
 Understand that energy can be stored in a capacitor
 List capacitor types
 Understand basic construction of capacitors
 Calculate total capacitance of capacitors in parallel
 Calculate total capacitance of capacitors in series
 Understand charge in a series circuit
 Calculate total stored charge in a series circuit
 Explain the term “working voltage of a capacitor”
 Calculate total capacitance of capacitors in series-parallel
 Test capacitors with a multimeter
 List potential dangers with capacitors
Reasons
Capacitors are widely used in electrical equipment. Being able to identify, test and replace a
faulty capacitor will be of great benefit to you in fault finding.

Capacitance
The capacitor is a very common electrical component. It is used to store electrical energy. The
term “capacitance” means, the ability to store energy in the form of an electrical charge.
The capacitive effect is of great benefit in electrical / electronic circuitry. For example,
controlling AC current, tuning radio receivers, time-delay circuits, separating of AC currents
from DC currents, power factor correction, fluorescent lamps and starting of single phase
motors.
A capacitor consists of two conducting surfaces or plates, placed very close together but
separated by an insulator called a dielectric. See Figure 1. The circuit schematic symbols for
capacitors are also shown.
Plates
+
Fixed Electrolytic
- (Polarised)
Variable Pre-Set
Dielectric
Capacitor Construction Capacitor Symbols
Figure 1

The Unit of Capacitance

The unit of Capacitance is the Farad ( F ) and may be defined as:
One Farad is the amount of capacitance that will store a charge of one Coulomb when an EMF
of one Volt is applied.
Hence:
Charge = Capacitance x Voltage
Q = Capacitance ( Farads ) x Voltage ( Volts )
Q = C x U
Q = The stored charge in the capacitor and is expressed in Coulombs. Earlier we learned that
Coulombs are equal to current ( amperes ) multiplied by
time ( seconds ) or Q = I x t.
C = Capacitance is measured in Farads. It must be remembered that the unit of 1 Farad

represents a very large charge. Actual capacitor values will be in Microfarads,
Nanofarads or Picofarads where:
1 1
One Microfarad = ———— or — or 10-6 Farads
1,000,000 106
1 1
One Nanofarad = —————— or — or 10-9 Farads
1,000,000,000 109
1 1
One Picofarad = ——————— or — or 10-12 Farads
1,000,000,000,000 1012
If a capacitor were marked with a value of 1000 pF, it could equally have been marked with a
value of 1 nF. Similarly, a capacitor of 0.001 µF could have been marked 1 NF. Therefore it
can be seen that there are one thousand Picofarads in a Nanofarad, and also that there are 1
thousand Nanofarads in a Microfarad.
It is common practice to represent the prefix “micro” by the Greek letter µ. For example, 10
microfarads may be written 10µF. The value of capacitance is usually clearly marked on the
body of the capacitor.

Charging of Capacitors
Refer to Figure 2. When the switch is closed, electrons on the upper plate A are attracted to the
positive pole of the battery. This leaves a shortage of electrons on plate A, which, is therefore
positively charged. At the same time, electrons gather on the lower plate, B, causing it to
become negatively charged. Since plates A and B are now charged with opposite polarity, there
is a difference of potential between them. When this difference of potential is equal to the
battery voltage, no more charge can be placed on the capacitor. Notice that the capacitor
voltage has an opposing polarity to that of the battery. When the capacitor cannot be charged
any further, we consider it to be, fully charged.
If the switch is now opened the capacitor will remain charged, because there is no path for the
excess electrons on plate B to flow to plate A.
Plates
Switch
A +
A DC
B Supply
Air Insulation
(Dielectric) Direction of Flow of Electrons
when Capacitor is charging
Figure 2
Refer to Figure 3. If a wire link is placed across the plates of a charged capacitor, electrons will
flow from B to A. This action discharges the capacitor and returns it to the uncharged state.
A A
++++++
Wire Discharged
Link ------
B B
Flow of Electrons
Figure 3

Example 1
Calculate the charge on a 10µF capacitor when it is connected across a 200V DC supply.
C = 10µF = 10 x 10-6 Farads

U = 200 Volts
Q = C x U
Q = 10 x 10-6 x 200
Q = 0.002 Coulombs
Example 2
A steady current of 10 Amps flows into a previously discharged capacitor for 20 seconds, when
the potential difference between the plates is 600 Volts. What is the capacitance of the
capacitor?
I = 10 Amps
t = 20 Seconds
Q = I x t
Q = 10 x 20
Q = 200 Coulombs
Q = C x U
To get C on its own we transform the formula:
Q
C = —
U
200
C = ——
600
C = 0.33 Farads

Factors affecting the Value of the Charge on a Capacitor

From the previous exercises it can be seen that the factors affecting the value of the charge on a
capacitor depends upon the capacitance and the voltage:
Q = C x U
The greater the capacitance of a capacitor, the greater the charge for the same applied voltage.
If 10 Volts is applied to a capacitor, it will charge to 10 Volts, after which no more charging
occurs. The charge remains on the capacitor with or without the applied voltage connected.
When the voltage across the capacitor equals the supply voltage, no further current will flow.
The capacitor is now fully charged and will remain charged even if disconnected from the
supply. See Figure 4.
Switch
+ + +
10V C 10V C 10V

-
- -
Figure 4

Factors affecting the Capacitance of a Capacitor

The greater the capacitance of a capacitor the greater the charge for the same applied voltage.
The factors affecting capacitance are:
1. Plate Area
2. Plate Spacing ( distance between the plates )
3. Dielectric Material.
(1) Plate Area
If the plate area of a capacitor is increased there is a corresponding increase in capacitance,

provided there is no change in the distance between the plates or in the dielectric material. See
Figure 5.
Capacitance is directly proportional to plate area;
C  a
A
Distance
Figure 5
When two capacitors are placed in parallel, the plate area is increased and so the capacitance is
increased. See Figure 6.
2C
=
C
Figure 6

(2) Plate Spacing
The capacitance of a capacitor changes when the distance between the plates changes. It
increases when the plates are brought closer together and decreases when they are moved
further apart.
Refer to Figure 7. Plates ( a ) have more capacitance than plates ( b ).
Capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates;
1
C  —
d
Where d = distance between plates
Distance
Distance
(A) (B)
Figure 7
Refer to Figure 8. When two capacitors are connected in series, the distance between the plates
has increased so the capacitance has decreased.
C C 0.5C
=
Figure 8

(3) Dielectric Material
Using the same plates fixed a certain distance apart, the capacitance will change if different
insulating materials are used for the dielectric. The effect of different materials is compared to
that of air - that is, if the capacitor has a given capacitance when air is used as the dielectric,
other materials used instead of air will multiply the capacitance by a certain amount called the
“dielectric constant”.
Changing the Dielectric Material changes the capacitance. See Figure 9.
Dielectric Material is Air Dielectric Material is Mica

Figure 9
For example, some types of oiled paper have a dielectric constant of 3; and if such oiled or
waxed paper is placed between the plates, the capacitance will be 3 times greater than it would
be if the dielectric was air.
Different materials have different dielectric constants and so will alter the capacitance when
they are placed between the plates to act as the dielectric. Listed below are the Dielectric
Constants for typical materials
Air 1.0
Quartz 3.4 to 4.2
Glass 5.1 to 8.0
Mica 7.0 to 8.0

Energy stored in a Capacitor

When a capacitor is fully charged and immediately disconnected from the supply, the capacitor
will remain charged.
If the capacitor is now shorted out by a piece of conductor the energy stored in the capacitor
will be dissipated in the form of a spark / crack of the discharging current.
The energy stored in the capacitor is measured in joules ( symbol W ). The larger the
capacitance value, the greater the energy stored by the capacitor, for a given voltage.
Capacitor Types
Capacitors can be divided into two types, polarised, and non-polarised.
Polarised types include the standard aluminium electrolytic and tantalum electrolytic
capacitors. They are widely used in power supplies. Both types have positive and negative
terminals and must be correctly connected in order to maintain the dielectric action.
See Figure 10.
+
-
Capacitor Symbol
Electrolytic Electrolytic Tantalum
Figure 10
Non-polarised capacitors such as the polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyester, polystyrene,

mica and ceramic types can be connected either way round. They all have extremely good
dielectric properties. See Figure 11.
Capacitor Symbol
General Mica Polyester Ceramic
Figure 11

Construction of Capacitors
General-purpose capacitors use wax or oil impregnated paper as the dielectric. Two long
rectangular aluminium foils, separated by two slightly larger strips of the impregnated paper,
are rolled up. They are then inserted into an insulated cylinder and sealed at the ends. A lead is
brought out from each plate to enable the device to be connected to a circuit. Refer to Figure
12.
Connecting Lead Aluminium Foil Plate
Connecting Lead Waxed Paper Dielectric

Figure 12
Mica, Ceramic and Mylar Capacitors

Capacitors using mica dielectric have a capacitance range from a few pF to 0.02µF. These are
usually precision capacitors, with high working voltages and excellent long-term stability.
Ceramic and mylar type capacitors each exhibit certain advantages in particular circuit
applications. Different capacitor types usually derive their names from the types of dielectric
used. See Figure 13.
Plate Plate
Connecting Connecting
Lead Lead
Mica Dielectric
Figure 13

Electrolytic Capacitors
Using normal construction, capacitors above 2µF become very bulky and cumbersome. The
electrolytic capacitor has a large capacitance within a package, which is much smaller than if
normal construction were used.
The dielectric of electrolytic capacitors consists of a thin film of oxide formed by

electrochemical action directly on a metal foil plate. The other plate consists of a paste
electrolyte.
See Figure 14.
Negative Plate ( Gauze Separator Saturated with Electrolyte )
Oxide Film
Positive Electrode ( Aluminium Foil )
Figure 14
The large capacitance is a result of the oxide dielectric layer being extremely thin and the
effective plate area being much increased by etching. An electrolytic capacitor is a polarised
component, which means it must be connected into a circuit according to the plus and minus
markings on its case. If it is connected wrong the capacitor is usually destroyed and may
explode. They range in values from 1µF to 10,000µF.
Capacitor Tolerances
Ceramic disk capacitors for general applications usually have a tolerance of ± 20%.
Paper capacitors usually have a tolerance of ± 10%.
For closer tolerances, Mica and Ceramic tubular capacitors are used. These have tolerance
values of ± 2 to 20%.
Silver plated Mica capacitors are available with a tolerance of ± 1%.
The tolerances may be less on the minus side to make sure there is enough capacitance,
particularly with electrolytic capacitors, which have a wide tolerance. For instance, a 20µF
electrolytic with a tolerance of -10%, + 50% may have a capacitance of 18 to 30 µF. However,
the exact capacitance value is not critical in most applications of capacitors.

Capacitors in Parallel
When two or more capacitors are connected in parallel the plate area is increased and so the
capacitance is increased. See Figure 15.
C1
C2
U
Figure 15
Therefore the total capacitance ( CT ) is the sum of the individual capacitances in a parallel.
CT = C1 + C2 + . . . . . CN
When the group is connected to a supply U, the capacitors will each store a charge, and we will
refer to these as Q1 and Q2 respectively. The total stored charge QT will be the sum of the
individual charges:
QT = Q1 + Q2
As U is the same in a parallel circuit:
CT = C1 + C2

Example 1
Two capacitors of capacitance 2µF and 5µF are connected in parallel to a 20V DC supply.
Calculate:
(a) The equivalent capacitance of the group

(b) The total charge
(c) The charge on each capacitor.
Solution 1
2µF
C1
5µF
C2
20 Volts DC
+ -
(a) CT = C1 + C2
CT = 2 + 5
CT = 7µF
(b) The total charge:

QT = CT x U
-6
QT = 7 x 10 x 20
QT = 140 x 10-6 Coulombs
The charge on each capacitor is found by the formula: Q = C x U

As the capacitors are in parallel the voltage across them is the same.
Charge on 2µF:
Q1 = 2 x 10-6 x 20 = 40 x 10-6 Coulombs
Charge on 5µF:
Q2 = 5 x 10-6 x 20 = 100 x 10-6 Coulombs
Check: QT = Q1 + Q2
140 x 10-6 = 40 x 10-6 + 100 x 10-6

Example 2
Five capacitors of capacitance 20µF, 100µF, 50µF, 300µF and 40µF respectively are connected
in parallel to a 1000V supply.
Calculate:
(a) The equivalent capacitance of the group
(b) The total charge
(c) The charge on each capacitor.
Solution 2
20µF
C1
100µF
C2
50µF
C3
300µF
C4
40µF
C5
1000 Volts DC
+ -
(a) CT = C1 + C2 + C3 + C4 + C5
CT = 20 + 100 + 50 + 300 + 40 = 510µF
QT = CT x U
QT = 510 x 10-6 x 1000 = 0.51 Coulombs

(c) Q1 = C1 x U
Q1 = 20 x 10-6 x 1000 = 0.02 Coulombs
Q2 = C2 x U
Q2 = 100 x 10-6 x 1000 = 0.1 Coulombs
Q3 = C3 x U
Q3 = 50 x 10-6 x 1000 = 0.05 Coulombs
Q4 = C4 x U
Q4 = 300 x 10-6 x 1000 = 0.3 Coulombs
Q5 = C5 x U
Q5 = 40 x 10-6 x 1000 = 0.04 Coulombs
Check:
QT = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + Q4 + Q5
QT = 0.02 + 0.1 + 0.05 + 0.3 + 0.04
QT = 0.51 Coulombs

Capacitors in Series
Consider the effect of connecting two similar capacitors in series. The plate area remains the
same, but the thickness of the dielectric increases. See Figure 16.
CT
C1 d1
d1 + d2
Acts like
C2 d2
Plate area remains the same Thicker Dielectric Decreases Capacitance

Figure 16
1
Capacitance  —————
distance ( d )
1
Distance  —————
Capacitance
If all the distances between the plates of the capacitors are combined, there would be in effect,
one capacitor of distance dT ( d1 + d2 = dT ).
Series Capacitance Formula

1 1 1 1
— = — + — + . . . . . . .. —
CT C1 C2 CN
Note:
The total capacitance in a series circuit is calculated in the same manner as the total resistance
in a parallel circuit.
The total capacitance in a parallel circuit is calculated in the same manner as the total
resistance in a series circuit.

Charge in a series circuit

Just as current is the same in all resistors in a series circuit; charge is the same in all capacitors
in a series circuit. This is because the same charging current must flow in all parts of a series
circuit for the same time.
Q1 Q2 Q3
C1 C2 C3
QT = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 ( Coulombs )

Example 1
Calculate the total capacitance of three capacitors of values 10µF, 30µF and 60µF connected in
series.
Solution
10µF 30µF 60µF
C1 C2 C3
1 1 1 1
— = — + — + —
CT C1 C2 C3
1 1 1 1
— = — + — + —
CT 10 30 60
1 6 + 2 + 1 9
— = ——————— = —
CT 60 60
60
CT = — = 6.66µF ( to 2 decimal places )
9
This example makes it clear that the total capacitance of a string of series connected capacitors
is less than that of the smallest individual capacitor. This also applies to resistors in parallel.

Total Stored Charge

The total charge can now be calculated for the previous example when connected to a 200 Volt
supply.
10µF 30µF 60µF
C1 C2 C3
U = 200 Volts DC
QT = CT x U ( Coulombs )
QT = 6.66 x 10-6 x 200

Since the capacitors are connected in series, the charge on each is the same as the total charge,
i.e. 1333 x 10-6 Coulombs.

Potential Difference
The supply voltage is U and the volt drops across the individual capacitors C1, C2 and C3 are
U1, U2 and U3 respectively, since the capacitors are all in series:
UT = U1 + U2 + U3
Q
Q = C x U U1 = —
C1
Q 1333 x 10-6 1333

U1 = — = ———— = —— = 133.30 Volts
C1 10 x 10-6 10
Q 1333 x 10-6 1333

U2 = — = ———— = —— = 44.43 volts
C2 30 x 10-6 30
Q 1333 x 10-6 1333

U3 = — = ———— = —— = 22.21 volts
C3 60 x 10-6 60
Note:
The sum of the three individual volt drops, across the three capacitors equals the supply
voltage. The larger volt drop is across the smaller value capacitor and the smaller volt drop is
across the larger value capacitor.

Example
Three capacitors of values 6µF, 8µF and 16µF respectively are connected in series to a 100 V
DC supply. Calculate:
(1) The total capacitance of the circuit

(2) The total stored charge
(3) The volt drop across each capacitor.
Solution
1 1 1 1
(1) — = — + — + —
CT C1 C2 C3
1 1 1 1
— = — + — + —
CT 6 8 16
1 8 + 6 + 3 17
— = —————— = —
CT 48 48
48
CT = — = 2.82µF
17
(2) QT = CT x U
QT = 2.82 x 10-6 x 100

Q 282 x 10-6
(3) U1 = — = ———— = 47.05 Volts
C1 6 x 10-6
Q 282 x 10-6
U2 = — = ———— = 35.35 Volts
C2 8 x 10-6
Q 282 x 10-6
U3 = — = ———— = 17.63 Volts
C3 16 x 10-6
Check:
UT = U1 + U2 + U3
100 = 47.05 + 35.35 + 17.63
100 = 100
Working Voltage of a Capacitor

Manufacturers specify the safe working voltage on the body of capacitors and this value should
not be exceeded. See Figure 17.
If this safe working voltage across a capacitor is exceeded, it is possible that the dielectric may
break down causing a short circuit in the capacitor.
Figure 17
Working Voltage of equal value Capacitors in Series
When two equal values of capacitors are connected in series, the working voltage is the sum of
the two working voltages of the capacitors. For example, two equal value capacitors intended
for 130 Volts maximum supply could be connected in series and placed across a supply of up to
260 Volts.
This is not done in practical circuits. It would be prudent to use two 260 Volt capacitors.

Series / Parallel Capacitor Calculations

The following is the method used to find the total capacitance of the circuit shown in Figure 18.
3µF
C2
12µF
C1
6µF
C3
U = 200 Volts DC
+ -
Figure 18
First find the total capacitance of the parallel branch ( CP ):
CP = C2 + C3
CP = 3 + 6 = 9µF
12µF 9µF
C1 CP
U = 200Volts DC
Equivalent Circuit
This 9µF capacitor CP is in series with the 12µF capacitor.

To find the total capacitance of the circuit:
1 1 1
— = — + —
CT C1 CP
1 1 1
— = — + —
CT 12 9
1 3 + 4 7
— = ———— = —
CT 36 36
36
CT = — = 5.14 µF
7
The total charge of the circuit:
QT = CT x U
QT = 5.14 x 10-6 x 200 = 1028 x 10-6 Coulombs
Now we can find the volt drop across the 12µF capacitor:
QT 1028 x 10-6 1028

U1 = — = ————— = —— = 85.66 Volts
C1 12 x 10-6 12
The volt drop across both capacitors in the parallel circuit will be the same ( U2 ):
QT 1028 x 10-6 1028

U2 = — = ———— = —— = 114.2 Volts
CP 9 x 10-6 9

As the 12µF capacitor is in series in the circuit, the total current flows through it and therefore
the charge stored on it will equal the total charge QT.
Q1 = U1 x C1
Q1 = 85.66 x 12 x 10-6 = 1028 x 10-6 Coulombs
The stored charge on 3µF capacitor:
Q2 = U2 x C2
Q2 = 114.2 x 3 x 10-6 = 343 x 10-6 Coulombs
The stored charge on 6µF capacitor:
Q3 = U2 x C3
Q3 = 114.2 x 6 x 10-6 = 685 x 10-6 Coulombs
The charge stored by the two capacitors in parallel is equal to the total charge.
QT = Q2 + Q3
QT = 343 x 10-6 + 685 x 10-6
1028 x 10-6 = 1028 x 10-6

Question 1
Calculate for the circuit below:
1. The total capacitance of the circuit

2. The total charge stored
3. The potential difference across each capacitor
4. The stored charge on the 3µF capacitor
5. The stored charge on the 24µF capacitor
3µF
C2
6µF
C1
24µF
C3
U = 100 Volts DC
+ -
Solution to Question 1
(1) CP = C2 + C3
CP = 3 + 24 = 27µF
6µF 27µF
C1 CP
U = 100Volts DC
Equivalent Circuit

1 1 1
— = — + —
CT C1 CP
1 1 1
— = — + —
CT 6 27
1 9 + 2 11
— = ———— = —
CT 54 54
54
CT = — = 4.91µF
11
(2) QT = U x CT
QT = 100 x 4.91 x 10-6 = 491 x 10-6 Coulombs
Q1
(3) U1 across 6µF capacitor = —
C1
491 x 10-6 491

U1 = ———— = — = 81.83 Volts
6 x 10-6 6
Q
UP across parallel capacitors = —
CP
491 x 10-6 491

UP = ———— = — = 18.18 Volts
17 x 10-6 27

(4) The stored charge on the 3µF capacitor:
Q2 = UP x C2
Q2 = 18.18 x 3 x 10-6
Q2 = 54.54 x 10-6 Coulombs
(5) The stored charge on the 24µF capacitor:
Q3 = UP x C3
Q3 = 18.18 x 24 x 10-6
Q3 = 436.32 x 10-6 Coulombs
The charge stored on the two capacitors in parallel is equal to the total charge.
QT = Q2 + Q3
491 x 10-6 = 54.54 x 10-6 + 436.32 x 10-6
491 x 10-6 = 491 x 10-6

Capacitor Faults
Capacitors can become open or short-circuited. In either case, the capacitor is useless because it
cannot store a charge. A leaky capacitor is equivalent to a partial short circuit where the
dielectric gradually loses its insulating qualities under the stress of the applied voltage thus
lowering its resistance.
A good capacitor has very high resistance of the order of megohms; a short-circuited capacitor
has zero ohms resistance, and a leaky capacitor has a resistance lower than normal.
Checking a Capacitor with an Analogue Multimeter
The above faults in a capacitor can be checked using an analogue multimeter, set on the
resistance range. The highest ohms range, such as R x 100K is preferable. This will also depend
on the value of the capacitor.
Ensure that the capacitor to be checked is isolated from the supply. Some capacitors may have a
discharge resistor otherwise the capacitor should be discharged manually. The capacitor must
be disconnected from the circuit. The discharge resistor must be disconnected from the
capacitor. It is only necessary to disconnect one side of the capacitor to isolate it from the
discharge resistor and circuit. The meter leads are connected across the capacitor, keeping the
fingers away from the connections, since the body resistance will affect the reading.
For a good capacitor, the meter pointer moves quickly toward the low-resistance side of the
scale and then slowly recedes towards infinity. This charging effect shows that the capacitor
can store a charge, indicating a good capacitor. It should be noted, that the internal battery of
the meter, charges the capacitor, causing the fall of the meter reading.
Ohmmeter Readings on Faulty Capacitors
While the analogue multimeter method is only a rough indication of functionality, it will not
indicate the value of a capacitor. The following will indicate the common capacitor faults:
(1) If an ohmmeter reading immediately goes practically to zero and stays there, the
capacitor is short-circuited.
(2) If the capacitor shows no charging action but just reads a very high resistance, it may be
open circuited. Some precautions must be remembered, however, since very high
resistance is a normal condition for capacitors. Reverse the ohmmeter leads to discharge
the capacitor, and check again. In addition, remember that capacitance values of 100pF,
or less, normally take very little charging current for the low battery voltage of the
ohmmeter.

Potential Dangers with Capacitors

(1) Capacitors charged to a high voltage may remain charged for hours after the equipment
is turned off.
Warning:
Always discharge capacitors prior to handling or testing.
(2) Electrolytic capacitors are polarised and must be connected according to the plus and
minus markings on its case.
Warning:
If it is connected with the wrong polarity, the capacitor is usually destroyed and may
EXPLODE with a danger to health and safety.
(3) The manufacturers specify the safe working voltage on the body of a capacitor and this
value should not be exceeded.
Warning:
Exceeding this value of voltage may cause the capacitor to EXPLODE with a danger to
health and safety.

Summary
1. A capacitor consists of two conductors separated by a dielectric.
2. The term “capacitance” means the ability to store energy.
3. The unit of capacitance is the Farad. Practical capacitors have much smaller capacitance
values from:
 Microfarads ( 1µF is 1 x 10-6 Farads ),
 Nanofarads ( 1nF is 1 x 10-9 Farads ) and
 Picofarads ( 1pF is 1 x 10-12 Farads ).
4. Q is the charge in Coulombs

 Q = I x t ( Current x time )
 Q = C x U ( Capacitance x Voltage )
5. Electrolytic capacitors are polarised.
6. The factors effecting capacitance are:

a. Plate Area
b. Plate Spacing ( distance between plates )
c. The Dielectric Material.
7. The total capacitance for a parallel circuit:

CT = C1 + C2 + . . . . CN
8. The total capacitance for a series circuit:

1 1 1 1
— = — + — +… . . —
CT C1 C2 CN
9. When checked with an analogue multimeter a good capacitor shows or indicates a

charging effect.

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Trade of Electrician

Standards Based Apprenticeship

Module No. 2.1

Unit No. 2.1.8

Certification & Standards Department

Created by Gerry Ryan - Galway TC

Revision 1 April 2000 by

Revision 2 Nov. 2002 by

Revision 3 Aug 2006 by

Revision 4, November 2013

Compiled by Liam Carroll – Certification & Standards

27-33 Upper Baggot Street

2 Revision 4, November 2013

THE UNIT OF CAPACITANCE ................................................................................................................. 6

CHARGING OF CAPACITORS ................................................................................................................. 7

FACTORS AFFECTING THE VALUE OF THE CHARGE ON A CAPACITOR ............................... 9

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CAPACITANCE OF A CAPACITOR ................................................ 10

ENERGY STORED IN A CAPACITOR .................................................................................................. 13

CAPACITOR TYPES ................................................................................................................................. 13

CONSTRUCTION OF CAPACITORS ..................................................................................................... 14

MICA, CERAMIC AND MYLAR CAPACITORS.................................................................................. 14

ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS ............................................................................................................ 15

CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL ................................................................................................................. 16

CAPACITORS IN SERIES ........................................................................................................................ 20

CHARGE IN A SERIES CIRCUIT ........................................................................................................... 21

TOTAL STORED CHARGE ..................................................................................................................... 23

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE ..................................................................................................................... 24

WORKING VOLTAGE OF A CAPACITOR .......................................................................................... 26

SERIES / PARALLEL CAPACITOR CALCULATIONS ...................................................................... 27

CAPACITOR FAULTS .............................................................................................................................. 33

POTENTIAL DANGERS WITH CAPACITORS .................................................................................... 34

3 Revision 4, November 2013

By the end of this unit you will be able to:

 Understand the term capacitance

4 Revision 4, November 2013

5 Revision 4, November 2013

The Unit of Capacitance

Q = Capacitance ( Farads ) x Voltage ( Volts )

C = Capacitance is measured in Farads. It must be remembered that the unit of 1 Farad

6 Revision 4, November 2013

7 Revision 4, November 2013

C = 10µF = 10 x 10-6 Farads

To get C on its own we transform the formula:

8 Revision 4, November 2013

Factors affecting the Value of the Charge on a Capacitor

10V C 10V C 10V

9 Revision 4, November 2013

Factors affecting the Capacitance of a Capacitor

(1) Plate Area

If the plate area of a capacitor is increased there is a corresponding increase in capacitance,

Capacitance is directly proportional to plate area;

10 Revision 4, November 2013

(2) Plate Spacing

Refer to Figure 7. Plates ( a ) have more capacitance than plates ( b ).

Capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates;

Where d = distance between plates

11 Revision 4, November 2013

(3) Dielectric Material

Changing the Dielectric Material changes the capacitance. See Figure 9.

Dielectric Material is Air Dielectric Material is Mica