CHAPTER 5

CAPACITORS AND INDUCTORS

1. CAPACITOR is a device used to store a quantity of electrical charge. It consists of two thin
sheets of conducting material separated by a layer of insulating material called the dielectric.

1.1 Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to store an electrical charge.

1.2 Factors Affecting Capacitance

1.2.1 Area of the plates (A) is directly proportional to capacitance

1.2.2 Distance between the plates (d) is inversely proportional to capacitance
1.2.3 Dielectric material used

1.3 Phase Relationship: The current leads the voltage by 90°.

V C, V VR, V I, mA
C 0 10 10
10V 2 8 8
R=1 k 5 5 5
8 2 2
10 0 0

1.4 Capacitive Reactance (XC) is the resistance to current exerted by a capacitor.

1
XC = -------
2fC

1.5 RC Time Constant (T) is a time interval that equals the product of the resistance and
the capacitance.

R1
Switch to 1: Capacitor charges
T = R1 x C
10V C R2
Switch to 2: Capacitor discharges
T = R2 x C
1 2

1.5.1 Charging Time is the time in seconds required for an uncharged capacitor to
charge 63% of the supplied voltage in one time constant.

V1T = 0.63 x E E
V2T = 0.63(E - V1T) = 0.86 x E
V3T = 0.63(E - V1T - V2T) = 0.95 x E
V4T = 0.63(E - V1T - V2T - V3T) = 0.98 x E
V5T = 0.63(E - V1T - V2T - V3T - V4T) = 0.99 x E time

If a capacitor is placed directly across a source of voltage with no resistance

in the circuit, the capacitor is charged to its full extent in an extremely short
period of time. A resistor placed in series with a capacitor limits the current
flow. The charging time of the capacitor takes a longer period of time. T =
R1 x C

1.5.2 Discharging Time Constant is the time in seconds for a charged capacitor to
discharge 37% of its voltage in one time constant.

V1T = 0.37 x E
V2T = 0.37(E - V1T) = 0.14 x E
V3T = 0.37(E - V1T - V2T) = 0.05 x E
V4T = 0.37(E - V1T - V2T - V3T) = 0.02 x E
V5T = 0.37(E - V1T - V2T - V3T - V4T) = 0.01 x E

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 If the charged capacitor is connected in a closed conducting circuit, the
potential on the capacitor will cause a current to flow from the positive to the
negative plates of the capacitor. A resistor connected in parallel with the
capacitor will determine the time required for the capacitor to discharge.
T = R2 x C

1.6 How a Capacitor Stores Charge

In the neutral stage, both plates have an equal number of free electrons. When the
capacitor is connected to a voltage source and a resistor, electrons are removed from one
plate and an equal number are deposited to the other plate. The plate that loses
electrons becomes negative with respect to the plate that gains electrons. Electrons
flows only through the connecting leads and the source. No electrons flow through the
dielectric of the capacitor. The flow of electrons ceases when the voltage across the
capacitor equals the source voltage. If the capacitor is disconnected from the source, it
retains the stored charge. The charged capacitor can be considered as a temporary
battery.

1.7 Voltage Rating is the maximum voltage that can be applied without risk of damage to
the device.

2. CIRCUIT CONFIGURATION OF CAPACITORS

2.1 Series Capacitors 2.2 Parallel Capacitors

C1 C2 C3
C1 C2 C3

1
C = ----------------------- C = C 1 + C2 + C3
1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3

3. CAPACITOR APPLICATIONS

3.1 Filter Capacitor is used to reduce the variation of the output voltage from a rectifier.

3.2 Coupling Capacitor - the capacitor terminals are connected from one ungrounded point
to another ungrounded point.

3.3 By-pass Capacitor - the capacitor terminals are connected from one ungrounded point
to a grounded point.

NOTE
A capacitor is like an open switch at low frequency and like a
closed switch at high frequency. A capacitor appears open to
dc current but shorted to ac current.

4. INDUCTOR is a length of wire formed into a coil.

4.1 Inductance is a measure of a coil's ability to establish an induced voltage as a result of

a change in its current and that induced voltage is in a direction to oppose that change in
current.

4.2 Factors Affecting Inductance:

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 4.2.1 the permeability of the core material (µ)
4.2.2 the number of turns (N)
4.2.3 the length (l)
4.2.4 the cross-sectional area (A)

N²µA
L = -------
l

4.3 Phase Relationship: The current lags the voltage by 90°.

VL, V VR, V I, mA
10 0 0
L 8 2 2
10V 5 5 5
R=1 k 2 8 8
0 10 10

4.4 Inductive Reactance (XL) is the opposition to current in an inductor.

XL = 2fL

5. CIRCUIT CONFIGURATION OF INDUCTOR

5.1 Series Inductors 5.2 Parallel Inductors

L1 L2 L3
L1 L2 L3

L = L1 + L 2 + L 3 L = L1 // L2 // L3

6. INDUCTOR APPLICATIONS

6.1 Choke Filter is used to reduce the variation of the output voltage from a rectifier.

6.2 RF Choke is used to prevent unwanted rf signals that may be picked up on the line.

6.3 Tuned Circuit is used in conjunction with capacitors to provide frequency selection in
communication system.

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