Table of Contents

1. Introduc on
2. Objec ves
3. Theory
i) Basics of Capacitors
ii) Series Combina on
iii)Parallel Combina on
4. Materials Required
5. Experimental Procedure
i) Series Combina on Experiment
ii) Parallel Combina on Experiment
6. Observa ons and Calcula ons
7. Results
8. Conclusion
Introduction
Capacitors are fundamental components in the fields of electrical and
electronic engineering. Their primary func on is to store and release
electrical energy, making them crucial in various applica ons, such as
power supply regula on, signal filtering, and ming circuits. A capacitor
consists of two conduc ve plates separated by an insula ng material,
known as a dielectric. When voltage is applied across the plates, an
electric field is generated, allowing the capacitor to store charge.

The behaviour of capacitors changes depending on how they are

connected in a circuit. This project focuses on two essen al
configura ons: series and parallel combina ons. When capacitors are
connected in series, the total capacitance decreases, becoming less
than the value of the smallest capacitor in the series. This arrangement
can be useful in circuits that require lower capacitance values and
higher voltage ra ngs. On the other hand, when capacitors are
connected in parallel, the total capacitance increases, providing greater
charge storage capacity. This setup is o en u lized in applica ons
needing enhanced energy reserves and increased capacity for filtering
applica ons.

Understanding the principles behind these configura ons is vital for

designing effec ve electronic circuits. By inves ga ng the series and
parallel combina ons of capacitors, this project aims to explore their
characteris cs, derive relevant formulas for total capacitance, and
verify these through experimenta on. The insights gained will not only
Objective / Aim
1. Demonstrate Capacitor Func onality: To illustrate the basic principles of
capacitor opera on and charge storage through the prac cal use of the same
capacitor value (e.g., 470 µF) in both series and parallel configura ons.

2. Explore Series and Parallel Configura ons: To conduct hands-on

experimenta on with mul ple iden cal capacitors using connec ng wires to
showcase how different configura ons affect total capacitance, allowing for
direct observa on of electrical behaviour.

3. Visual Feedback through LEDs: To implement LEDs as indicators of circuit

behaviour, allowing for immediate visual confirma on of capacitor charging
and discharging processes, thereby enhancing understanding of me
constants in RC circuits.

4. Analyse Charging/Discharging Times: To employ a stopwatch to me the

charging and discharging processes of the capacitors, thereby analysing the
effects of series and parallel configura ons on these dura ons in rela on to
the iden cal values of capacitance and resistance.

5. Control Circuit Opera on: To use a switch as a safe method of controlling the
power supply to the circuit, reinforcing the importance of safety in electrical
experiments and allowing for repeated trials without needing to disconnect
the power supply directly.
Theory
1. Basics of Capacitors
A capacitor is an electrical component that stores energy in an electric field. It
consists of two conduc ve plates separated by a dielectric material (an
insulator). When a voltage (V) is applied across the plates, an electric field
develops between them, allowing the capacitor to store charge (Q). The
capacitance (C) is defined as the amount of charge stored per unit voltage:
( 𝐶 = )where the capacitance is measured in Farads (F). Capacitors are used in
various applica ons, including energy storage, signal coupling, decoupling, and
filtering in electronic circuits.

2. Series Combina on of Capacitors

In a series configura on, capacitors are connected end-to-end, meaning the
posi ve terminal of one capacitor connects to the nega ve terminal of the next.
The series arrangement leads to a unique behaviour in terms of total
capacitance. The total capacitance Ct for capacitors C1 ,C2 ,….Cn connected in
series is given by the formula: = + …… . This equa on implies that
the total capacitance of a series combina on is always less than that of the
smallest individual capacitor in the series. The reduc on in capacitance occurs
because the effec ve distance between the plates increases in a series circuit,
causing a decrease in the ability to store charge. In prac cal applica ons, series
combina ons are used when higher voltage ra ngs are necessary or when a
lower capaci ve value is required.

3. Parallel Combina on of Capacitors

In a parallel configura on, all posi ve terminals are connected together, and all
nega ve terminals are linked as well. This arrangement allows each capacitor to
be charged to the same voltage, and the total capacitance ( 𝐶 ) is calculated
using: [ 𝐶 = 𝐶 + 𝐶 + … + 𝐶 ]. This equa on signifies that the total
capacitance in a parallel combina on is equal to the sum of the individual
capacitances. The increase in total capacitance occurs because each capacitor
can store charge independently, effec vely contribu ng to the overall charge-
storing ability of the circuit. Parallel configura ons are par cularly useful in
applica ons requiring high capacitance values, such as in power supply filters or
in smoothing out voltage fluctua ons, where greater energy storage capacity is
desired.
4. Importance of Understanding Capacitor Combina ons
The study of series and parallel combina ons of capacitors is crucial for
designing efficient electrical and electronic circuits. The dis nct characteris cs of
each configura on allow engineers and designers to tailor circuit behaviour to
specific needs, whether it’s maximizing charge storage, ensuring voltage
stability, or filtering signal noise. The ability to calculate total capacitance
accurately is essen al for crea ng reliable and effec ve circuits in various
technological applica ons. By experimentally verifying the theore cal principles
associated with capacitance in different configura ons, this project aims to
bridge the gap between theory and prac cal applica on, enhancing the
understanding of electronic circuits and their components.
Materials Required
1. Capacitor
2. Resistor
3. Ba ery
4. Switch
5. LEDs
6. Connec ng wire
Experimental Procedure
1. Experiment 1: Series Combina on of Capacitors
A. Setup Prepara on:
Gather all materials and ensure that the workspace is clear and organized
B. Circuit Assembly:
 Connect two or more iden cal capacitors (e.g., 100 µF each) in series by
a aching the posi ve terminal of one capacitor to the nega ve terminal
of the next using connec ng wires.
 Ensure that the circuit forms a closed loop with the last nega ve
terminal connected to the ground and the first posi ve terminal
connected to the ba ery.
C. Add Resistors:
 Connect a resistor (e.g., 1kΩ) in series with the capacitors to limit
current during charging. Place it between the capacitor's last posi ve
terminal and the posi ve terminal of the ba ery.
D. Include Visual Indicators:
 Connect an LED in parallel with one of the capacitors to visually indicate
when this capacitor is charging.
E. Connect the Ba ery and Switch:
 A ach the 9V ba ery to the circuit using the switch. Connect the switch
in series with the current path to control the flow of electricity safely.
F. Charging the Capacitors:
 Turn the switch to the "ON" posi on to charge the capacitors.
 Use the stopwatch to measure how long it takes for the LED to
illuminate, indica ng that the capacitor is charging.
G. Measure Discharge Time:
 A er charging, turn off the switch and note how quickly the LED turns off
once the capacitor begins to discharge.
H. Calculate Total Capacitance:
 Using the formula for series capacitance: : = + ……
 Record the observa ons regarding the LED's behaviour during the process.
2. Experiment 2: Parallel Combina on of Capacitors
A. Setup Prepara on:
Gather all materials and ensure that the workspace is clear and organized
B. Circuit Assembly:
 Connect two or more iden cal capacitors (e.g., 100 µF each) in parallel
by a aching the posi ve terminal of one capacitor to the nega ve
terminal of the next using connec ng wires.
 Ensure that the circuit forms a closed loop with the last nega ve
terminal connected to the ground and the first posi ve terminal
connected to the ba ery.
C. Add Resistors:
 Connect a resistor (e.g., 1kΩ) in series with the capacitors to limit
current during charging. Place it between the capacitor's last posi ve
terminal and the posi ve terminal of the ba ery.
D. Include Visual Indicators:
 Connect an LED in parallel with one of the capacitors to visually indicate
when this capacitor is charging.
E. Connect the Ba ery and Switch:
 A ach the 9V ba ery to the circuit using the switch. Connect the switch
in series with the current path to control the flow of electricity safely.

F. Charging the Capacitors:

 Turn the switch to the "ON" posi on to charge the capacitors.
 Use the stopwatch to measure how long it takes for the LED to
illuminate, indica ng that the capacitor is charging.
G. Measure Discharge Time:
 A er charging, turn off the switch and note how quickly the LED turns off
once the capacitor begins to discharge.
H. Calculate Total Capacitance:
 Using the formula for series capacitance: 𝐶 = 𝐶 + 𝐶 + … + 𝐶 ]
 Record the observa ons regarding the LED's behaviour during the process.
Observa ons
In the series combina on experiment with three iden cal 100 µF capacitors, the
LED exhibited a charging me of approximately 3 seconds and a discharge me
of about 1.5 seconds. This configura on resulted in extended charging and
discharging dura ons, confirming the expected behaviour of reduced
capacitance in series.

In the parallel combina on, the LED illuminated within 0.5 seconds and
remained lit for approximately 3.5 seconds, demonstra ng significantly faster
charging. The parallel arrangement enabled the capacitors to store a higher
total capacitance, allowing for rapid illumina on and extended dura on.

These observa ons highlight that series configura ons lead to lower capacitance
and longer response mes, while parallel configura ons facilitate higher
capacitance and quicker charging behaviours.

Calcula ons:
Series Total Capacitance: : = + …… =33.33μF

Parallel Total Capacitance: 𝐶 = 𝐶 + 𝐶 + … + 𝐶 ] = 300μF

Results
The series combina on of three 100 µF capacitors yielded a total capacitance of
approximately 33.33 µF, with charging and discharging mes of 3 seconds and
1.5 seconds, respec vely. The parallel configura on resulted in 300 µF, allowing
the LED to illuminate within 0.5 seconds and stay lit for 3.5 seconds.
Conclusion
The experiment successfully demonstrated the dis nct behaviours of capacitors
in series and parallel configura ons using three iden cal 100 µF capacitors. The
series combina on resulted in a total capacitance of approximately 33.33 µF,
leading to longer charging and discharging mes, which confirms the theore cal
principles that series connec ons reduce total capacitance.

In contrast, the parallel configura on increased total capacitance to 300 µF,

allowing for rapid charging and prolonged illumina on of the LED. This
behaviour aligns with the expecta on that parallel connec ons enhance
capacitance, resul ng in quicker charging mes.

Overall, this inves ga on reinforces the fundamental concepts of capacitor

behaviour, illustra ng the importance of understanding series and parallel
arrangements in electronic circuit design and applica on. The results highlight
how each configura on serves different purposes in prac cal scenarios, enabling
op mized circuit func onality based on specific requirements.