CAPACITORS

The capacitor's function is to store electricity, or electrical energy. The capacitor also functions as a filter, passing alternating current (AC), and blocking direct current (DC). This symbol is used to indicate a capacitor in a circuit diagram.

The capacitor is constructed with two electrode plates facing eachother, but separated by an insulator.

hen DC !oltage is applied to the capacitor, an electric charge is stored on each electrode. hile the capacitor is charging up, current flows. The current will stop

flowing when the capacitor has fully charged.

hen a circuit tester, such as an analog meter set to measure resistance, is connected to a "# microfarad ($%) electrolytic capacitor, a current will flow, but only for a moment. &ou can confirm that the meter's needle mo!es off of 'ero, but returns to 'ero right away.

hen you connect the meter's probes to the capacitor in re!erse, you will note that current once again flows for a moment. (nce again, when the capacitor has fully charged, the current stops flowing. )o the capacitor can be used as a filter that blocks DC current. (A *DC cut* filter.) +owe!er, in the case of alternating current, the current will be allowed to pass. Alternating current is similar to repeatedly switching the test meter's probes back and forth on the capacitor. Current flows e!ery time the probes are switched.

The !alue of a capacitor (the capacitance), is designated in units called the %arad ( % ). The capacitance of a capacitor is generally !ery small, so units such as the microfarad ( "#,-% ), nanofarad ( "#,.% ), and picofarad ("#,"/% ) are used. 0ecently, an new capacitor with !ery high capacitance has been de!eloped. The 1lectric Double 2ayer capacitor has capacitance designated in %arad units. These are known as *)uper Capacitors.*

)ometimes, a three,digit code is used to indicate the !alue of a capacitor. There are two ways in which the capacitance can be written. (ne uses letters and numbers, the other uses only numbers. 3n either case, there are only three characters used. 4"#n5 and 4"#65 denote the same !alue of capacitance. The method used differs depending on the capacitor supplier. 3n the case that the !alue is displayed with the three,digit code, the "st and /nd digits from the left show the "st figure and the /nd figure, and the 6rd digit is a multiplier which determines how many 'eros are to be added to the

capacitance. 7icofarad ( p% ) units are written this way. %or e8ample, when the code is 4"#65, it indicates "# 8 "# 6, or "#,###p% 9 "# nanofarad( n% ) 9 #.#" microfarad( $% ). 3f the code happened to be 4//:5, it would be // 8 "#: 9 or //#,###p% 9 //#n% 9 #.//$%. ;alues under "##p% are displayed with / digits only. %or e8ample, :< would be :<p%.

The capacitor has an insulator( the dielectric ) between / sheets of electrodes. Different kinds of capacitors use different materials for the dielectric.

Breakdown voltage hen using a capacitor, you must pay attention to the ma8imum !oltage which can be used. This is the *breakdown !oltage.* The breakdown !oltage depends on the kind of capacitor being used. &ou must be especially careful with electrolytic capacitors because the breakdown !oltage is comparati!ely low. The breakdown !oltage of electrolytic capacitors is displayed as orking ;oltage.

The breakdown !oltage is the !oltage that when e8ceeded will cause the dielectric (insulator) inside the capacitor to break down and conduct. failure can be catastrophic. hen this happens, the

3 will introduce the different types of capacitors below Electrolytic Capacitors (Electrochemical type capacitors)

Aluminum is used for the electrodes by using a thin o8idi'ation membrane. 2arge !alues of capacitance can be obtained in comparison with the si'e of the capacitor, because the dielectric used is !ery thin. The most important characteristic of electrolytic capacitors is that they ha!e polarity. They ha!e a positi!e and a negati!e electrode.47olarised5 This means that it is !ery important which way round they are connected. 3f the capacitor is sub=ected to !oltage e8ceeding its working !oltage, or if it is connected with incorrect polarity, it may burst. 3t is e8tremely dangerous, because it can >uite literally e8plode. ?ake absolutely no mistakes. @enerally, in the circuit diagram, the positi!e side is indicated by a *A* (plus) symbol. 1lectrolytic capacitors range in !alue from about "$% to thousands of $%. ?ainly this type of capacitor is used as a ripple filter in a power supply circuit, or as a filter to bypass low fre>uency signals, etc. Because this type of capacitor is comparati!ely similar to the nature of a coil in construction, it isn't possible to use for high,fre>uency circuits. (3t is said that the fre>uency characteristic is bad.)

The photograph on the left is an e8ample of the different !alues of electrolytic capacitors in which the capacitance and !oltage differ. %rom the left to rightC "$% (D#;) 4diameter D mm, high "/ mm5 :<$% ("-;) 4diameter - mm, high D mm5 "##$% (/D;) 4diameter D mm, high "" mm5 //#$% (/D;) 4diameter E mm, high "/ mm5 "###$% (D#;) 4diameter "E mm, high :# mm5

The si'e of the capacitor sometimes depends on the manufacturer. )o the si'es shown here on this page are =ust e8amples.

3n the photograph to the right, the mark indicating the negati!e lead of the component can be seen. &ou need to pay attention to the polarity indication so as not to make a mistake when you assemble the circuit.

Tantalum Capacitors

Tantalum Capacitors are electrolytic capacitors that is use a material called tantalum for the electrodes. 2arge !alues of capacitance similar to aluminum electrolytic capacitors can be obtained. Also, tantalum capacitors are superior to aluminum electrolytic capacitors in temperature and fre>uency characteristics. hen tantalum

powder is baked in order to solidify it, a crack forms inside. An electric charge can be stored on this crack. These capacitors ha!e polarity as well. Fsually, the *A* symbol is used to show the positi!e component lead. Do not make a mistake with the polarity on these types. Tantalum capacitors are a little bit more e8pensi!e than aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Capacitance can change with temperature as well as fre>uency, and these types are !ery stable. Therefore, tantalum capacitors are used for circuits which demand high stability in the capacitance !alues. Also, it is said to be common sense to use tantalum capacitors for analog signal systems, because the current,spike noise that occurs with aluminum electrolytic capacitors does not appear. Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are fine if you don't use them for circuits which need the high stability characteristics of tantalum capacitors.

The photograph on the left illustrates the tantalum capacitor. The capacitance !alues are as follows, from the leftC

#.66 $% (6D;) #.:< $% (6D;) "# $% (6D;)

The *A* symbol is used to show the positi!e lead of the component. 3t is written on the body.

Ceramic Capacitors

Ceramic capacitors are constructed with materials such as titanium acid barium used as the dielectric. 3nternally, these capacitors are not constructed as a coil, so they can be used in high fre>uency applications. Typically, they are used in circuits which bypass high fre>uency signals to ground. These capacitors ha!e the shape of a disk. Their capacitance is comparati!ely small.

The capacitor on the left is a "##p% capacitor with a diameter of about 6 mm. The capacitor on the right side is printed with "#6, so "# 8 "# 6p% becomes #.#" $%. The diameter of the disk is about - mm. Ceramic capacitors ha!e no polarity. Ceramic capacitors should not be used for analog circuits, because they can distort

the signal.

Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors The multilayer ceramic capacitor has a many,layered dielectric. These capacitors are small in si'e, and ha!e good temperature and fre>uency characteristics. )>uare wa!e signals used in digital circuits can ha!e a comparati!ely high

fre>uency component included. This capacitor is used to bypass the high fre>uency to ground.

3n the photograph, the capacitance of the component on the left is displayed as "#:. )o, the capacitance is "# 8 "#: p% 9 #." $%. The thickness is / mm, the height is 6 mm, the width is : mm. The capacitor to the right has a capacitance of "#6 ("# 8 "# 6 p% 9 #.#" $%). The height is : mm, the diameter of the round part is / mm. These capacitors are not polari'ed. That is, they ha!e no polarity.

Polystyrene Film Capacitors

3n these de!ices, polystyrene film is used as the dielectric. This type of capacitor is not for use in high fre>uency circuits, because they are constructed like a coil inside. They are used well in filter circuits or timing circuits which run at se!eral hundred G+' or less.

The component shown on the left has a red color due to the copper leaf used for the electrode. The sil!er color is due to the use of aluminum foil as the electrode.

The de!ice on the left has a height of "# mm, is D mm thick, and is rated "##p%. The de!ice in the middle has a height of "# mm, D.< mm thickness, and is rated "###p%. The de!ice on the right has a height of /: mm, is "# mm thick, and is rated "####p%.

These de!ices ha!e no polarity. 1lectric Double 2ayer Capacitors ()uper Capacitors) This is a *)uper Capacitor,* which is >uite a wonder. The capacitance is #.:< % (:<#,### $%). 3 ha!e not used this capacitor in an actual circuit. Care must be taken when using a capacitor with such a large capacitance in power supply circuits, etc. The rectifier in the circuit can be destroyed by a huge rush of current when the capacitor is empty. %or a brief moment, the capacitor is more like a short circuit. A protection circuit needs to be set up.

The si'e is small in spite of capacitance. 7hysically, the diameter is /" mm, the height is "" mm. Care is necessary, because these de!ices do ha!e polarity.

Polyester Film Capacitors This capacitor uses thin polyester film as the dielectric. They are not high tolerance, but they are cheap and handy. Their tolerance is about

HDI to H"#I.

%rom the left in the photograph CapacitanceC #.##" $% (printed with ##"G) 4the width D mm, the height "# mm, the thickness / mm5 CapacitanceC #." $% (printed with "#:G) 4the width "# mm, the height "" mm, the thickness Dmm5 CapacitanceC #.// $% (printed with .//G) 4the width "6 mm, the height "E mm, the thickness <mm5 Care must be taken, because different manufacturers use different methods to denote the capacitance !alues.

+ere are some other polyester film capacitors.

)tarting from the left CapacitanceC #.##:< $% (printed with :</G) 4the width :mm, the height -mm, the thickness /mm5 CapacitanceC #.##-E $% (printed with -E/G)

4the width :mm, the height -mm, the thickness /mm5 CapacitanceC #.:< $% (printed with :<:G) 4the width ""mm, the height ":mm, the thickness <mm5 These capacitors ha!e no polarity.

Polypropylene Capacitors
This capacitor is used when a higher tolerance is necessary than polyester capacitors offer. 7olypropylene film is used for the dielectric. 3t is said that there is almost no change of capacitance in these de!ices if they are used with fre>uencies of "##G+' or less. The pictured capacitors ha!e a tolerance of H"I.

%rom the left in the photograph CapacitanceC #.#" $% (printed with "#6%)

4the width <mm, the height <mm, the thickness 6mm5 CapacitanceC #.#// $% (printed with //6%) 4the width <mm, the height "#mm, the thickness :mm5 CapacitanceC #." $% (printed with "#:%) 4the width .mm, the height ""mm, the thickness Dmm5

hen 3 measured the capacitance of a #.#" $% capacitor with the meter which 3 ha!e, the error was A#./I. These capacitors ha!e no polarity.

Mica Capacitors
These capacitors use ?ica for the dielectric. ?ica capacitors ha!e good stability because their temperature coefficient is small. Because their fre>uency characteristic is e8cellent, they are used for resonance circuits, and high fre>uency filters. Also, they ha!e good insulation, and so can be utili'ed in high !oltage circuits. 3t was often used for !acuum tube style radio transmitters, etc. ?ica capacitors do not ha!e high !alues of capacitance, and they can be relati!ely e8pensi!e.

7ictured at the right are *Dipped mica capacitors.* These can handle up to D## !olts.

The capacitance from the left CapacitanceC :<p% (printed with :<#J) 4the width <mm, the height Dmm, the thickness :mm5 CapacitanceC //#p% (printed with //"J) 4the width "#mm, the height -mm, the thickness :mm5 CapacitanceC "###p% (printed with "#/J) 4the width ":mm, the height .mm, the thickness :mm5

Metallize

Polyester Film Capacitors

These capacitors are a kind of a polyester film capacitor. Because their electrodes are thin, they can be miniaturi'ed.

%rom the left in the photograph CapacitanceC #.##"$% (printed with "n. n means nanoC"# ,.)

Breakdown !oltageC /D#; 4the width Emm, the height -mm, the thickness /mm5 CapacitanceC #.//$% (printed with u//) Breakdown !oltageC "##; 4the width Emm, the height -mm, the thickness 6mm5 CapacitanceC /./$% (printed with /u/) Breakdown !oltageC "##; 4the width "Dmm, the height "#mm, the thickness Emm5 Care is necessary, because the component lead easily breaks off from these capacitors. (nce lead has come off, there is no way to fi8 it. 3t must be discarded.

These capacitors ha!e no polarity.

!aria"le Capacitors
;ariable capacitors are used for ad=ustment etc. of fre>uency mainly.

(n the left in the photograph is a *trimmer,* which uses ceramic as the dielectric. Ke8t to it on the right is one that uses polyester film for the dielectric. The pictured components are meant to be mounted on a printed circuit board.

hen ad=usting the !alue of a !ariable capacitor, it is ad!isable to be careful. (ne of the component's leads is connected to the ad=ustment screw of the capacitor.

This means that the !alue of the capacitor can be affected by the capacitance of the screwdri!er in your hand. 3t is better to use a special screwdri!er to ad=ust these components. 7ictured in the upper left photograph are !ariable capacitors with the following specificationsC CapacitanceC /#p% (6p% , /<p% measured) 4Thickness - mm, height :.E mm5 Their are different colors, as well. BlueC <p% (/ , .), whiteC "#p% (6 , "D), greenC 6#p% (D , 6D), brownC -#p% (E , </).

3n the same photograph, the de!ice on the right has the following specificationsC CapacitanceC 6#p% (Dp% , :#p% measured) 4The width (long) -.E mm, width (short) :.. mm, and the height D mm5

The components in the photograph on the right are used for radio tuners, etc. They are called *;aricons* but this may be only in Japan. The !ariable capacitor on the left in the photograph, uses air as the dielectric. 3t combines three independent capacitors. %or each one, the capacitance changed /p% , "Ep%. hen the ad=ustment a8is is

turned, the capacitance of all 6 capacitors change simultaneously. 7hysically, the de!ice has a depth of /. mm, and "< mm width and height. (Kot

including the ad=ustment rod.) There are !arious kinds of !ariable capacitor, chosen in accordance with the purpose for which they are needed. The pictured components are !ery small.

To the right in the photograph is a !ariable capacitor using polyester film as the dielectric. Two independent capacitors are combined. The capacitance of one side changes "/p% , "D#p%, while the other side changes from ""p% , <#p%. 7hysically, it has a depth of ""mm, and /#mm width and height. (Kot including the ad=ustment rod.) The pictured de!ice also has a small trimmer built in to each capacitor to allow for precise ad=ustment up to "Dp%.