Name : Gita Setyani Putri

Class : LT 3E

Number: 12

Capacitor

Capacitor is a passive device that stores energy in its electric fields and returns energy to the circuits
whenever required. A capacitor consists of two conductors separated by a non-conductive region. The
non-conductive region can either be a vacuum or an electrical insulator material known as a dielectric.
Examples of dielectric media are glass, air, paper, and even a semiconductor depletion region chemically
identical to the conductors. A capacitor is assumed to be self-contained and isolated, with no net electric
charge and no influence from any external electric field. The conductors thus hold equal and opposite
charges on their facing surfaces, and the dielectric develops an electric field. In SI units, a capacitance
of one farad means that one coulomb of charge on each conductor causes a voltage of one volt across
the device.

Types of capacitor

In general capacitor can be classified into many types, then if we classify of capacitor based on the value
of capacitance, the capacitor can be divided into 2 types :

1. Fixed Capacitor

Fixed capacitor has constant value of capacitance. Fixed capacitor has function to store
electrical charge and as a filter in power supply circuit, passing alternating current (AC),
blocking direct current (DC), and can be used as a frequency generator in the oscillator circuit.

2. Variable Capacitor

Variable capacitor has value of capacitance that can be changed. Variable capacitor can be
used as tuning in the radio (used to select the radio frequency waves).

Then if we classify types of capacitors based on the polarity poles, the capacitor can be divided into 2
types :

1. Polar Capacitor

Polar capacitor is capacitor which has positive and negative polarity poles. Polar capacitor
usually made from dielectric materials such as electrolyte capacitor. This capacitor has greater
capacitance than the other types. Polar capacitor can be found in electrolyte capacitor (Elco)
and Tantalum capacitor.

2. Non Polar Capacitor

Non Polar capacitor is capacitor that doesnt has polarity poles, it means the installation of
capacitors in electronic circuits can be in reverse way. This capacitor has small capacitance
 value. Non polar capacitor can be found in Ceramic capacitor, Polyester capacitor, Paper
capacitor, and Mica capacitor.

Then if we classify types of capacitors based on the material used, the capacitor can be divided into 6
types :

1. Ceramic Capacitor

Ceramic capacitor is made from ceramic materials. This capacitor has a thin round shaped or
rectangular. Ceramic capacitor doesnt has polarity poles, so it can be installed in reverse
polarity. Ceramic capacitor values ranging from 1 pF to 0.01 F.

2. Polyester Capacitor

Polyester capacitor is made from polyester. These capacitors have a rectangular shape. In
electronic circuit, polyester capacitors can be installed in reverse polarity because doesnt has
polarity poles.

3. Paper Capacitor

Paper capacitor is capacitor dielectric materials made from paper. In general paper capacitor
values ranging between 300 pF to 4 F. Paper capacitors doesnt has polarity poles, so it can be
reverse installed in electronics circuit.

4. Mica Capacitor

Mica capacitor is capacitor dielectric materials made from mica. Mica capacitor values
generally range between 50 pF to 0.02 F. Mica capacitors doesnt has polarity poles, so it can
be reverse installed in electronics circuit.

5. Electrolyte Capacitor

Electrolyte capacitor is a capacitor made of dielectric materials from electrolyte. This capacitor
has shaped cylindrical. Electrolyte capacitors or usually called Elco is often used in
electronics circuit that requires high capacitance. The electrolyte capacitors which have positive
pole (+) and negative pole (-). In general, the value of electrolyte capacitors ranges from 0.1 F
to thousands microfarad (F). Usually in the body electrolyte capacitors will be shown the value
capacitance, voltage, and negative terminal.

6. Tantalum Capacitor

Tantalum capacitor is capacitor dielectric materials made of tantalum metal. This capacitor
which have positive pole (+) and negative pole (-) as the electrolyte capacitor. Tantalum
capacitors can operate at higher temperatures than other capacitor types, and also has a large
capacitance but packaged in a smaller size.

Capacitor has been used in many applications, such as:

A. Energy Storage
 A capacitor can store electric energy when disconnected from its charging circuit, so it can be
used like a temporary battery, or like other types of rechargeable energy storage system.[50]
Capacitors are commonly used in electronic devices to maintain power supply while batteries
are being changed. (This prevents loss of information in volatile memory.)

B. Power factor correction

A high-voltage capacitor bank used for power factor correction on a power transmission system

In electric power distribution, capacitors are used for power factor correction. Such capacitors
often come as three capacitors connected as a three phase load. Usually, the values of these
capacitors are given not in farads but rather as a reactive power in volt-amperes reactive (var).
The purpose is to counteract inductive loading from devices like electric motors and
transmission lines to make the load appear to be mostly resistive. Individual motor or lamp
loads may have capacitors for power factor correction, or larger sets of capacitors (usually with
automatic switching devices) may be installed at a load center within a building or in a large
utility substation.

C. Other applications of capacitors are acts as motor starters, signal processing, sensing, oscillators
and producing light (light-emitting capacitor)