capacitor

Also known as cap, electronic capacitor

A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy by accumulating electric charges on two closely spaced surfaces that are insulated from each other. It is a passive electronic component with two terminals. A capacitor was originally known as a condenser, a term still encountered in a few compound names, such as the condenser microphone. Colloquially, a capacitor may be called a cap.

AI overview

A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy by building up electric charges on two insulated surfaces placed close together. Capacitors are fundamental components in electronic circuits, where they serve various purposes like storing energy temporarily and filtering electrical signals.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Electronic component.name: Capacitor
Electronic component.image: Capacitors (7189597135).jpg
Electronic component.type: Passive
Electronic component.working_principle: Capacitance
Electronic component.terminal_number: 2
Electronic component.symbol: 50px

via Wikipedia infobox

Described at

Capacitors and Ohm's law - BBC Bitesize

Identify, explain, and select capacitors; understand capacitance units; grasp current, voltage, and resistance relationships; and perform Ohm’s law calculations.

bbc.co.uk →

Add subjects, save guides and continue where you left off with your BBC account. 1. Electrolytic capacitors – these are polarised, so they have a positive and a negative leg. Usage : applications requiring large capacitance values, such as timing circuits and power supplies. 2. Ceramic capacitors – these are non-polarised. Usage : applications like signal smoothing. Choose capacitors based on the required capacitance, voltage rating, and whether the circuit requires a polarised or non-polarised capacitor. Stage 1 : The 9V battery sends electrical charge to the capacitor's plates, allowing it to store energy (like filling a tank). The capacitor continues charging until it's full. Stage 2: When the SPDT switchcloseSingle pole, double throw (SPDT) switchA type of electrical switch that allows you to connect a single input to one of two outputs. It has has one input terminal (the pole) and two output terminals (the throws). is manually pressed, the battery is now cut off from the rest of the circuit. However, the stored energy from the capacitor can now flow through the circuit, making the LED light up briefly. The resistor will control the discharge rate of the capacitor by limiting the flow of current through the circuit. If you know any two of these quantities, you can calculate the third.

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Wikidata facts

Image: JVC MX-J950R - power module-1112 (cropped) - Elna Silmic electrolytic capacitors.jpg

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described at URL: www.electronics-notes.com/articles/electronic_components/capacitors/capacitor-types.php
Commons category: Capacitors
Stack Exchange tag: electronics.stackexchange.com/tags/capacitor
short name: C

Sources (4)

via Wikidata · CC0

~90 min read

Article

63 sections

Contents

History
Theory of operation
Overview
Hydraulic analogy
Circuit equivalence at short-time limit and long-time limit
Parallel-plate capacitor
Interleaved capacitor
Energy stored in a capacitor
Current–voltage relation
RC circuits
AC circuits
Laplace circuit analysis (s-domain)
Circuit analysis
Capacitors in parallel
Voltage distribution in parallel-to-series networks
Non-ideal behavior
{{anchor|sparking}}Breakdown voltage
Equivalent circuit
Simplified RLC series model
Q factor
Ripple current
Capacitance instability
Current and voltage reversal
Dielectric absorption
Leakage
Electrolytic failure from disuse
Lifespan
Capacitor types
Dielectric materials
Voltage-dependent capacitors
Frequency-dependent capacitors
Styles
Capacitor markings
Marking codes for larger parts
Three-/four-character marking code for small capacitors
{{anchor|2-char-capacitor-marking-code}}Two-character marking code for small capacitors
RKM code
Historical
Applications
Energy storage
Digital memory
Pulsed power and weapons
Power conditioning
Power-factor correction
Suppression and coupling
Signal coupling
Decoupling
High-pass and low-pass filters
Noise suppression, spikes, and snubbers
Motor starters
Signal processing
Tuned circuits
Sensing
Oscillators
Producing light
Hazards and safety
See also
Notes
References
Citations
Bibliography
Further reading
External links

The utility of a capacitor depends on its capacitance. While some capacitance exists between any two electrical conductors in proximity in a circuit, a capacitor is a component designed specifically to add capacitance to some part of the circuit.