9 Popular Types of Capacitors
9 Popular Types of Capacitors
This shows 9 Popular Types of Capacitors. Capacitors are electrical components that store electrical energy in an electric field. They are used in electronic circuits to block direct current (DC) while allowing alternating current (AC) to pass. The chart lists the following types of capacitors:
- Fixed Capacitor: This is a general term for a capacitor where the capacitance cannot be varied.
- Mica Capacitor: These capacitors are made from mica, a mineral that is a good insulator. They are known for their high stability and low loss, but they are also large and expensive.
- Electrolytic Capacitor: These capacitors have a large capacitance for their size. They are polarized, meaning that they have a positive and a negative terminal, and they must be connected to a circuit with the correct polarity. They are also known for having a high leakage current, which means that a small amount of current can leak through them even when they are not charged.
- Ceramic Capacitor: These capacitors are made from ceramic, a type of material that is a good insulator. They are small and inexpensive, but they have a lower capacitance than electrolytic capacitors and they are less stable.
- Polyester Capacitor: These capacitors are made from polyester film, a type of plastic. They are small and inexpensive, and they have a good balance of capacitance, stability, and loss.
- Variable Capacitor: This is a general term for a capacitor where the capacitance can be varied. Trimmers and tuning capacitors are variable capacitors. Trimmer capacitors are small capacitors that are used to fine-tune circuits. Tuning capacitors are larger capacitors that are used to tune radios and other devices to specific frequencies.
- Paper Capacitor: These capacitors are made from paper that has been impregnated with a dielectric material. They are inexpensive but bulky and have poor stability. They are no longer commonly used.
- Film Capacitor: This is a general term for a capacitor that is made from a thin film of plastic, such as polyester or polypropylene. Film capacitors are known for their good stability and low loss.
- Tantalum Capacitor: These capacitors are made from tantalum, a rare metal. They are similar to electrolytic capacitors in that they have a large capacitance for their size and are polarized. However, they are more expensive than electrolytic capacitors and they are more prone to failure.
The followings are the properties of capacitors:
- Capacitance: This is the ability of a capacitor to store electrical energy. It is measured in farads (F).
- Voltage Rating: This is the maximum voltage that a capacitor can withstand without breaking down.
- Tolerance: This is the percentage by which the capacitance of a capacitor can vary from its nominal value.
- Temperature Coefficient: This is the rate at which the capacitance of a capacitor changes with temperature.
- Dielectric Material: This is the insulating material that is placed between the two plates of a capacitor. The dielectric material affects the capacitance, voltage rating, and temperature coefficient of the capacitor.