Module 3.9 Capacitance Final

PIA Training Centre (PTC)
Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS
Category A/B1/B2
Sub Module 3.9 Capacitance / Capacitor
MODULE 3
Sub Module 3.9
CAPACITANCE / CAPACITOR
ISO 9001 - 2008 Certified

PTC/CM/B Basic/M3/01
3.9
For Training Purpose Only
Rev. 00
Mar 2014

Category A/B1/B2
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------ 2

CAPACTOR TYPES, CONSTRUCTION AND FUNCTION ----------- 10

CAPACITOR COLOUR CODING ---------------------------------------- 15
OPERATION AND FUNCTION OF A CAPACITOR -------------------- 2
CALCULATIONS OF CAPACITANCE AND VOLTAGE IN SERIES

AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS ----------------------------------------------- 16
FACTORS AFFECTING CAPACITANCE ---------------------------------- 6
EXPONENTIAL CHARGE AND DISCHARGE OF A CAPACITOR--- 20
AREA OF PLATES ----------------------------------------------------------- 6

DISTANCE BETWEEN PLATES ------------------------------------------- 6
NUMBER OF PLATES ------------------------------------------------------ 6
DIELECTRIC CONSTANT--------------------------------------------------- 7
SAFE WORKING VOLTAGE ----------------------------------------------- 9
ISO 9001 - 2008 Approved

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INTRODUCTION
A Capacitor basically consists of two plates separated by
dielectric medium which is used to store electrical charges. The
conductors can be any material which will conduct electricity
easily. The dielectric material must be a poor conductor an
insulator. The symbol for a capacitor used in schematic
diagrams of electronic circuits looks very much like a parallelplate model.

OPERATION AND FUNCTION OF A CAPACITOR

A favorite analogy compares the flow of electric current with the
flow of water out of a tank. A capacitor stores energy when it is
charged. The water tank would be the capacitor and it would be
charged by a pump (a battery) which fills it up. The amount of
charge in the capacitor would be analogous to the amount of
water in the tank. The height of the water above some reference
point would be the voltage to which the battery had pumped up
the capacitor, and the area of the tank would be capacitance.
A tall, skinny tank might contain the same amount of water as a
shallow, flat tank, but the tall, skinny tank would hold it at a
higher pressure.
FIGURE: 3.9.1

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When charged by a battery, one electrode of the capacitor will

become positively charged and the other one will be
correspondingly negatively charged.
FIGURE: 3.9.3
FIGURE: 3.9.2

3.9- 3
When the diagram of the capacitor is magnified, it can be seen

that the presence of electrical charges on the electrodes
induces charges in the dielectric. These induced charges
determine something called permittivity. Each different dielectric
material has its own value of permittivity. A more practical and
better known measurement tool is called K, or dielectric
constant. K is the ratio of the permittivity of the dielectric in use
to the permittivity of free space a vacuum. Therefore, all the
capacitance values are related to the permittivity of vacuum.
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operate in a vacuum, and to have a spacing between electrodes

of one millimeter. First, turn the equation around to solve for the
area and then plug in the values known. This calculates to 113
million square meters, which would be a field about 6.5 miles on
aside. Its not hard to see why one farad capacitors arent made
very often and when they are, they are never made with a
vacuum dielectric and a one millimeter spacing. Vacuum
capacitors are made, but the market is pretty well limited to
laboratory standards. All commercial capacitors use some
different dielectric material with a higher value of K.
FIGURE: 3.9.4
In a vacuum, K = 1, while K in every material has some value
greater than 1. The higher the K, the more capacitance can
be realized, with all other things being equal.
The expression of capacitance is seen here, and note the
presence of the constant,
8.85 X 1012(permittivity of vacuum).
The only trick involved in using this equation is to keep the
units consistent. Capacitance is in farads, the area A is in
square meters and the distance between electrodes D is in
meters. K is a ratio and a pure number without dimensions.
Sometimes different constants are used in the equation. This
comes about when units other than farads and meters are used.
Microfarads and inches might be used, for example.
To get an idea of what a farad is, calculate the area which
would be necessary in a capacitor built to have one farad, to

3.9- 4
FIGURE: 3.9.5
Materials used today are in the table. There is a tendency
toward the higher values of K. (With a K of 10, there would be a
reduction of one farad capacitor area to a mere 11.3million
square meters!) The wide range in values for barium titanate,
which is the basis for most ceramic capacitors, is an unfortunate
fact of nature which will be discussed more completely later on.
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Why make commercial capacitors with any of the materials

having low values of K? The answer generally less with other
capacitor characteristics such as stability with respect to
temperature, voltage ratings, etc. These will all be explored
through investigation of other dielectric systems later on.
Where Q is in coulombs, V is in volts and the constant C is in

FARADS (F).
A capacitor opposes change in voltage i.e. it resists immediate
building of charge around its plates.
The farad is a very large unit and in practice it is usual to find
capacitance measured in microfarads or even picofarads.
These sub units are:
1
farads 1microfarad(F ) 106 F also109 F 1nanoFarad
1000000
FIGURE:3.9.6
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VOLTAGE AND CHARGE
IN A CAPACITOR
There is a direct relationship between the Voltage (V) placed
across the plates of a capacitor and the charge (Q) held by
them. If the voltage is doubled the charge is doubled, if the
charge is halved then the voltage is halved etc. This tells us
that the ratio of charge to voltage is constant and this is known
as the CAPACITANCE (C) of the capacitor i.e.:
C=
Q
V

3.9- 5
1
microfarads 1 picofarad ( pF ) 10 12 F
1000000
Of course when values are put into the capacitance charge and
voltage formula given above they must be in their basic unit.
Example
When a voltage of 28V is present across a 10 microfarad
capacitor, what is the charge on the capacitor?
Answer
C
or
I.e.
Q
V
Q=C V
Q= 10 10-6 28 coulombs
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Q = 280 10-6 coulombs (C)

It should be noted that the capacitor can be considered to act as
a reservoir, storing a quantity of electricity as an electrostatic
field between the surfaces. We shall now proceed to see what
factors affect capacitance.
FACTORS AFFECTING CAPACITANCE

AREA OF PLATES
Answer
By increasing the area of the plates we can put more charge on

the plates before the repulsive forces becomes a problem.
Therefore, the capacitance is proportional to the overlapping
surface area of the plates. In a variable capacitor the
overlapping area can be increased or decreased by rotating
interpenetrating plates thus increasing or decreasing the
capacitance. Electrolytic capacitors have their plates etched to
produce a rough surface which increases the surface area still
further.
Substituting in Formula
DISTANCE BETWEEN PLATES
2
C 1 2 8.85 10 12 F
10
200 8.85 10 12
Decreasing the separation of the plates, decreases the voltage

of the capacitor since the electric-field is not affected by the
distance between the plates. The voltage on the capacitor
is V=Ed. Therefore the voltage increases. For a constant
charge, Q, C=Q/V =Q/Ed.
Example
Calculate C for two plates each with an area 2 m2, separated by
1 cm, or 10-2 m, with a dielectric of air.
C 177010 12 F or 1770 pF
NUMBER OF PLATES
The most convenient way of achieving large capacitance is by
using large plate area. Increasing the pate area may increase
the physical size of the capacitor enormously. In order to obtain
a large area of plate surface without using too bulky a capacitor,
multiplate construction is employed. In this construction , the
capacitor is built up of alternate sheets of metal foil(i.e. plates)

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and thin sheets of dielectric . The odd-numbered metal sheets

are connected together to form one terminal T1 and evennumbered metal sheets are connected together to form the
second terminal T2 .FIGURE:3.9.7 shows a multiplate capacitor
with seven plates. A little reflection shows that this arrangement
is equivalent to 6 capacitors in parallel. The total capacitance
will , therefore , be 6 times the capacitance of a single capacitor
( formed by say plates 1 and 2). If there are n plates, each of
area A, then (n-1) capacitors will be in parallel.
Capacitance of n plate capacitor = (n-1)

DIELECTRIC CONSTANT
The dielectric constant of a material is actually its ABSOLUTE
PERMITTIVITY with the symbol or K and it is the measure of
the dielectrics ability to concentrate into itself electrostatic
FLUX.
This factor also corresponds to relative permeability, with the
symbol r and these numbers are pure numbers without units as
they are ratios.
Hence r = / o like r = / o
The Permittivity of free space o is 8.854 x 10-12 F/m in S units
for electrical flux in air or a vacuum.
Various materials are used as dielectrics and they have their
own dielectric values. One material used is, waxed paper,
when inserted between the plates instead of air, the
capacitance is multiplied by about 3 and this is the dielectric
constant for waxed paper.
The Relative Dielectric constant of materials (kr) is always given
as a multiplier of that of Air or Vacuum. The greater the relative
permittivity the greater the capacitance of the capacitor
FIGURE: 3.9.7
The absolute Permittivity of Air or Vacuum is (ko) 8.854 pF/m

(picofarads / meter).
To obtain the dielectric constant of materials we have to multiply
K = ko x kr or kr x 8.85 x 10-12 F/m
Since,
Kr = k / ko

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Taking all these together in a formula from which the

capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor can be found by:
ka
farads
d
200 8.85 10 12
C 177010 12 F or 1770 pF
Material
Dielectric
Constant K
Dielectric Strength
V/Mil
Air or vacuum
20
Aluminium oxide
Ceramics
80-1200
600-1250
Glass
335-2000
1 Mil = 1/1000 of an inch

1 Circular Mil dia is usually of a circular conductor strand having
its diameter of 1 Mil.
1 Square Mile is usually a term used for the busbar conductors
having a length and or breadth of 1 Mil.
Mica
3-8
600-1500
Oil
2-5
275
Paper
2-6
1250
Example
Plastic film
2-3
Calculate C for two plates each with an area 2 m2, separated by

1 cm, or 10-2 m, with a dielectric of air.
Tantalum oxide
25
As usual the quantities must be in their correct basic units i.e. a

in square meters, d in meters and k is a pure number. The
answer then obtained is in farads.
When IQ is stored in the dielectric with a potential difference of
1V the capacitance is 1 F. Similarly, the Dielectric strength is
the ability of a dielectric to withstand a potential difference
without arcing across it. Capacitors with higher Voltage ratings
have more distance between their plates The greater is the
relative permittivity the greater is the capacitance of a capacitor.
Figure 3.9-1
Answer
Substituting in Formula
C 1
2
8.85 10 12 F
2
10

3.9- 8
The strength of some commonly used dielectric materials

is listed in Figure 3.9-1. The voltage rating also describes the
resultant heating effect, increase as the frequency increases.
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SAFE WORKING VOLTAGE

When a dc voltage is applied across the plates of a capacitor
the electrons in the materials between the plates are put under
strain. This is shown in a very simple way in the diagram. In
the diagram the capacitor is not charged and the electrons are
spinning in their normal orbits. When the switch is closed the
electrons will be attracted towards the positive plate and away
from the negative plate. As the voltage applied to the plates is
increased the electrons are stretched in their orbits more and
more and if the voltage is increased to or beyond the rated
maximum safe working value the electric field becomes strong
enough to cause a flash-over between the plates. This is
usually written on the capacitor as say 750V DC WKG.
NOTE:
It should be noted that a charged capacitor,

especially a large one, can be very dangerous, so
always make sure that it is discharged before you
attempt to touch it.
FIGURE: 3.9.9

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CAPACTOR TYPES
Capacitors come in all shapes and sizes and are usually
marked with their value in farads. They may also be divided into
two groups: fixed and variable. The fixed capacitors, which have
approximately constant capacitance, may then be further
divided according to the type of dielectric used. Some varieties
are: paper, oil, mica, electrolytic and ceramic capacitors. Figure
3.9-7 shows the schematic symbols for a fixed and variable
capacitor.
Fixed capacitors:
Mica capacitors:
The fixed mica capacitor is made of metal foil plates that are
separated by sheets of mica, which form the dielectric. The
whole assembly is covered in molded plastic, which keeps out
moisture. Mica is an excellent dielectric and will withstand
higher voltages than paper without allowing arcing between the
plates. Common values of mica capacitors range from
approximately 50 microfarads, to about 0.02 microfarads. Mica
capacitor is shown in figure 3.9.11
FIGURE 3.9.11 MICA CAPACITORS

FIGURE 3.9.10 Schematic Symbols for a fixed and variable
capacitor

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Ceramic:
The ceramic capacitor is constructed with materials, such as
titanium acid barium for a dielectric. Internally these capacitors
are not constructed as a coil, so they are well suited for use in
high frequency applications. They are shaped like a disk,
available in very small Capacitance values and very small sizes.
This type is fairly small, inexpensive, and reliable. Both the
ceramic and the electrolytic are the most widely available and
used capacitor. ceramic capacitor is shown in figure 3.9.12
FIGURE 3.9.12 CERAMICS CAPACITORS

Electrolytic:
Two kinds of electrolytic capacitors are in use: (1) wet
Electrolytic and (2) dry electrolytic. The wet electrolytic capacitor
is designed of two metals Plates separated by an electrolyte
with an electrolyte dielectric, which is basically conductive salt in
solvent.
3.9- 11

For capacitances greater than a few microfarads, the plate

areas of paper or mica capacitors must become very large;
thus, electrolytic capacitors are usually used instead. These
units provide large capacitance in small physical sizes. Their
values range from 1 to about 1,500 microfarads.
Unlike the other types, electrolytic capacitors are generally
polarized, with the positive lead marked with a + and the
negative lead marked with a . They are used in circuits that
have a combination of DC & AC voltage, the DC voltage
maintains the required polarity across the capacitor to form the
Oxide film (molecular dielectric) deposit on the positive
electrode, which is an aluminum sheet folded to achieve
maximum area of the capacitor. The close spacing of the
negative and positive electrodes gives rise to the comparatively
high capacitance value, but allows greater possibility of voltage
breakdown and leakage of electrons from one electrode to the
other. An electrolyte capacitor of the same size as of a 0.1F
paper capacitor may have 1000 F of capacitance or more.
The electrolyte of the dry electrolytic unit is a paste contained in
a separator made of an absorbent material, such as gauze or
paper. The separator not only holds the electrolyte in place but
also prevents it from short circuiting the plates. Dry electrolytic
capacitors are made in both cylindrical and rectangular block
form and may be contained either within cardboard or metal
covers. Since the electrolyte cannot spill, the dry capacitor may
be mounted in any convenient position. If the Electrolytic
capacitor is connected in opposite polarity the reversed
electrolyte form gas in the capacitor, it becomes hot & may
explode. Electrolytic capacitors are shown in Figure 3.9.13
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FIGURE 3.9.13 ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITOR

Tantalum:
Similar to the electrolytic, these capacitors are constructed
with a material called tantalum, which is used for the electrodes.
They are superior to electrolytic capacitors, having better
temperature & frequency characteristics, longer shelf life and
less leakage current. When some tantalum powder is baked it
solidifies and a crack is formed inside. This crack is used to
store an electrical charge. Like electrolytic capacitors, the
tantalum capacitors are also polarized and are indicated with
the + and symbols. The dielectric constant of tantalum is
25 in comparison to Aluminum which is 7. Tantalum capacitors
are shown in Figure 3.9.14
FIGURE 3.9.14 TANTALUM CAPACITOR

Polyester Film
In this capacitor, a thin polyester film is used as a dielectric.
These components are inexpensive, temperature stable, and
widely used. Tolerance is approximately510 percent. It can be
quite large depending on capacity or rated voltage capacitors
are shown in Figure 3.9.15
FIGURE 3.9.15 POLYESTER CAPACITOR

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Oil Capacitors
In radio and radar transmitters, voltages high enough to cause
arcing, or breakdown, of paper dielectrics are often used.
Consequently, in these applications capacitors that use oil or oil
impregnated paper for the dielectric material are preferred.
Capacitors of this type are considerably more expensive than
ordinary paper capacitors, and their use is generally restricted
to radio and radar transmitting equipment. [Figure 3.9.16]
FIGURE 3.9.16 OIL CAPACITOR

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Variable Capacitors
Variable capacitors are mostly used in radio tuning circuits, and
they are sometimes called tuning capacitors. They have very
small capacitance values, typically between 100pF and 500pF.
Trimmers
The trimmer is actually an adjustable or variable capacitor,
which uses ceramic or plastic as a dielectric. Most of them are
color coded to easily recognize their tunable size. The ceramic
type has the value printed on them. Colors are yellow (5pF),
blue (7pF), white (10pF), green (30pF), and brown
(60pf).trimmer capacitor is shown in figure 3.9.17
Varactors
A voltage-variable capacitor or varactor is also known as a
variable capacitance diode or a varicap. This device utilizes the
variation of the barrier width in a reversed-biased diode.
Because the barrier width of a diode acts as a non-conductor, a
diode forms a capacitor when reversed biased. Essentially the
N-type material becomes one plate and the junctions are the
dielectric. If the reversed-bias voltage is increased, then the
barrier width widens, effectively separating the two capacitor
plates and reducing the capacitance. varactor capacitor is
shown in figure 3.9.18
FIGURE 3.9.17TRIMMER
FIGURE 3.9.18 VARACTOR

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CAPACITOR COLOUR CODING

SUMMARY OF TYPES OF CAPACITORS

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Maximum
Voltage
Type
Capacitance
Paper
250 pF 10
F
150 kV
Mica
25 pF 0.25
F
2kV
Ceramic
0.25 pF 0.01
F
500V
Electrolytic
1 F 1000 F
600V
Variable
50 pF 500 pF
2 Kv
Trimmer
2 pF = 150 pf
350 V

3.9- 16
Remark
Cheap. Used in
circuits where
losses are not
important
High quality. Used
in low loss circuits
High quality. Used
in low loss
precision circuits
where
miniaturization is
important
Used where large
capacitance is
needed. The
circuit in which it is
used normally
contains a dc
component of
voltage. It must
be connected right
way round.
Gives large
variation in
capacitance.
Gives small
variation in
capacitance.
CALCULATIONS OF CAPACITANCE AND VOLTAGE IN

SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS
In the previous topic we saw what is meant by capacitance in
electrical terms and how the capacitance of a capacitor is
measured. Just as in the case of resistors and inductors we
now need to be able to calculate the total capacitance of circuits
with capacitors in series, parallel and combinations of series
and parallel.
Capacitors In Series
When capacitors are placed in series, the effective plate
separation is increased and the total capacitance is less than
that of the smallest capacitor. Additionally, the series
combination is capable of withstanding a higher total potential
difference than any of the individual capacitors. Figure 3.9.19 is
a simple series circuit. The bottom plate of C1 and the top plate
of C2 will be charged by electrostatic induction. The capacitors
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Here is an example of capacitors in series: charge as current is

established through the circuit. Since this is a series circuit, the
current must be the same at all points. Since the current is the
rate of flow of charge, the amount of charge (Q) stored by each
capacitor is equal to the total charge.
QT = Q1 + Q2 + Q3
According to Kirchhoffs voltage law, the sum of the voltages
across the charged capacitors must equal the total voltage, ET.
This is expressed as:
ET = E1 + E2 + E3
Equation E = Q/C can now be substituted into the voltage
equation where we now get:
Since the charge on all capacitors is equal, the Q terms

Can be factored out, leaving us with the equation:
Figure 3.9.19 SIMPE SERIES CIRCUIT
In general, for N capacitors connected in

series, is
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i.e.
1 3 2 1 6
C
12
12
C=
Consider the following example:
12
2F
6
If the answer had worked out to be 4 or more then we would

immediately know an error had been made.
Capacitors In Parallel
Example 1
Three capacitors of value 4F, 6F and 12F are joined in
series. Find the total capacitance of the circuit.
4
12
All F
Since all of the capacitors have the same unit of microfarads we

can insert them into the expression and the answer derived will
be in microfarads. Putting in these values we get:
When capacitors are connected in parallel, the effective plate

area increases, and the total capacitance is the sum of the
individual capacitances. Figure 3.9-3 shows an amplified
parallel circuit. The total charging current from the source
divides at the junction of the parallel branches. There is a
separate charging current through each branch so that a
different charge can be stored by each capacitor. Using
Kirchhoffs current law, the sum of all of the charging currents is
then equal to the total current. The sum of the charges (Q) on
the capacitors is equal to the total charge. The voltages (E)
across all of the parallel branches are equal. With all of this in
mind, a general equation for capacitors in parallel can
Be determined as:
QT = Q1 + Q2 + Q3
1 1 1 1

C 4 6 12

3.9- 18
Because
Q = CE: CTET = C1E1 + C2E2 + C3E3
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Voltages can be factored out because:

ET = E1 + E2 + E3
Leaving us with the equation for capacitors in parallel:
CT = C1 + C2 + C3
It is fairly obvious from the previous discussion that
for N capacitors in parallel, the total capacitance is
V = V1 = V2
I = I1 + I2
Q = Q1 + Q2
CV = C1V1 + C2 V2
C = C1 + C2
FIGURE 3.9.20 SIMPLIFIED PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Example 1
Consider the following example:
Three capacitors of 8F, 10F and 2F are connected in

parallel. What is the total capacitance of the circuit?
If,
C1 = 330F, C2 = 220F
THEN,
Answer 1
CT = 330F + 220F = 550F
Using the parallel formula and substituting the given values:
I.e.

3.9- 19
C = C1 + C2 + C3
C = 8F + 10F + 2F = 20F
C = 20F
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Example 2
If the supply voltage placed across the capacitors given in
Example 1 is 20 kilovolts, find the value of the charge on each
capacitor. (Remember to use the basic units of farad and volt.)
Answer 2
The voltage across each capacitor is 20 kilovolts and by
inserting this voltage into the general formula for the capacitors
and assuming the charges on them are Q1, Q2 and Q3
respectively, we get the following results:

{Q1 = C1V
i.e.
{Q1 = 8 x 10-6 x 20 x 103 coulomb
{Q1 = 160 x 10-3 = 0.16 coulomb
{Q2 = C2V
i.e.
{Q2 = 10 x 10-6 x 20 x 103 coulombs
{Q2 = 200 x 10-3 = 0.2. coulomb
{Q3 = C3V
i.e.
{Q3 = 2 x 10-6 x20 x103 = coulomb
{Q3 = 40 x10-3 = 0.04 coulomb
EXPONENTIAL CHARGE AND DISCHARGE OF A
CAPACITOR
The diagrams 3.9.21 (a) and (b) below show an uncharged
capacitor connected to a switch and, because the switch is
open, there is no voltage across the plates, therefore, there is
no electrostatic field and no energy is stored in the capacitor.
At the instant the switch is closed maximum current flows in the
circuit and a charge starts to appear on the plates of the
capacitor. This is an important fact i.e. the capacitor cannot
change its charge instantaneously. However very soon after
the switch is closed the battery removes electrons from the

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plate M and gives electrons to the plate N. This movement of

electrons is called the charging current and in this case where
there is no resistance in the circuit, will only last a very short
time. This is because the capacitor is able to become fully
charged almost instantaneously. Whilst the charge is building
up the voltage must be changing in the same way because we
know that Q/V is a constant.
When the voltage across the plates equals the battery voltage
the capacitor is fully charged, no current flows in the circuit and
the charges on plates M and N are equal and opposite. The
extent of the charges on the plates depends upon the voltage of
the battery and the capacitance of the capacitor.
Let us now see what happens when the switch is opened. At the
instant the switch is opened we know the capacitor cannot
change its charge instantaneously, therefore no current can flow
and this is obvious because, with the switch open, there is no
path for a current to flow. The diagrams show this state and
you can see that the capacitor continues to store electrical
energy and the voltage between the plates remains at the same
value of the battery voltage.
FIGURE:3.9.21
In effect, the capacitor can be isolated from the circuit but still
have a voltage potential and it is behaving as a battery storing
electrical energy. Hence the reason why there is a warning not
to leave a capacitor around fully charged.
If the plates are fully charged as shown in below and the battery
voltage is suddenly reversed, the plates will discharge through

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the battery and charge up again in the opposite direction (fig

3.9.22).
As this change of charge takes place current flows momentarily
the other way compared with the initial charging current.
You should note that except for these momentary charge and
discharge currents, capacitors do not allow dc current to flow
continuously through a circuit and a charged capacitor acts as a
block to dc currents. This effect is made use of in many
electronic circuits.

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FIGURE:3.9.22

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Charge Of A Capacitor Through A Resistor

When the switch is closed in the circuit shown below, the rate of
flow of current is determined not only by the amount of
resistance but also by the opposition of any charge which is
stored by the capacitor. If the capacitor has no charge when the
switch is closed the current will rise instantly to its maximum
value, given by V/R and the capacitor will begin to charge. The
increasing charge will establish a potential difference, opposing
the supply voltage V, which will cause the current to fall. When
the voltage across the capacitor (Vc), is equal (and opposite) to
the supply voltage the current will have fallen to zero.
Time Constant
The time in the formula is that required to charge to 63%of the

voltage of the source. The time required to bring the charge to
about 99% of the source voltage is approximately5 . Figure
3.9-6 illustrates this relationship ofa time constant
characteristics of charging.
CHARGE DISCHARGE CURVE
At t = 0 T
Q = 0 coulombs, as No charge at C.
VC = 0
I = V / R Maximum Current flows as the Capacitor acts like a
short circuit.
By applying KVL
The time required for a capacitor to attain a full charge is

proportional to the capacitance and the resistance of the circuit.
The resistance of the circuit introduces the element of time into
the charging and discharging of a capacitor.
When a capacitor charges or discharges through a resistance, a
certain amount of time is required for a full charge or discharge.
The voltage across the capacitor will not change
instantaneously. The rate of charging or discharging is
determined by the time constant of the circuit. The time constant
of a series RC (resistor/capacitor) circuit is a time interval that
equals the product of the resistance in ohms and the
capacitance in farad and is symbolized by the Greek letter tau
(). = RC

3.9- 24
V = VR + VC
=IR + Q/C
=IR+ 0
=IR
I = V / R i.e. Imax.
AT t = 1 T
As charging progress as per KVL equation
V = IR + Q/C
Rev. 00
Mar 2014
Category A/B1/B2
the current decreases and the charge Q increases and at t = 1T

VR = 0.368 x V
VC = 0.632 x V
VC = 0.632 x V
I = - 0.368 / R
At t = 5 T
Putting values in the equation

V = 0.368 V + 0.632 V
I = VR / R
VR = 0
VC = 0
I = 0
AT T = 5T
The capacitor is fully charged and the circuit current is zero.
Q=CV
VC = V
VR = 0
I =0
By KVL
V = 0 + VC
DISCHARGING
At t = 0 T
The capacitor is fully charged, when we short circuit the supply
then
VR + VC = 0
VR = - VC and
I = - VC / R
At t = 1 T
VR = - 0.368 x V
3.9- 25
Rev. 00
Mar 2014

Category A/B1/B2

FIGURE 3.9.24 CAPACITANCE CHARGE DISCHARGE

CURVE
FIGURE 3.9.23 CAPACITORS IN DIRECT CURRENT

3.9- 26
Rev. 00
Mar 2014
Category A/B1/B2
EXAMPLE 1
A 3F capacitor, charged to a PD of 100V, is discharged
through a 5 resistor. Calculate the time constant and the
voltage across the capacitor after the time constant has
elapsed.
T=CxR
6
6
= 5 3 10 15 10
after 15S the voltage will have fallen 63.2% of its maximum
value of 100V
Vc 100 63.2V 36.8V
NOTE: The voltage across the capacitor will fall to 0V in 5 x

15S = 75S
Testing Of Capacitor
A capacitor can be tested using an ohmmeter. When connected
across a capacitor, the ohmmeter's battery charges the
capacitor. The charging of the capacitor is indicated by a
changing value of resistance, from zero to infinity as the
capacitor charges. If the charging process is too quick to see, a
resistor can be placed in series with the meter and capacitor to
slow it down (time constant = CR). In many cases it is
necessary to remove the capacitor from the circuit in order to
test its serviceability.

3.9- 27
Rev. 00
Mar 2014

Module 3.9 Capacitance Final

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Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

Sub Module 3.9 Capacitance / Capacitor

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Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

CAPACTOR TYPES, CONSTRUCTION AND FUNCTION ----------- 10

OPERATION AND FUNCTION OF A CAPACITOR -------------------- 2

CALCULATIONS OF CAPACITANCE AND VOLTAGE IN SERIES

FACTORS AFFECTING CAPACITANCE ---------------------------------- 6

EXPONENTIAL CHARGE AND DISCHARGE OF A CAPACITOR--- 20

AREA OF PLATES ----------------------------------------------------------- 6

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Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

OPERATION AND FUNCTION OF A CAPACITOR

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Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

Sub Module 3.9 Capacitance / Capacitor

When charged by a battery, one electrode of the capacitor will

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When the diagram of the capacitor is magnified, it can be seen

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Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

Sub Module 3.9 Capacitance / Capacitor

operate in a vacuum, and to have a spacing between electrodes

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Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

Why make commercial capacitors with any of the materials

Sub Module 3.9 Capacitance / Capacitor

Where Q is in coulombs, V is in volts and the constant C is in

ISO 9001 - 2008 Approved

PIA Training Centre (PTC)

Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

Q = 280 10-6 coulombs (C)

Sub Module 3.9 Capacitance / Capacitor

FACTORS AFFECTING CAPACITANCE

By increasing the area of the plates we can put more charge on

DISTANCE BETWEEN PLATES

Decreasing the separation of the plates, decreases the voltage

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and thin sheets of dielectric . The odd-numbered metal sheets

Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

The absolute Permittivity of Air or Vacuum is (ko) 8.854 pF/m

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Module 3 ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

Sub Module 3.9 Capacitance / Capacitor

Taking all these together in a formula from which the

1 Mil = 1/1000 of an inch

Calculate C for two plates each with an area 2 m2, separated by

As usual the quantities must be in their correct basic units i.e. a

ISO 9001 - 2008 Approved

The strength of some commonly used dielectric materials