DEPART MENT OF TECHNIUCALEDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : Y. Sarath Babu
Designation : Lecturer in ECE
Branch : Electronics & Comm. Engineering
Institute : G.M.R. Polytechnic, Gajwel
Semester : I Year
Subject : Electronic Components & Devices
Sub. Code : EC-105
Topic : Capacitors
Duration : 50min
Sub Topic : Combination of Capacitors (Series)
Teaching aids : Diagrams, animations

EC105.35 1
Objectives

On completion of this period, you would be

able to know

• Different types of capacitors.

• Applications of capacitors.

• Various types of losses in capacitors.

EC105.35 2
Combinations of Capacitors:

• Capacitors may be connected in series to Decrease the

total capacitance value.

• Capacitors connected in parallel to increase the

total capacitance value.

EC105.35 3
Capacitors connected in Series:

• Two or more capacitors connected in series, the

total capacitance decreases.

• It has the effect of increasing the distance between the

capacitor plates.

• The total capacitance is less than the lowest

capacitance present in the circuit.

EC105.35 4
Three capacitors connected in series (End to End):

Q
+ - + Q - + Q -
V1 V2 V3

+ -
V

Capacitance in series. C1, C2, C3 = Capacitance of three

capacitors.
• V1, V2, V3 = Voltage drops across C1, C2 and C3.
• V = Applied voltage.
EC105.35 5
In Series combination, charges (Q) on all capacitors is
same, but voltage drops are different.

• V = V1+V2+V3
• Q/C = Q/C1 + Q/C2 + Q/C3
• 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3

If ‘n’ capacitors connected in series

then

1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 …….. 1/Cn

EC105.35 6
Example 1:
• When 8μF, 2μF and 16μF are connected in series
find out the total capacitance.

Solution: When three capacitors are connected in series.

• 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3

• 1/C = 1/8 + 1/2 + 1/16 + = 11/16

• 1/C = 11/16

• C = 1.454μF EC105.35 7
Example 2:
• Three capacitors of 10μF, 50μF and 25μF are connected in series,
find the total capacitance and the charge on it when connected to a
230V supply.
Solution:
• Given data C1=10μF, C2=50μF, C3=25μF and V=230V.
• Then C=?, Q= ?
• We know that when capacitors are connected in series the total
capacitance is 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3
• 1/C = 1/10 X 10-6 + 1/50 X 10-6 + 1/25 X 10-6
• 1/C = 0.16 X 106
• C= 6.25μF
• Charge Q = CV = 6.25 x 10-6 x 230
• Q = 1.43 mc.
EC105.35 8
Example 3:
• Two capacitors having capacitance of 10μF and 15μF
respectively are connected in series across a 200V, DC
supply.
• Calculate (i) charge on each capacitor (ii) the potential
difference across each capacitor.

• Solution:
• Given data C1=10μF, C2=15μF, V=200V, then Q=?,
V1,V2=?
• We know that when capacitors are connected in series
the total capacitance is 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2.
• 1/C = 1/10 x 10-6 + 1/15 x 10-6
• 1/C = 1.667 x 105
• C = 6μF.
EC105.35 9
i) Charge on each capacitor:

• Q = CV

• Q = 6 x 10-6 x 200

• Q = 1.2 x 10-3 coulombs

(ii) The potential difference across each capacitor.

• Since charge is same in series circuits.

• V1 = Q/C1 = 1.2 x 10-03 / 10 x 10-06 = 120V

• V2 = Q/C2 = 1.2 x 10-03 / 15 x 10-06 = 80V

EC105.35 10
Summary

• When capacitors are connected in series the resultant

capacitance decreases.

• When capacitors are connected in series the total

capacitance is less than lowest capacitance in the circuit.

EC105.35 11
QUIZ

1. Three capacitors of 15 μF are connected in series. The

resultant capacitance of the combination is

a) 30 μF

b) 15 μF

c) 5 μF

d) 1μF

EC105.35 12
 Frequently asked Questions

1. Calculate the resultant capacitance when capacitors of

3 μF, 6 μF and 9 μF are connected in series.

2. Calculate the resultant capacitance when capacitors of

10 μF, 20 μF and 10 μF are connected in Series.

EC105.35 13
 Assignment questions

1. Calculate the resultant capacitance when capacitors of

4 μF, 8 μF and 10 μF are connected in series.

2. Calculate the resultant capacitance when capacitors of

10 μF, 20 μF and 10 μF are connected in parallel.

EC105.35 14