Capacitors
A capacitor is a device for storing electric charge. Basically, capacitors consist of
two metal plates separated by an insulator. The insulator is called dielectric. (e.g.
polystyrene, oil or air). Capacitors are one of the most used and useful electronic
component used in any modern electronic and electrical circuit and devices.
Types of Capacitors based on General Classification:
Based on the general classification types, capacitors are classified into following
two types:
1. Fixed Capacitors
The capacitors whose value is fixed during the manufacturing process and cannot
be latter altered is called fixed capacitor. Fixed capacitors are also further classified
into two kinds, Electrolytic and Non-Electrolytic capacitors.
a. Non-Electrolytic Capacitor:
Non-Electrolytic capacitors are those capacitors which does not use a electrolyte in
it’s construction. Non-electrolytic capacitors can also be classified into following
types:
i. Paper Capacitor:
A paper capacitor is constructed of two thin tinfoil sheets which are separated by
thin waxed & oiled paper or plastic, the sandwich of thin foils and paper or plastic
is then rolled into a cylindrical shape which is then enclosed in plastic capsule. The
two tin foils of the capacitors are attached to two external leads.
These capacitors were called paper capacitors because initially paper was used in
between the two foils of the capacitor, but these days other materials like plastic
are also used.
The capacitance of paper capacitor can range in between 0.001 to 2.000 Micro
farad and the voltage rating can be as high as 2000 Voltage.
ii. Mica Capacitor:
To construct a mica capacitor several thin plate of metal are sandwiched separated
by thin sheets of mica, the alternate plate are then connected to form two terminals
which are connected to two leads and the whole assembly is enclosed in plastic of
bakelite capsule. Mica capacitors have small capacitance in the range of 50-500
picofarads, but have relatively high working voltage of up to 500 voltage.
iii. Ceramic Capacitor:
To construct a Ceramic capacitor a hollow tubular or plate like ceramic material
such as titanium dioxide and barium titanate is taken , which is then coated by a
deposit of silver compound on both inner and outer surface of the ceramic, the two
silver coating acts as two plates and the ceramic material acts as dielectric. The two
surfaces are then connected to leads and the whole assembly is then encapsulated
in a moisture proof coating.
Because of very high dielectric constant of ceramics ; Ceramic capacitors have
very high capacitance of up to 0.01 micro farad as compared to their size. Ceramic
types of capacitors generally have a 3-digit code printed onto their body to identify
their capacitance value in pico-farads. Generally the first two digits indicate the
capacitors value and the third digit indicates the number of zero’s to be added. For
example, a ceramic disc capacitor with the markings 103 would indicate 10 and 3
zero’s in pico-farads which is equivalent to 10,000 pF or 10nF.
b. Electrolytic Capacitor:
Electrolytic capacitor is a capacitor which use an electrolyte as negative plate.
Electrolyte capacitors have positive and negative plate and consists of following
materials:
i. A positive plate made up of Aluminium
ii. An extremely thin insulating film of Aluminium oxide as dielectric which is
electrochemically deposited in the surface of positive Aluminium plate
itself.
iii. An electrolyte of borax or carbon salt which is absorbed by a absorbent
gauze which is placed in contact with the dielectric and connected to an
external Aluminium lead acting as negative lead.
A electrolytic capacitor is made as described below:
A very thin and long stripe of Aluminium is coated with a very thin layer of
Aluminium oxide by electrochemical process, which is then covered with a layer
of gauze saturated with electrolyte of borax or carbon salt, then to the another side
of the gauze is placed similar very thin and long stripe of Aluminium, the two
Aluminium stripes are then connected to Aluminium leads and the entire sandwich
is then rolled up to form a cylinder and placed inside a cylindrical metal casing.
Because of the extremely thin distance of electrolyte between the positive
Aluminium plate and the negative electrolyte, electrolytic capacitors have very
large capacitance compared to their size which can range from 1 – 10000 micro-
Farads.
Electrolyte capacitors are polarized, or they contain positive and negative leads, so
they must be connected in an electronic circuit correspondingly. If a electrolytic
capacitor is connected in reverse polarity in circuits it results in short circuiting,
overheating and also gassing which might even cause the capacitor to explode.
Variable Capacitors
A variable capacitor is the capacitor whose capacitance can be varied as required
usually by rotating a shaft attached to the capacitor.
A normal variable capacitor consists of a Multi Plate parallel plate capacitor where
one set of plates is stationary which is called stator while the other sets of plates is
rotatable and is connected to a shaft, and by rotating the shaft the two sets of plates
can be configured to come over each other in a required amount which determines
the capacitance of the capacitor, when the sets of plates are fully over each other
the capacitance is highest .
Fig: Variable Capacitor
When two or more
capacitors are connected to
a common shaft the
configuration is known as a
ganged capacitor; ganged
capacitors is normally used
with short wave radio
equipment.
