Introduction to capacitors
Capacitors are small devices used to store electric charges and consist of one or more pairs of conductors separated by an insulator. They’re mainly used in energy-storing devices such as televisions, radios, and other kinds of electronic equipment — basically, they’re everywhere in our daily lives. When you tune a radio into a station, take a flash photo with a digital camera, or change the channel on your HDTV, you’re making use of capacitors. Here are 14 facts on this everyday technology.
Capacitor information and FAQs
What is a capacitor made out of?
A capacitor is a circuit component made of two conducting surfaces (plates) separated by a dielectric (non-conducting insulator) material. A capacitor’s conducting surfaces are made of different materials, including a thin film of conductive metal or aluminum. The negatively charged plate is known as the cathode and the positively charged plate is known as the anode.
What are the most popular capacitor shapes?
Capacitor shapes are either flat or rolled (cylinder).
Who invented the capacitor?
The Leyden jar was the first capacitor created, invented in 1745 by Pieter van Musschenbroek.
How do dielectrics affect capacitors?
Capacitors with higher capacitance values are made from materials with a higher dielectric constant. Dielectric materials used in capacitors include ceramic, air, vacuum, paper impregnated with oil or wax, mylar, polystyrene, mica, and glass.
How does a capacitor work?
A capacitor can absorb energy from a circuit and store it temporarily. The capacitor can then later return the energy to the circuit. Capacitors discharge very slowly, but many can store a charge for years. Handling a charged capacitor in the wrong way can result in burns or even death, especially if the capacitor is large.
How do resistors and capacitors work together?
A capacitor is discharged slowly when a resistor is connected to each leg. The resistor must be rated for the same or higher voltage than the capacitor can store for this method of discharge in order to work safely.
What are capacitors measured in?
Capacitors are measured in a unit called farads, named after the scientist Michael Faraday. This measure is also known as capacitance.
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