30-second summary
Capacitor
A capacitor is a device that can store electric charge and normally consists of two conducting objects (usually plates or sheets) placed near each other but not touching.
Basically, capacitors consist of two metal plates separated by an insulator. The insulator is called a dielectric. (e.g., polystyrene, oil, or air).
Capacitors are one of the most used and useful electronic components used in any modern electronic and electrical circuit and devices.
The most common kinds of capacitors are:
- Electrolytic capacitors
- Ceramic capacitors
- Paper capacitors
- Film capacitors
- Mica capacitors
- Supercapacitors
See also: Capacitance
See also: Dielectrics
Electrolytic Capacitors
Electrolytic capacitors are a type of capacitor that use a liquid electrolyte as one of the capacitor plates. They are commonly used in electronic circuits where high capacitance values and relatively high voltage ratings are required. Here are some characteristics of electrolytic capacitors:
- High capacitance values: Electrolytic capacitors can provide high capacitance values, ranging from a few microfarads to several farads.
- High voltage ratings: Electrolytic capacitors have relatively high voltage ratings, typically ranging from a few volts to several hundred volts.
- Polarized: They are polarized, meaning they have a positive and negative terminal and must be connected in the correct orientation in a circuit.
- Large size: They are generally larger in size compared to other types of capacitors, which may make them less suitable for space-constrained applications.
- High ESR: They have higher equivalent series resistance (ESR) compared to other types of capacitors, which may affect their performance in some applications.
- Temperature sensitivity: They can be sensitive to temperature, and their capacitance values may change with changes in temperature.
- Short lifespan: They have a shorter lifespan compared to other types of capacitors due to their use of a liquid electrolyte, which can evaporate or dry out over time.
Overall, electrolytic capacitors are a popular choice in electronic circuits where high capacitance values and relatively high voltage ratings are required, such as in power supply circuits. However, their larger size, high ESR, and shorter lifespan may limit their use in some applications. Different types of electrolytic capacitors include aluminum electrolytic capacitors and tantalum electrolytic capacitors, each with their own unique characteristics and applications.
