How To Read The Value of A Non-polar Capacitor

Three Number Code:
Three digit number codes are always in picofarads(pF)

The first two numbers are the first 2 digits. The third digit is the multiplier.














Example: What is the reading of this ceramic capacitor?


1 and 5 are the first two digits. Based on the table, 4 corresponds to 10 000.
Therefore, the capacitance of this capacitor is 150 000 pF.


What if you want to know the capacitance in nanofarads(nF)?
Remember: 1 pF = 1.0 X 10 ^-12 Farad
                  1 nF = 1.0 X 10 ^-9 Farad


 Get the difference of 12 and 9. It is 3.
 150 000 pF
 Move 3 spaces to the left and you'll get 150 nF.
                                           
                        

Ceramic Capacitor

Ceramic capacitors are non-polar capacitors. They have a very small capacitance value so their energy capacity is also small. Most ceramic capacitors are orange in colar and are rough.

The materials used to construct the dielectric of this capacitor is titanium acid barium.

Electrolytic Capacitor

Electrolytic capacitors are polar capacitors. They are dielectric because their bodies are insulators.


They are two types of electrolytic capacitor: Radial and Axial.


If connected with exceeding voltage source or wrong polarity, the electrolytic may literally explode because it contains dangerous chemicals.

The higher the capacitance of the capacitor, the bigger the capacitor. 

The longer leg is Positive.
The shorter leg is Negative.

Capacitors: Introduction

CAPACITORS are devices for storing electric charge. They are also known as CONDENSERS


Capacitance is the ability of the capacitor to store electric charge. 
C is the symbol for capacitance in an equation.
Farad (F) is the unit of Capacitance.
Capacitance values are very small so these are the common units that are generally used.

• Microfarad (μF)
• Nanofarad (nF)
• Picofarad (pF)

Farad is the unit of capacitance.


CLASSIFICATIONS OF CAPACITORS:
 1.Polar Capacitor:
It has positive and negative terminals like a battery

2.Non-polar Capactor
It has no polarity.


3. Variable Capacitor
Their capacitance can be adjusted to different values.