Study The Vocabulary
Study The Vocabulary
Study The Vocabulary
Disadvantage недостаток
to prevent предотвращать
Reason причина
c. a radioman _____________________________
Capacitors
A capacitor is one of the main elements of a circuit. It is used to store electric
energy. A capacitor stores electric energy provided that a voltage source is applied
to it.
The main parts of a capacitor are metal plates and insulators. The function of
insulators is to isolate the metal plates and in this way to prevent a short.
In the diagram one can see two common types of capacitors in use nowadays: a
fixed capacitor and a variable one. The plates of a fixed capacitor cannot be
moved; for this reason its capacity does not change. The plates of a variable
capacitor move; its capacity changes. The greater the distance between the plates,
the less is the capacity of a capacitor. Variable capacitors are commonly used by
radiomen; their function is to vary the frequency in the circuit. Fixed capacitors are
used in telephone and radio work.
Fig. 8 Fig. 9
Fixed capacitors have insulators produced of paper, ceramics and other materials;
variable capacitors have air insulators. Paper capacitors are commonly used in
radio and electronics; their advantage is their high capacity: it may be higher than
1,000 picofarad.
Besides, electrolyte capacitors are highly in use. They also have a very high
capacity: it varies from 0.5 to 2,000 microfarad. Their disadvantage is that they
change their capacity when the temperature changes. They can operate without a
change only at temperatures not lower than -40° C.
Common troubles in capacitors are an open and a short. A capacitor stops
operating and does not store energy in case it has a trouble. A capacitor with a
trouble should be substituted by a new one.