EES Notes-2024

CAPACITORS/CONDENSERS Handout #4
In electrical engineering, a capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy since it accumulates electric
charges on two closely spaced surfaces that are insulated from each other. It charges and releases
energy much faster that is why it is different from a battery. A capacitor consists of a pair of conducting
plates separated by an insulating material. (eg oil, paper, etc)
The capacitor was originally known as the condenser, a term still encountered in a few compound
names, such as the condenser microphone.
Charging a capacitor Symbol of a Capacitor
Applications/why we use Capacitors
 In Energy storage, release energy fast when needed and charges again to store
 Power conditioning, by smoothening current fluctuations in circuits to remove
unwanted noise through modifying AC to DC conversion.
 Remote sensing and signal coupling/decoupling, whereby they filter out or smoothen
variations in electric signals
Types of Capacitors
(a) Ceramic Capacitors: Non-polarized
Properties: Small in size, Suitable for high-frequency applications, Low to moderate capacitance
values, Wide range of applications
(b) Variable Capacitors: Can be variable or adjustable
Properties: Capacitance can be adjusted manually or electronically, Are Commonly used in

tuning circuits, radio receivers, and frequency modulation circuits
(c) Electrolytic Capacitors: Polarized
Properties: High capacitance values, typically used in DC applications, Have a specific polarity
(positive and negative terminals)
(d) Mica Capacitors: Is a natural mineral that exhibits excellent electrical insulating properties and
high thermal stability. Mica capacitors are a type that uses mica as the di-electric material
between capacitor plates.
(e) Paper Capacitors: These were commonly used, but they are replaced by the other modern
capacitor types mentioned above. They are also known as paper dielectric capacitors, are a type
of capacitor that uses paper as the dielectric material.
(f) Multi-Plate Capacitors: A multi-plate capacitor typically refers to a type of parallel plate
capacitor with more than two plates. The plates are arranged alternately with a dielectric material
between them. This configuration increases the total surface area available for storing electric
charge and, consequently, the capacitance of the capacitor.
Diagram for Multi-Plate Capacitor

Geometric Factors that Affect Capacitance
Capacitance is the ability of a body to store electric charge. Anybody that can be electrically charged
exhibits capacitance. Therefor the measure of the extent to which a capacitor can store charge is
called capacitance.
Capacitance is measured in farads F, micro Farads or pico farads.
The capacitance is only a function of the physical dimensions (geometry) of the conductors and the
permittivity of the dielectric.
The three factors that determine the capacitance are derived from the equation:
 Plate Area: All other factors equal, greater plate area gives greater capacitance, and less plate
area gives less capacitance.
 Plate Spacing: All other factors equal, further plate spacing gives less capacitance. Closer plate
spacing gives more capacitance.
 Dielectric material: All other factors being equal, greater permittivity of the dielectric gives
greater capacitance. Less permittivity of the dielectric gives less capacitance.
Relationship between Capacitance and Applied Voltage
Capacitance is a property of a capacitor that measures its ability to store electrical charge when a potential
difference (voltage) is applied across its terminals.
The relationship between capacitance (C), voltage (V), and stored charge (Q) is given by the formula;
This equation indicates that the charge stored (Q) is directly proportional to the capacitance (C) and the
applied voltage (V).
This further implies the following;
When a voltage is applied across the terminals of a capacitor, it creates an electric field between the
capacitor plates.
The electric field causes charges to accumulate on the capacitor plates, resulting in the storage of
electrical energy.
The greater the applied voltage, the larger the electric field, leading to an increase in stored charge and,
consequently, capacitance.
Units for Capacitance is in farads (F).
One farad is equivalent to one coulomb of stored charge per volt of applied voltage as below;
Also, the capacitance of a capacitor is influenced by the dielectric material between its plates.
The dielectric enhances capacitance by reducing the electric field between the plates, allowing for the
storage of more charge at a given voltage.

EES Notes-2024

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CAPACITORS/CONDENSERS Handout #4

Charging a capacitor Symbol of a Capacitor

Applications/why we use Capacitors

(a) Ceramic Capacitors: Non-polarized

(b) Variable Capacitors: Can be variable or adjustable

Properties: Capacitance can be adjusted manually or electronically, Are Commonly used in

Diagram for Multi-Plate Capacitor

Capacitance is measured in farads F, micro Farads or pico farads.

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