What is Capacitor? Types, Applications

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What is a Capacitor?

A capacitor is a passive element, which uses in both electrical and electronic circuits.
A capacitor is an element that can store charge. The function of a capacitor is to charge and discharge a few times. Let's what is inside a capacitor and how it works.

A capacitor has two metallic plates. And there is a dielectric material between the two plates. When the capacitor is connected to a voltage source, an electric field is created. positive charges are collected by one plate and negative charges are collected by another plate. So a capacitor store charge by creating an electric field. when a capacitor collects charge is called charging and when the capacitor releases the charge is called discharging.

The amount of electrical energy stored by the capacitor is called capacitance of that capacitor. The unit of capacitance is Farads(F).
If the capacitance is C, the applied voltage is V, and the charge is Q then
                                                          C=Q/V

Common Types of Capacitors

Remember that there are numerous types of capacitors available according to properties, design, applications, etc. So, here we have given the list of the most usable and important capacitor types.

1. Ceramic capacitor
2. Electrolytic capacitor
3. Polystyrene Film Capacitor
4. Polycarbonate capacitor
5. Polypropylene Capacitor
6. Glass capacitors
7. Supercapacitor
8. Silver Mica Capacitor
9. Tantalum capacitor
10. Metallised Polyester Film Capacitor

Application of Different Types of Capacitors

Here, you can see the applications of different types of capacitors along with their special features and Properties.

Capacitor Type	Special Features & Properties	Common Applications
Ceramic Capacitor	Small size, high capacitance values	General-purpose, decoupling, high-frequency use
Electrolytic Capacitor	High capacitance values, polarized	Power supply filtering, audio amplification
Polystyrene Film Capacitor	Low dielectric losses, low-temperature coefficient	Precision audio, radio, and analog circuits
Polycarbonate Capacitor	High voltage ratings, low dielectric absorption	Timing circuits, audio amplification
Polypropylene Capacitor	Low dielectric losses, high stability	High-frequency applications, audio circuits
Glass Capacitors	High voltage ratings, excellent stability	RF applications, high-voltage power supplies
Supercapacitor	High energy density, quick charge/discharge	Energy storage, backup power systems
Silver Mica Capacitor	High accuracy, low tolerance	Oscillators, timing circuits, precision filters
Tantalum Capacitor	High capacitance per volume, stable	Power supplies, audio circuits
Metallized Polyester Film Capacitor	Self-healing properties, compact size	General-purpose applications, coupling, and bypass
Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor	High capacitance values, polarized	Power supply filtering, audio amplification
Film/Foil Capacitor	High voltage ratings, low dielectric absorption	Power electronics, motor drives
Niobium Oxide Capacitor	Stable capacitance over temperature and frequency	Audio circuits, decoupling applications
Solid Tantalum Capacitor	High volumetric efficiency, low ESR	Consumer electronics, telecommunication
Aluminum Organic Polymer Capacitor	High capacitance, low ESR, low leakage	Portable electronics, power management
Film/Chip Capacitor	Compact size, high capacitance values	Integrated circuits, surface mount devices
Ceramic Multilayer Capacitor	High capacitance density, a wide range of values	Power supplies, bypass, and coupling
Variable Capacitor	Adjustable capacitance value	Radio tuning circuits, variable filters
Paper and Oil Capacitor	High voltage handling, excellent audio characteristics	Audio amplification, radio equipment
Electrolytic Tantalum Capacitor	High capacitance per volume, low profile, polarized	Portable electronics, telecommunications
Film/Foil Polyester Capacitor	High insulation resistance, self-healing properties	Coupling, decoupling, timing circuits
Ceramic Disc Capacitor	Low cost, a wide range of capacitance values	General-purpose applications, coupling, bypassing
Aluminum Solid Capacitor	Long operational life, high-temperature tolerance	Power supplies, industrial equipment
Electrolytic Polymer Capacitor	Low ESR, high capacitance, long life	Power electronics, audio equipment
Silver Tantalum Oxide Capacitor	Stable capacitance over temperature, low leakage	Military and aerospace applications
Suppression Capacitor	High voltage withstand, noise suppression	Filtering electrical noise, EMI/RFI suppression
Film/Foil Polycarbonate Capacitor	Low dielectric absorption, stable capacitance	Precision timing circuits, audio applications
Metallized Paper Capacitor	Self-healing properties, high voltage handling	Audio applications, coupling, filtering
Vacuum Capacitor	High voltage handling, low dielectric loss	RF applications broadcast transmitters
Conductive Polymer Capacitor	Low ESR, high ripple current handling, long operational life	Power supplies, telecommunications
Variable Trimmer Capacitor	Adjustable capacitance value for fine-tuning	Radio tuning circuits, variable filters
Hybrid Capacitor	Combines properties of different capacitor types	Power electronics, audio equipment
Aluminum Nitride Capacitor	High thermal conductivity, low dielectric loss	High-power applications, thermal management
Solid Polymer Aluminum Capacitor	Low ESR, long operational life	Power supplies, telecommunications
Silver Electrolytic Capacitor	Low ESR, high ripple current handling	Audio amplification, power electronics
Superfilm Capacitor	High voltage ratings, low leakage current	High-voltage power supplies, industrial equipment
Variable Vacuum Capacitor	Adjustable capacitance for high-voltage applications	Broadcast transmitters, RF amplifiers
Oil-Filled Capacitor	High energy storage, excellent voltage withstand	Power factor correction, energy storage systems
Diamond-like Carbon Capacitor	High breakdown voltage, low dielectric absorption	High-voltage applications, pulsed power systems
Metalized Ceramic Capacitor	Stable capacitance over temperature, high reliability	Automotive electronics, power distribution

Read Also:

• What is Resistor?
• What is Inductor?

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