A capacitor (originally known as a condenser) is a passive two-terminal electrical component used to store energy electrostatically in an electric field. The forms of practical capacitors vary widely, but all contain at least two electrical conductors (plates) separated by a dielectric (i.e., insulator). The conductors can be thin films of metal, aluminum foil or disks, etc. The 'nonconducting' dielectric acts to increase the capacitor's charge capacity. A dielectric can be glass, ceramic, plastic film, air, paper, mica, etc. Capacitors are widely used as parts of electrical circuits in many common electrical devices. Unlike a resistor, a capacitor does not dissipate energy. Instead, a capacitor stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field between its plates.
The dielectric can be any non-conductive substance. However, for practical applications, specific materials are used that best suit the capacitor's function. Mica, ceramic, cellulose, porcelain, Mylar, Teflon and even air are some of the non-conductive materials used. The dielectric dictates what kind of capacitor it is and for what it is best suited. Depending on the size and type of dielectric, some capacitors are better for high frequency uses, while some are better for high voltage applications. Here are some of the various types of capacitors and how they are used.
- Air - Often used in radio tuning circuits
- Mylar - Most commonly used for timer circuits like clocks, alarms and counters
- Glass - Good for high voltage applications
- Ceramic - Used for high frequency purposes like antennas, X-ray and MRI machines
- Super capacitor - Powers electric and hybrid cars
Figure 1: Basic Capacitors
Capacitor Value Calculator: http://www.muzique.com/schem/caps.htm
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