A capacitor is a device that stores electrons and is made up of two conductors separated by an insulator. Capacitors come in different sizes, shapes, and models and can store varying amounts of charge depending on their design. There are several types of capacitors including non-polarized capacitors that can be connected either way in a circuit, polarized capacitors that must be connected correctly, variable capacitors whose capacitance can be adjusted, and trimmer capacitors designed to be set during circuit assembly.

3. Topic Outline What is a Capacitor? Types of Capacitor

4. What is a Capacitor?

5. A device that stores electrons. The basic capacitor is made up of two conductors separated by an insulator or dielectric. NEXT

6. Depending on how the capacitor is built, the dielectric can be made of paper, plastic, mica, ceramic, glass, a vacuum or any other such non conductive material. NEXT back

7. Capacitor come in variety of sizes, shapes, models, or if you so desire they can be manufactured by your specifications. NEXT back

8. The value of a capacitor can vary from a fraction of a pico-Farad to more than a micro Farad. Voltage levels can range from a couple to a substantial couple of hundred thousand volts Next back

9. Types of Capacitor

10. Non-polarized Capacitor Polarized Capacitor Variable Capacitor Trimmer Capacitor

11. Non-Polarized Capacitor

12. Type of capacitor that can be connected any way in a circuit. There is no positive or negative. Common types of non-polar capacitors are ceramic, mica and some electrolytic. Next

13. A capacitor is used with a resistor in a timing circuit. It can also be used as a filter, to block DC signals but pass AC signals. Next back

14. Polarized Capacitor

15. A capacitor stores electric charge. This type must be connected the correct way round. A capacitor is used with a resistor in a timing circuit. It can also be used as a filter, to block DC signals but pass AC signals. Next

16. Variable Capacitor

17. A capacitor whose capacitance can be varied. These are usually made up of one or more moving plates and one or more non moving plates separated by the dielectric. By moving the plates, we can vary the capacitance. And it is used in a radio tuner. Next

18. Trimmer Capacitor

19. This type of variable capacitor is operated with a small screwdriver or similar tool. It is designed to be set when the circuit is made and then left without further adjustment Next