Basics of how capacitors are constructed and how to read measurements from markings.

1. Capacitors

2. What is a capacitor?
• An electronic component that stores energy in an electric field
• Made of 2 differentially charged metals separated by an insulator

3. What determines capacitance?
• Area of metal plates
• Type of metal
• Type and thickness of dielectric (insulator) material

10. Reading capacitor values
• 1st digit = value
• 2nd digit = value
• 3rd digit = multiplier (how many zeros)

11. What units is capacitance measured in?
not ferrets
microferrets
or picoferrets

12. What units is capacitance measured in?
• Farads are usually too large
• Usually measured in microfarads or picofarads

15. Reading capacitor values
• 1st digit = value
• 2nd digit = value
• 3rd digit = multiplier (how many zeros)
• Letters may indicate maximum voltage rating
• Letters may indicate capacitive (and temperature) tolerances
• No Uniform marking system like resistors have.

16. Capacitor Schematic Symbols