CAPACITORS AND

INDUCTORS
 Summary
The Capacitor
Capacitors are one of the fundamental passive linear circuit
components. It is composed of two conducting plates separated
by a dielectric (insulator).
Capacitors stores energy in its electric field where can be
retrieved later. The ability to store charge is the definition of
capacitance.

Conductors Dielectric
Capacitance
 Capacitance, also known as "capacity", refers to the amount of charge stored at
a given potential difference, denoted as C, unit is Farad (F).
 Generally , the electric charge, Q moves in the electric field.
 When there is a medium (insulators) between the conductors, the electric
charge is hindered and the electric charge accumulates on the conductor, causing
the accumulated storage of the electric charge.
 The stored electric charge amount is called a capacitance.
 Capacitors are one of the most widely used electronic components in electronic
devices.
 Charing Process
The Capacitor
VVSS Dielec tric
The charging ++ −
−+++ −−
process… Leads +++− +−+
−+++ −−− Plates
++ −
Charging +++
−
+−
+
Initially uncharged − − −++ − − −
−
+−
+
− ++ −
++ −+ − Elec trons
−
Fully charged −+− −−
+ −
− + + −− B
+− −
Source removed AA +
A BB
− − − + − − − −

A capacitor with stored charge can act as a temporary battery.

The electric fields and magnetic fields considered up to now have been produced by
stationary charges and moving charges (currents), respectively.
 Capacitance

❑ Besides resistors, capacitors are the most common electrical components.

❑ Capacitors are used extensively in electronics, communications, computers,
and power systems.
❑ It is used to store energy in the form of an electrostatic field between its
plates in an electrical circuit.
❑ It can perform different types of functions in a circuit i.e., blocking DC
current but allow AC current to pass; smooth the output from a power
supply; to stabilize voltage and power flow in an electric power
transmission systems etc.
Capacitance
Capacitance
Capacitance is the ratio of charge to voltage
Q
C=
V
Rearranging, the amount of charge on a
capacitor is determined by the size of the
capacitor (C) and the voltage (V).
Q = CV

If a 22mF capacitor is connected to a

10 V source, the charge is 220 mC
Capacitance
A capacitor stores energy in the form of an electric field
that is established by the opposite charges on the two
plates. The energy of a charged capacitor is given by the
equation
1
W = CV 2
2

Where:
W = the energy in joules
C = the capacitance in farads
V = the voltage in volts
Capacitance

1
W = CV 2
2

where
W = the energy in joules
 Summary
Capacitance

The capacitance of a capacitor:

, 8.854𝑥10−12
 Summary
Capacitance
Find the capacitance of a 4.0 cm diameter sensor
immersed in oil if the plates are separated by 0.25
mm. (  r = 4.0 for oil )

 A
C = 8.85  10 −12 F/m  r 
 d 
2 2
(
The plate area is A = πr =  0.02 m = 1.26 10 m
−3 2
)
The distance between the plates is 0.25 10−3 m
 ( 4.0 ) (1.26 10−3 m 2 ) 
C = 8.85 10 −12
F/m   = 178 pF
 0.25 10−3 m 
 
Relative Permittivity, 𝜀𝑟 for Different Materials
CAPACITOR IN
SERIES
 Summary
Series capacitors
We now obtain CT of N capacitors connected in series by
comparing the circuit in Fig. 6.15(a) with the equivalent circuit in
Fig. 6.15(b). Note that the same current i flows (and consequently
the same charge) through the capacitors.

1
CT =
1 1 1 1
+ + + ... +
C1 C2 C3 CT
 Summary
Series capacitors

1
CT =
The total capacitance of two capacitors is 1 1
+
C1 C2

…or you can use the product-over-sum rule

 Summary
Series capacitors

If a 0.001 mF capacitor is connected

in series with an 800 pF capacitor,
the total capacitance is 444 pF

C1 C2

0.001 µF 800 pF
 Summary
Capacitive Voltage Divider

To find voltage for capacitors in series, use capacitive

voltage divider method:

Example: Find voltage across C1 for the circuit in

figure below if it is connected to a supply Vs = 10 V
C1 C2

0.001 µF 800 pF
Charge in Series Capacitors, Q

 Q is the same for capacitors in series.

C1 C2

0.001 µF 800 pF

QT = Q1 = Q2 = C1V1 = C2V2
Use : QT = CTVs
Exercise:
1
CT =
Determine the total capacitance of the circuit below: 1
+
1
+
1
+ ... +
1
C1 C2 C3 CT
1. 3.

2.
Exercise: 1
CT =
1 1 1 1
1. Determine: + + + ... +
C1 C2 C3 CT
(a) The total capacitance
(b) The voltage across each capacitor
(c) Energy stored in C1 and C2

Use : QT = CTVs
Remember QT=Q1=Q2=Q3

Ans: CT = 0.06 µF, V1=15V, V2 = 3.19V, V3 = 6.82V

2. Determine:
(a) The total capacitance
(b) The voltage across each capacitor
(c) Energy stored in C1 and C2
END
CAPACITOR IN
PARALLEL
 Summary
Parallel capacitors
When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total
capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitors.
The general equation for capacitors in parallel is
CT = C1 + C2 + C3 + ...Cn

If a 0.001 mF capacitor is
C1 C2
connected in parallel with
an 800 pF capacitor, the 0.001 µF 800 pF
total capacitance is 1800 pF
Charge in Parallel Capacitors, Q

 In paralle, the total Q is the sum of Q of each capacitors in the circuit.

C1 C2
0.001 µF 800 pF

QT = Q1 + Q2
 V

V
V
V
Exercise:
1. By referring to figure below, calculate the:
(a)Total capacitance
(b)Total charge stored by the capacitors
(c) Voltage across each capacitor
(d)Charge on each capacitor
v1 = v2 = vs

q1 = C1v1

q2 = C2v2
Exercise:
2. By referring to figure below, given Vs = 10V,
calculate the:
(a)Total capacitance
(b)Total charge stored by the capacitors
(c) Voltage across each capacitor
(d)Charge on each capacitor
 Capacitors in AC Circuits
Capacitive reactance

Capacitive reactance is the opposition to ac

current flow by a capacitor. The equation for
capacitive reactance is
1
XC =
2πfC

The reactance of a 0.047 mF capacitor when a

frequency of 15 kHz is applied is 226 W
Reactance (Ω) for series capacitors:

Reactance (Ω) for parallel capacitors:

Exercise:

Calculate the total capacitive reactance of each of the circuit

in figure below. (Ans:3.65kΩ, 408 Ω)
END
INDUCTORS
Capacitor Vs Inductor
Capacitor Vs Inductor
- An inductor is a coil of wire.
- When current flows through it, a three-dimensional
electromagnetic field is created, surrounding the coil in all
directions.
- Inductors resist or oppose changes of currents.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSylo01n5FY
 Summary
Inductance
Inductance is the property of a conductor to oppose
a change in current. The effect of inductance is
greatly magnified by winding a coil on a magnetic
material.
Common symbols for inductors (coils) are
 Summary
Self Inductance
Self-inductance is usually just called inductance,
symbolized by L. Self-inductance is a measure of a coil’s
ability to establish an induced voltage as a result of a
change in its current. The induced voltage always opposes
the change in current, which is basically a statement of
Lenz’s law.

The unit of inductance is the henry (H). One henry is the

inductance of a coil when a current, changing at a rate of
one ampere per second, induces one volt across the coil.
 Summary
Self Inductance
di
The induced voltage is given by the formula vind =L
dt
What is the inductance if 37 mV is induced
across a coil if the current is changing at a rate of
680 mA/s?
di
vind = L
dt
Rearranging,
vind 0.037 V
L= = = 54 mH
di 0.68 A/s
dt
 Summary
Factors affecting inductance
Four factors affect the amount of inductance for a
coil. The equation for the inductance of a coil is
N 2m A
L=
l
where
L = inductance in henries
N = number of turns of wire
m = permeability in H/m (same as Wb/At-m)
l = coil length on meters
Energy stored, W = 0.5LI2
 Summary

What is the inductance of a 2 cm long, 150

turn coil wrapped on an low carbon steel core that
is 0.5 cm diameter? The permeability of low
carbon steel is 2.5 x10−4 H/m (Wb/At-m).

A = πr 2 = π ( 0.0025 m ) =1.96
= 7.85 10−5 m2
2

N 2m A
L=
l

=
(150 t )
2
( 2.5 10 −4
Wb/At-m )((7.85
1.96 x 10 m )
−5 2

0.02 m
= 22
5.522
mHmH
Exercise:

Determine the inductance of the coil in figure below. The

permeability of the core is 0.25 x 10-3 H/m.

Ans: 40 mH
 Summary
Lenz’s law
Lenz’s law states,
When the current through a coil changes, an
induced voltage is created across the coil that
always opposes the change in current.

In a practical circuit, the current can change

because of a change in the load as shown in
the following circuit example...
 Summary
Lenz’s law
A basic circuit to demonstrate Lenz’s law is shown.
Initially, the SW is open and there is a small
current in the circuit through L and R1.
L
SW

+
VS R1 R2
−
− +
 Summary
Lenz’s law

SW closes and immediately a voltage appears

across L that tends to oppose any change in current.

L
SW
+ −

+
VS R1 R2
−
− +
Initially, the meter
reads same current
as before the switch
was closed.
 Summary
Lenz’s law

After a time, the current stabilizes at a higher level

(due to I2) as the voltage decays across the coil.
L
SW

+
VS R1 R2
−

− +
Later, the meter
reads a higher
current because of
the load change.
 Summary
Practical inductors
Inductors come in a variety of sizes. A few
common ones are shown here.

Encapsulated Torroid coil Variable

 Summary
Series inductors
When inductors are connected in series, the total
inductance is the sum of the individual inductors.
The general equation for inductors in series is
LT = L1 + L2 + L3 + ...Ln

If a 1.5 mH inductor is L1 L2
connected in series with
an 680 mH inductor, the 1.5 mH 680 mH
total inductance is 2.18 mH
Exercise:

Determine the total inductance for each of the series

connections in figure below:
 Summary
Parallel inductors
When inductors are connected in parallel, the total
inductance is smaller than the smallest one. The
general equation for inductors in parallel is
1
LT =
1 1 1 1
+ + + ... +
L1 L2 L3 LT

The total inductance of two inductors is

1
LT =
1 1
+
L1 L2

…or you can use the product-over-sum rule.

 Summary
Parallel inductors

If a 1.5 mH inductor is connected in

parallel with an 680 mH inductor,
the total inductance is 468 mH

L1 L2
1.5 mH 680 mH
Exercise:

Determine LT in figure below:

(Ans: 1.25 mH)

 Inductors in AC Circuits
Inductive reactance

Inductive reactance is the opposition to

ac by an inductor. The equation for
inductive reactance is
X L = 2πfL

The reactance of a 33 mH inductor when a

frequency of 550 kHz is applied is 114 W
 Summary
Reactance (Ω) for Series and Parallel Inductors

The total reactance for series inductors:

The total reactance for parallel inductors:

Exercise:

For the circuit of figure below, calculate the total inductive

reactance.

(Ans: 9.3kΩ, 2.15kΩ)

Example:

Determine the rms current for the circuit in figure below:

Solution:
 Power in an inductor
True Power: Ideally, inductors do not dissipate power.
However, a small amount of power is dissipated in winding
resistance given by the equation:
Ptrue = (Irms)2RW
where Rw = winding resistance
Reactive Power: Reactive power is a measure of the rate at
which the inductor stores and returns energy. One form of the
reactive power equation is:
Pr=VrmsIrms = (Vrms)2/XL = = (Irms)2XL
The unit for reactive power is the VAR. (Volt-Ampere reactive)
Exercise

 A 10Vrms signal with a frequency of 1kHz is applied to a

10mH coil with a negligible winding resistance.
Determine the
 (a) Inductive reactance, XL (Ans: 62.8 Ω)
 (b) Irms (Ans: 159 mA)
 (c) Reactive power, Pr (Ans: 1.59 VAR)