Introduction to

Capacitors
Capacitors are fundamental electronic components that store electrical
charge. They are widely used in a variety of electronic circuits, from power
supplies to audio equipment, due to their ability to filter, decouple, and time
signals.

by ADITYA MISHRA
Energy Storage

1 Charging
Capacitors can be charged by applying a voltage, causing them to store
electrical energy.

2 Discharging
When the voltage is removed, the capacitor releases the stored energy, which
can be used to power other components.

3 Repeated Cycling
Capacitors can be charged and discharged repeatedly, making them useful for
energy storage and pulsed power applications.
Filtering and Decoupling
Filtering
Capacitors can be used to filter
out unwanted AC signals, such
as noise or ripple, from a DC
power supply.
Decoupling
Capacitors can decouple high-
frequency signals from low-
frequency signals, preventing
interference between different
parts of a circuit.
Bypassing
Capacitors can bypass AC
signals to ground, effectively
removing them from a circuit
and improving its performance.
Timing and Oscillation

1 Timing Circuits
Capacitors can be used in timing circuits, such as those found in clocks and
timers, to control the duration of events.

2 Oscillators
Capacitors, combined with other components, can create oscillating signals,
which are essential for many electronic devices, including radios and computers.

3 Delay Circuits
Capacitors can be used to create delay circuits, which are useful for controlling
the timing of events in electronic systems.
Surge Protection
Transient
Suppression
Capacitors can be used to
absorb and dissipate high-
voltage transients, protecting
sensitive electronic
components from damage.
EMI/RFI Filtering
Capacitors can filter out
electromagnetic interference
(EMI) and radio frequency
interference (RFI), improving
the reliability of electronic
systems.
Lightning
Protection
Capacitors can be used in
lightning protection circuits,
helping to divert high-
voltage surges to ground and
safeguarding equipment.
Inrush Current Limiting
Power Supply
Protection
Capacitors can limit the initial
inrush of current when a power
supply is turned on, preventing
damage to sensitive components.
Motor Starting
Capacitors can be used to limit
the high starting currents of
electric motors, allowing for
smoother and more efficient
operation.
LED Driving
Capacitors can be used to control
the inrush current when
powering LED-based lighting,
preventing damage to the LEDs.
Power Factor Correction
1 2 3

Reactive Power Energy Efficiency Compliance

Capacitors can be used to
compensate for the reactive
power in AC circuits, improving
the overall power factor.
By improving power factor,
capacitors can increase the
efficiency of electrical systems,
reducing energy costs and
environmental impact.
Power factor correction with
capacitors is often required by
utility companies and building
codes to ensure efficient
electrical system operation.
Conclusion
1 Versatile 2 Crucial for
Components
Capacitors are versatile
electronic components
with a wide range of
applications in modern
electronics.
3 Continuous
Performance Innovation
Capacitors play a crucial As technology advances,
role in filtering, timing, and new capacitor
power management, technologies and
ensuring the reliable and applications are being
efficient operation of developed, further
electronic systems. expanding the impact of
these essential
components.