NAME: Abdul-Hamid Opeoluwa Arowona

MATRIC NUMBER: 23120211035

GROUP NUMBER: 9
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: DR. NORBERT EDOMAH
DATE: Monday, March 11th, 2024.

Series Connection of Capacitors

Introduction
In a series connection of capacitors, capacitors are connected end-to-end, forming a single
pathway for the flow of charge. The total capacitance of capacitors in series is less than the
smallest individual capacitance. The total capacitance can be found with the formula:

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + +⋯
𝑪𝑻 𝑪𝟏 𝑪𝟐 𝑪𝟑

In series connection of capacitors, the same voltage is applied across each capacitor and the
total voltage across the capacitors is the sum of individual voltages. Since the charge on each
capacitor is the same, the total charge stored is distributed among the capacitors according
to their capacitance. The voltage across each capacitor is also determined by its capacitance,
with larger capacitance capacitors having lower voltages. The total capacitance in a series
connection is always less than the smallest individual capacitance.
Series capacitors are used in circuits where there's a need to reduce the overall capacitance
or to withstand higher voltages collectively.
Understanding the behaviour of capacitors in series connections is crucial for designing
circuits that require specific capacitance values or voltage distributions.

Aim
The aim of this experiment was to investigate the behaviour of capacitors connected in
series within an electrical circuit using a breadboard setup. It also aimed to measure the
total capacitance in the configuration and compare the theoretical and experimental values.
Materials:
• A set of Capacitors – 47nF, 100µF, 10nF, 100nF, 820pF, 33nF, 220µF, 47µF
• Digital LCR meter
• Bread board

Procedure
To get the theoretical values of the resistors, the capacitors were carefully examined with
the aid of a magnifying glass to identify the readings on them. The probes between each
plate of the capacitor and the terminals of the digital LCR multimeter were connected. The
meter was placed in the corresponding mode to measure the capacitance. The identified
and measured capacitance values were recorded in a table.
The capacitors were connected in series on the breadboard as shown in figure 1.0 where C1 is
a capacitor of value 100 nF and C2 is of value 220 nF. The equivalent capacitance was measured
using the digital LCR meter. The procedure was repeated with C1 and C2 values of 33nF and
10nF, 47µF and 100µF respectively.

Figure 1.0: Series combination of capacitors.

Results

Table 1. Series connection of 100nF and 220nF capacitors.

C1 C2 C1 + C2 in
series
Theoretical 100nF 220nF 68.75nF
value
Experimental 107.6nF 206nF 70.68nF
Error 0.08 0.06 0.03
(tolerance)
 Table 2. Series connection of 33nF and 10nF capacitors.

C1 C2 C1 + C2 in
series
Theoretical 33nF 10nF 7.67nF
value
Experimental 37.50nF 10.20nF 8.02nF
Error 0.14 0.02 0.04
(tolerance)

Table 3. Series connection of 47µF and 100µF capacitors.

C1 C2 C1 + C2 in
series
Theoretical 47µF 100µF 31.97µF
value
Experimental 44.20µF 91.40µF 29.79µF
Error 0.06 0.09 0.07
(tolerance)

Discussion

The primary aim of this experiment was to investigate the behaviour of capacitors connected
in series within an electrical circuit. The capacitors exhibit cumulative behaviour as
anticipated, with the total capacitance being less than any individual capacitor. The observed
behaviour of capacitors in series aligns with theoretical expectations as seen in Tables 1,2 &
3. The equivalent capacitance of the series-connected capacitors is calculated using the
reciprocal formula. The comparison between the calculated and experimental values helps
validate the theoretical approach. As seen in the tables the tolerance ranges from 0.02 –
0.14. From table 1, it is seen that the reciprocal of the total capacitance equals the sum of
the reciprocals of individual capacitances.
1 1 1
+ = 0.0141 ≡ = 0.0141
107.6 206 70.68
From the capacitors made available, the 820pF, 10nF and 33nF capacitors combined in series
will produce an effective capacitance of 0.73nF ±9%.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the conducted experiment successfully achieved its primary objectives of
investigating the behaviour of capacitors connected in series within an electrical circuit. The
comparison between theoretical calculations and experimental measurements confirmed
the validity of the analysis approach. Understanding the behaviour of capacitors in series is
essential for circuit design and analysis.

References

A. (2023, May 8). Capacitor and Capacitance - Formula, Uses, Factors Affecting
Capacitance, FAQs. BYJUS. https://byjus.com/physics/capacitor-and-capacitance/

Ling, S. J., Sanny, J., Moebs, W., & Janzen, D. (2018, November 28). 4.1 Capacitors and
Capacitance. Pressbooks. https://openpress.usask.ca/physics155/chapter/4-1-capacitors-and-
capacitance/

Bird, J. (n.d.). Electrical and electronic principles and technology. Routledge.

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, Charles K. Alexander and Matthew N.O. Sadiku