Unit 19 Capacitors

Objectives: List three factors that determine capacitance. Discuss the electrostatic charge. Discuss polarized and nonpolarized capacitors. Compute capacitive circuit values. Compute an RC time constant.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Objectives: Explain current flow in an AC capacitive circuit. Discuss capacitive reactance. Compute values of capacitance and capacitive reactance. Discuss voltage and current phase relationships.

Unit 19 Capacitors

Plates

Dielectric

The simplest type of capacitor is made by separating two metal plates with an insulating material called the dielectric.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Area of Plates Distance between plates Area of Plates Type of Dielectric

Three factors determine the capacitance of a capacitor: 1. The surface area of the plates. 2. The distance between the plates. 3. The type of dielectric.

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Plates

Dielectric

Electrons

A capacitor is charged by removing electrons from one plate and depositing electrons on the other plate. Capacitors oppose a change of voltage.

Unit 19 Capacitors

Dielectric Electrons

Plates

Current flows until the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the battery. Current flows only during charging and discharging!

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Plates Dielectric Electrons

The capacitor remains charged until after the battery is removed from the circuit. Current flows only when there is a pathway from plate to plate!

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Positive Plate

Dielectric

Negative Plate

Leakage current of a few electrons through the dielectric will eventually discharge a capacitor.

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Positive Plate

Dielectric

Negative Plate

Electron orbits in an uncharged capacitor.

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Positive Plate

Dielectric

Negative Plate

Electron orbits are stretched in a charged capacitor.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Dielectric stress is similar to drawing back a bowstring with an arrow and holding it. This is similar to a fully charged capacitor.

Unit 19 Capacitors
CT = 110 F C1 = 20 F C2 = 30 F C3 = 60 F

Capacitors connected in parallel. CT = C1 + C2 + C3 CT = 20 + 30 + 60 = 110 F

Unit 19 Capacitors

C1 = 20 F CT = 10 F

C2 = 30 F

C3 = 60 F

Capacitors connected in series. 1/CT = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 1/CT = 1/20 + 1/30 + 1/60 CT = 10 F

Unit 19 Capacitors

Capacitors appear to pass alternating current (AC). This is due to the capacitor charging for half of the cycle and discharging for half of the cycle. This repetitive charging and discharging allows current to flow in the circuit.

Unit 19 Capacitors

Capacitors produce a counter-voltage that limits the flow of electricity. This is called capacitive reactance (XC). Capacitive reactance (XC) is measured in ohms.

Unit 19 Capacitors

The formula to calculate capacitive reactance is: (XC) = 1/(2 fC) F is frequency in hertz. C is capacitance in farads.

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz

C1 = 10 F

C2 = 30 F

C3 = 15 F

Solving a sample series capacitor circuit:

Three capacitors (10F, 30 F, and 15 F) are series connected to a 480-V, 60-Hz power source.

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz

C1 = 10 F XC1 = 265

C2 = 30 F

C3 = 15 F

First, calculate each capacitance reactance.

Remember (XC) = 1/(2 FC) and 2 F = 377 at 60 Hz.

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz

C1 = 10 F XC1 = 265

C2 = 30 F XC2 = 88

C3 = 15 F XC3 = 177

XC1 = 1/ (377 x 0.000010) = 265.25 XC2 = 1/ (377 x 0.000030) = 88.417 XC3 = 1/ (377 x 0.000015) = 176.83

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 530.5

C1 = 10 F XC1 = 265

C2 = 30 F XC2 = 88

C3 = 15 F XC3 = 177

Next, find the total capacitive reactance.

XCT = XC1 + XC2 + XC3 XCT = 265.25 + 88.417 + 176.83 = 530.497

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 530.5 IT = 0.905 A

C1 = 10 F XC1 = 265 EC1 = ?

C2 = 30 F XC2 = 88 EC2 = ?

C3 = 15 F XC3 = 177 EC3 = ?

Next, calculate the total current.

IT = ECT / XCT IT = 480 V / 530.497 = 0.905 A

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 530.5 IT = 0.905 A

C1 = 10 F XC1 = 265 I1 = .905 A EC1 = ?

C2 = 30 F XC2 = 88 I2 = .905 A EC2 = ?

C3 = 15 F XC3 = 177 I3 = .905 A EC3 = ?

Next, calculate the component voltage drops.

The total current flows through each component. EC = IT x XC

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 530.5 IT = 0.905 A

C1 = 10 F XC1 = 265 I1 = .905 A EC1 = 240 V

C2 = 30 F XC2 = 88 I2 = .905 A EC2 = 80 V

C3 = 15 F XC3 = 177 I3 = .905 A EC3 = 160 V

EC1 = .905 x 265.25 = 240.051 V EC2 = .905 x 88.417 = 80.017 V EC3 = .905 x 176.83 = 160.031 V

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 530.5 IT = 0.905 A 434 VARsCT

C1 = 10 F XC1 = 265 I1 = .905 A EC1 = 240 V ? VARsC1

C2 = 30 F XC2 = 88 I2 = .905 A EC2 = 80 V ? VARsC2

C3 = 15 F XC3 = 177 I3 = .905 A EC3 = 160 V ? VARsC3

Now the reactive power can easily be computed!

Use the Ohms law formula. VARsC = EC x IC = 480 x 0.905 = 434.4

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 480 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 530.5 IT = 0.905 A 434 VARs

C1 = 10 F XC1 = 265 I1 = .905 A EC1 = 240 V 217 VARsC1

C2 = 30 F XC2 = 88 I2 = .905 A EC2 = 80 V 72 VARsC2

C3 = 15 F XC3 = 177 I3 = .905 A EC3 = 160 V 144 VARsC3

VARsC1 = 240.051 x .905 = 217.246 VARsC2 = 80.017 x .905 = 72.415 VARsC3 = 160.031 x .905 = 144.828

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = ? V F = 60 Hz XCT = ? IT = ? A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = ? I1 = ? A EC1 = ? V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = ? I2 = ? A EC2 = ? V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = ? I3 = ? A EC3 = ? V ? VARsC3

Three capacitors (50 F, 75 F, and 20 F) are connected to a 60-Hz line. The total reactive power is 787.08 VARsC.

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = ? V F = 60 Hz XCT = ? IT = ? A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 53 I1 = ? A EC1 = ? V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = ? I2 = ? A EC2 = ? V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = ? I3 = ? A EC3 = ? V ? VARsC3

First, calculate the capacitive reactance (XC).

XC1 = 1/ 2 FC = 1/ 377 x .000050 = 53.05 XC1 = 53.05

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = ? V F = 60 Hz XCT = ? IT = ? A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = ? A EC1 = ? V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = ? A EC2 = ? V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = ? A EC3 = ? V ? VARsC3

XC2 = 1/ 2 FC = 1/ 377 x .000075 = 35.367 XC3 = 1/ 2 FC = 1/ 377 x .000020 = 132.63

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = ? V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = ? A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = ? A EC1 = ? V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = ? A EC2 = ? V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = ? A EC3 = ? V ? VARsC3

1/ XCT = 1/ XC1 + 1/ XC2 + 1/ XC3 1/ XCT = 1/ 53.05 + 1/ 35.367 + 1/ 132.63 XCT = 18.295

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = ? A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = ? A EC1 = ? V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = ? A EC2 = ? V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = ? A EC3 = ? V ? VARsC3

Now use the formula: ET = (VARsCT x XCT).

ET = (787.08 x 18.295) ET = 120 V

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = ? A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = ? A EC1 = 120 V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = ? A EC2 = 120 V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = ? A EC3 = 120 V ? VARsC3

All the voltage drops equal the source voltage.

ET = EC1 = EC2 = EC3 = 120 V

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = 6.559 A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = ? A EC1 = 120 V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = ? A EC2 = 120 V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = ? A EC3 = 120 V ? VARsC3

Next, find the current: IT = ECT / XCT.

IT = 120 / 18.295 IT = 6.559 A

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = 6.559 A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = 2.262 A EC1 = 120 V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = ? A EC2 = 120 V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = ? A EC3 = 120 V ? VARsC3

Similarly: I1 = EC1 / XC1

I1 = 120 / 53.05 I1 = 2.262 A

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = 6.559 A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = 2.262 A EC1 = 120 V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = 3.393 A EC2 = 120 V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = ? A EC3 = 120 V ? VARsC3

Similarly: I2 = EC2 / XC2

I2 = 120 / 35.367 I2 = 3.393 A

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = 6.559 A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = 2.262 A EC1 = 120 V ? VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = 3.393 A EC2 = 120 V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = 0.905 A EC3 = 120 V ? VARsC3

Similarly: I3 = EC3 / XC3

I3 = 120 / 132.63 I3 = 0.905 A

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = 6.559 A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = 2.262 A EC1 = 120 V 271 VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = 3.393 A EC2 = 120 V ? VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = 0.905 A EC3 = 120 V ? VARsC3

Reactive power for each component is computed.

VARsC1 = EC1 x IC1 VARsC1 = 120 x 2.262 = 271.442

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = 6.559 A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = 2.262 A EC1 = 120 V 271 VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = 3.393 A EC2 = 120 V 407 VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = 0.905 A EC3 = 120 V ? VARsC3

Reactive power for each component is computed.

VARsC2 = EC2 x IC2 VARsC2 = 120 x 3.393 = 407.159

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = 6.559 A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = 2.262 A EC1 = 120 V 271 VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = 3.393 A EC2 = 120 V 407 VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = 0.905 A EC3 = 120 V 109 VARsC3

Reactive power for each component is computed.

VARsC3 = EC3 x IC3 VARsC3 = 120 x 0.905 = 108.573

Unit 19 Capacitors

ET = 120 V F = 60 Hz XCT = 18 IT = 6.559 A 787 VARsC

C1 = 50 F XC1 = 132 I1 = 2.262 A EC1 = 120 V 271 VARsC1

C2 = 75 F XC2 = 35 I2 = 3.393 A EC2 = 120 V 407 VARsC2

C3 = 20 F XC3 = 132 I3 = 0.905 A EC3 = 120 V 109 VARsC3

A quick check is done by adding the individual VARs and comparing the value to the original VARs. VARsC = 271.442 + 407.129 + 108.573 = 787.174

Unit 19 Capacitors
RC Time Constants Capacitors charge and discharge at exponential rates. A curve of the charge or discharge rate is divided into five time constants. Each time constant is equal to 63.2% of the remaining voltage.

Unit 19 Capacitors
RC Time Constants The formula for determining charge time is: = R x C, where (tau) = the time for one time constant in seconds R = resistance in ohms C = capacitance in farads

Unit 19 Capacitors

Capacitors charge at an exponential rate.

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Capacitor discharge curve.

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Nonpolarized Capacitors Nonpolarized capacitors are referred to as AC capacitors. Nonpolarized capacitors can be connected to both AC and DC circuits. The paper capacitor or oil-filled capacitor is often used in motor circuits for power factor correction.

Unit 19 Capacitors

Oil-filled paper capacitor.

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Marks indicate plate nearest capacitor case.

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Polarized Capacitors Polarized capacitors are generally referred to as electrolytic capacitors. These capacitors have one terminal identified as positive or negative. Polarized capacitors are only to be used in DC circuits. Electrolytic capacitors have very high capacitance in a small case.

Unit 19 Capacitors

Wet-type electrolytic capacitor.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Capacitor Markings Capacitor ratings can be indicated by colors, numbers, or letters. The type and size of capacitors determine the markings. Capacitor and resistor color codes are similar. A color code chart is helpful in deciphering the markings.

Unit 19 Capacitors

Identification of mica and tubular capacitors.

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Color codes for ceramic capacitors.

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Dipped tantalum capacitors.

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Film-type capacitors.

Unit 19 Capacitors

Testing a capacitor for leakage.

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Testing a capacitor with an ohmmeter.

Unit 19 Capacitors

Determining the capacitance value.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Review: 1. Capacitors are devices that oppose a change of voltage. 2. Three factors that determine the capacitance of a capacitor are: a. the surface area of the plates. b. the distance between the plates. c. the type of dielectric.

Unit 19 Capacitors
3. 4. 5. 6. Review: A capacitor stores energy in an electrostatic field. Current can flow only during the time a capacitor is charging or discharging. Capacitors charge and discharge at an exponential rate. The basic unit of capacitance is the farad.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Review: 7. Capacitors are generally rated in microfarads, nanofarads, or picofarads. 8. When capacitors are connected in parallel, their capacitance values add. 9. When capacitors are connected in series, the reciprocal of the total capacitance is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of all the capacitors.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Review: 10.The charge and discharge times of a capacitor are proportional to the amount of capacitance and resistance in the circuit. 11.Five time constants are required to charge or discharge a capacitor. 12.Nonpolarized capacitors are often called AC capacitors.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Review: 13. Nonpolarized capacitors can be connected to direct or alternating current circuits. 14. Polarized capacitors are often referred to as electrolytic capacitors. 15. Polarized capacitors can only be connected to direct current circuits.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Review: 16. There are two types of electrolytic capacitors: the wet type and the dry type. 17. Wet-type electrolytic capacitors can be reformed if reconnected to the correct polarity. 18. Dry-type electrolytic capacitors will be permanently damaged if connected to the incorrect polarity.

Unit 19 Capacitors
Review: 19. Capacitors are often marked with color codes or with numbers and letters. 20. To test a capacitor for leakage, a microammeter should be connected in series with the capacitor and the rated voltage applied to the circuit.