Program/Course: CONSUMER ELECTRONIC SERVICING NC II

Unit of Competency: PREPARE AND INTERPRET TECHNICAL DRAWING USED

IN ELECTRONICS

Module Title: Preparing and Interpreting Technical Drawing used in

Electronics

Learning Outcome1: Identify electronic components.

Information 1.1 Types and Function of Electronics Components
CAPACITOR
A capacitor contain two or more conducting
plates separated from each other by good insulating
material called dielectric. Other name or old name of Examples of
capacitor is condenser. Basically, capacitor is an electronics dielectric
materials:
device used to store electrical energy.
mica, paper,
The component is designed intentionally to have mylar,
a definite amount of capacitance. The symbol of capacitance electrolytic,
is capital letter “C”. This capacitance is a property that ceramic
exists whenever insulating material permits the storage of
electricity. It is measured in Farad (F) micro Farad (uF), nano Farad (nF), and picoFarad (pF).
Characteristics of Capacitor
1. It can store electric charge even though the voltage source is already disconnected.
2. It can discharge electrical voltages.
3. A capacitor blocks the flow of DC and allows AC.
Classification of Capacitor
1. Non-Polarized Capacitor
 A capacitor without positive and negative indicators on its Electronic Symbol
terminal. It can be connected any way in the circuit.
Examples: Ceramic, Mica Mylar, Some electrolytic
capacitor.
2. Polarized Capacitor
 A capacitor with positive and negative indicators on its
terminal. It must be connected the correct way round in
the circuit. Examples: Electrolytic, Tantalum
Electronic Symbol
Other Classification of Capacitor
1. Fixed Capacitor Symbol
 A capacitor with a definite or allotted
capacitance value. Example:
Electrolytic, Tantalum, Ceramic, Mica,
Mylar, Some electrolytic capacitor.
2. Variable Capacitor
  A capacitor whose capacitance can be varied. Example: Trimmer Capacitor, Tuning or
Air-core Capacitor.

Symbol

Types of Capacitors
1. Electrolytic

Made of electrolyte, basically conductive salt in solvent.

Aluminum electrodes are used by using a thin oxidation
membrane. Aluminum electrodes are used by using a thin
oxidation membrane. Most common type, polarized capacitor.
Applications Advantage
Disadvantage
Ripple filters Cheap Not very accurate
Timing circuits Readily available Marginal electrical properties
Good for storage of charge Leakage
Drifting
Not suitable for use in high
frequency(hf) circuits
Remember:
It will explode if the rated voltage is exceeded or polarity is reversed, so be careful.

2. Ceramic
Constructed with materials such as f
or dielectric. They are shape like a disk. It is a non polar capacitor.
Applications Advantage Disadvantage
Bypass high frequency Cheap Subject to drifting depending
Signals to ground Readily available ambient temperature
Reliable
3. Mylar or Polyester film
It uses thin polyester film for dielectric. It is a non-polar capacitor.
Applications
 Circuits where the capacitor needs to handle high peak current levels
 General coupling and decoupling applications and DC blocking
 Filtering, where high tolerance levels are not required
 Audio applications
 Power supplies where the very high capacitance levels of electrolytic capacitors are not
needed
Advantage Tolerance is approximately 5% to 10%
Cheap Temperature stable
Readily available Temperature stable

4. Tantalum
 Made of Tantalum Pentoxide. It is an electrolytic capacitor but used with a
material called tantalum for electrodes. Tantalum are polarized so watch the ‘+’ and ‘-’
indicators.

Applications
 Used in analog signal systems because of the lack of current- spike-noise.
 Small size fits anywhere
 Most common values readily available
 Reliable
Disadvantage
 Expensive
 Easily damaged by spikes
 Large values exist but may be hard to obtain

5. Super Capacitor

Supercap or Ultracapacitor technology that can be used the

most widely adopted that is known as the double-layer capacitor, DLC.
This form of the technology is carbon-based and it has an organic
electrolyte that is easy to manufacture. Supercap or Ultracapacitor is also
polarized so exercise caution in regards to breakdown voltage.
Care must be taken when using this capacitor. Without
precautions, it would destroy part of a power supply such as the bridge
rectifier or regulator

Applications

Use in memory battery back-up

Used in UPS, Uninterruptible Power Supply systems
Used in tandem with a complementary power source

6. Metalized Polyester Film

The dielectric is made of Metal Oxide. Good quality, low drift,

temperature stable. The electrodes are thin, so they can be very small. A
good all around capacitor.

7. Silver Mica
Mica is used as a dielectric.

Applications Advantage Disadvantage

Used in resonance circuit Highly stable No large values

Frequency filters Good temperature coefficient Expensive
RF Oscillators Excellent for endurance
Coupling and Decoupling
8. Adjustable capacitor
 Also called trimmer capacitor or variable capacitor. It uses ceramic or plastic as a
dielectric. Most of them are color coded to easily recognize their tunable size. The ceramic type
has the value printed on them. Colors are: Yellow(5pf), Blue(6pf), White(10pf), Green(30pf),
Brown(60pf).

9. Tuning or Air-core Capacitor

It used the surrounding air as a dielectric. This usually have

more (air) capacitors combined(ganged). When the axel is turned, the
capacitance of all of them changes simultaneously. Mostly used in radio
as tuning device.

Application of Capacitor

1. Blocking 6. Timing
2. Coupling 7. Transient Voltage Suppression
3. Decoupling 8. Energy Storage
4. Bypassing 9. Arc Suppression
5. Frequency Discrimination 10. Power Factor Correction

Capacitor Reading

Electrolytic Capacitor

3The
zeros
positive(+) lead is usually longer than
the negative(-) one.

Mylar Capacitor
Ceramic Capacitor

Capacitor Connection

Capacitor in Series

+ Be careful with the capacitor

connection
C1 10 µF From + to – or – to + series
-
Ct
+ How to get the total capacitance in series?
C2 100 µF
-

From the example

 Remember:
If the capacitor are in series, the possible value is less
the smallest value of the series capacitors.

1 10 Note:
0 0 In the series capacitance connection, the rated voltage of
9.09 each capacitor will add to the voltage ratings of the total
µF capacitance. For instance, if each capacitor ( from the
example) has a rating of 16 volts, the total voltage will
be 32 volts.

Capacitor in Series with the same capacitance value

How to get the total capacitance
in series with the same value?
Ct

For two capacitor

Ct = C/2
For three capacitor
Ct = C/3
C2

C1
C3 100 µF

For more than three capacitor

Ct = C/n
-
+

+
-

-
100 µF
100 µF

Where:

C = capacitors (equal value)

n = number of capacitor

Ct = Total capacitance
Examples: If more than three capacitor
Given: Example:
Two capacitor Three capacitor Five Capacitor
C = 100 µF C = 100 µF C = 100 µF
Ct = C/2 Ct = C/3 Ct = C/n
Ct = 100/2 Ct = 100/3 Ct = 100/5
Ct = 50 µF Ct = 33.33 µF Ct = 20 µF

Capacitor in Parallel

+ + Be careful with the capacitor connection

Ct C 10 µF C 100 From + to + and - to - parallel
- -
1 2 µF How to get the total capacitance in parallel?
Parallel Capacitances
From the example Ct = C1 + C2 + ……
Ct = C1 + C2
Ct = 10 + 100
Ct = 110 µF

Capacitor Troubles
1. Open
 The capacitor shows no further charging action but just reads very high or infinite(∞)
resistance.

2. Short
 The ohmmeter reading immediately goes to zero and stay there.

3. Leaky
 The capacitor shows charging, but the final resistance reading is appreciably less than
normal.
Testing Capacitors with an Ohmmeter VOM or Multi-tester
Procedures in testing a capacitor
1. Discharge the energy stored on the capacitor. Do not discharge large value capacitor with
your screwdriver or pliers.
Charging and Discahging a Capacitor
2. Set the multi-tester to ohmmeter range.

Suggested Value Ohmmeter Range

0.01µF to 1µF R – X10K

1µF to 47µF R – X1K
47µF to 1000µF R – X10
1000µF and above R – X1

3. Connect the positive probe to the capacitor

negative lead and the negative probe to positive
lead.
Good Capacitor
A good capacitor, the pointer will deflect, and then
move back to it’s original position.

Defective capacitor
1. OPEN – the tester pointer won’t deflect at all. 2. SHORTED – the tester pointer will rest
on the zero ohm scale.

3. LEAKY – the tester pointer deflect

toward the right position but does
not return to it’s initial position or
remain stationary.
Self Check
I. Direction: Identify the following.
1. It is an electronics device that stores electrons.
2. A capacitor shape like a disk.
3. A capacitor dielectric made of metal oxide.
4. The unit of capacitance.
5. What are the troubles of capacitor?
6. What will happen to the capacitance of the total capacitor if it is connected in series?
7. A type of capacitor that has polarity and commonly used as filter.
8. A type of capacitor used in tuning circuit.
9. What is the resistance reading of a shorted capacitor?
10. It is a property that exists whenever insulating material permits the storage of electricity.
11. An insulating material used in capacitor.
12. What is the old name of capacitor?
13. The type of capacitor that has polarity.
14. What are the two primary causes of electrolytic capacitors exploding?
15. A capacitor that adopted the double layer capacitor.
16. Give at seven application of capacitor.