Capacitor (or a condenser) is the irreplaceable device of the circuit made out of two metal foils with the dielectric material between them that serves as an insulator. Its main characteristic is Capacitance, which is measured in Farads.
Let’s look through the main capacitors classifications.
According to the state of capacitor’s dielectric, they can be solid, liquid and gas or they can combine these states.
Electrolytic capacitors usually exist in two basic types: aluminum and tantalum capacitors. The last one has a very high capacity density and is widely used in electronics.
All of the types mentioned above can further be divided on ac capacitors (alternating-current) and dc capacitors (direct current). The first type is usually used with motors that have specific voltage ranges and horsepower. They can be single or dual and also go of different sizes.
Buying one of this kind, make sure that its voltage and horsepower range coincides with those of the motor’s unit and can work with it. Dc capacitor is usually called blocking because of the function that it performs in the circuit.
Depending on regulation of the capacitance, condenser can be variable, fixed and adjustable.
Besides this, all the capacitors can be of general and special purpose, as for example a doorknob capacitor. Capacitors of general purpose are used in most apparatuses, have low voltage and don’t require special characteristics for use. All the rest are special-purposed. They are high-voltage, pulse, dosimetric and other condensers.
Where capacitors are used and for what?
Capacitors are applied in all the kinds of electronics depending on their characteristics, form, size and sphere of use. The main functions of any capacitor are storing the charge or energy and releasing it when it is necessary; resisting any change of voltage, thus, reducing it and its negative effect; signal’s blocking or coupling and flux capacitor many others.
