Capacitors in Series and Parallel
Information found in Lesson 1418-1.
Basic Schematics, Formulas and
Wiring Diagrams on a Trainer
Things to Remember
• Disc type and tantalum capacitors do not
have a stated polarity. This type of
capacitor does not have a stated polarity.
–Tantalum Capacitors are sometimes
called “gum drops”. Do you know why?
• The Electrolytic Capacitors have stated
polarities.
• Placement of the capacitors closely
together on the breadboard is not as
important as maintaining a clean easy to
follow circuit.
• Make sure the capacitors are connected
correctly. This may mean using jumper
wires to make clean, easy to follow
connections and test points / posts.
Experiment 3, Capacitors
connected in Series
Formulas to Calculate
Total Series Capacitance
C
C
1
CT  2
C1 C 2
Example using the schematic values
C
.47  (.1 ) 4.7



82.456
nF
C T .47  .1 5.77
14
Reciprocal Formula
CT 
1
1

1

1
C1 C 2 C 3
... 
1
Cn
Example using the schematic values
1
1
1

0.47  0.1

1
12.127

82.456
6
9
Capacitance also can be calculated with
the following formula if you have the
value of XC.
1
C
2 f X C
Two Capacitors in Series Schematic
Wiring Diagram, Two Capacitors in Series
Two Capacitors in Parallel, Schematic
Formulas to Calculate
Total Series Capacitance
Total Capacitance in a parallel circuit can be
found by adding the parallel capacitances.
C T = C1 + C 2 + C3 … + Cn
Example using the schematic values
0.47µF + 0.1µF = 0.57µF = 570nF
Note the capacitors in this experiment
are labeled as (µF) micro Farads, but can
be stated using whole numbers as
(nF)nano Farads.
Two Capacitors in Parallel, Schematic
Wiring Diagram, Two Capacitors in Parallel
Questions?
The End
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