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Capacitors

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  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 187 posts
Posted by MikeyChris on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 8:12 AM

You didn't mention polarity in your question, but it is important. When connecting electrolytic caps in parallel, you must observe polarity (connect the + leads together and the - leads together). When connecting them in series, if you are connecting them in a DC circuit, the + side of one cap connects to the - side of the next cap. The "outer" + side connects to the most positive point (relative to the "outer - side). If you are connecting the series network of caps to an AC circuit, connect either both - leads together or both + leads together (doesn't matter which) in the "middle" of the network, and connect the opposite ends to the external circuit. I know this sounds confusing to someone who may not be familiar with capacitors, so please ask questions if this doesn't explain it.

BTW, if the caps are NOT electrolytics (e.g. there is no + sign on the cap) polarity is not an issue. You can hook either end of the cap to anything (making sure not to exceed the voltage rating of the cap).

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Greendale, WI
  • 108 posts
Posted by Robert Frey on Monday, March 16, 2015 3:04 PM

Wired in series: 10 uf, 35V and 10 uf, 35v is a 5 uf  70V  Capacitor

Wired in parallel; 10 uf, 35V and 10 uf, 35v is a 20 uf  35V  Capacitor

Bob Frey

Website: http://bobfrey.auclair.com

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: CA
  • 245 posts
Capacitors
Posted by bruce22 on Monday, March 16, 2015 2:28 PM

if wired in series is the capacitance the total of the two ?  Thx

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