A capacitor is a basic electronic component that stores electrical energy for a short time and
then releases it when needed. Think of it like a tiny rechargeable bucket for electricity. A battery
stores a lot of energy for a long time. A capacitor stores a small amount of energy, but it can
charge and discharge very fast.
At its core, a capacitor has two metal plates separated by an insulating material called a
dielectric. When voltage is applied, electric charge builds up on the plates. When the power is
removed, that stored charge flows back into the circuit.
Why capacitors are useful: They smooth power supply noise, block DC but allow AC, help with
timing, store backup energy, and protect circuits from sudden voltage spikes.
Now let’s talk about types of capacitors, from simple to spicy.
---
1. Ceramic Capacitors
These are the small, disk-shaped or tiny rectangular ones you see everywhere.
They use ceramic material as the dielectric.
They are non-polarized, meaning you can connect them in any direction.
Key features: They are small, cheap, fast, and reliable.
They usually have low capacitance values (pF to µF range).
Common uses: Noise filtering, decoupling, bypassing in digital and analog circuits.
If electronics had background actors, ceramic capacitors would be everywhere, quietly doing
their job.
---
2. Electrolytic Capacitors
These are the tall cylindrical ones, usually blue or black.
They use a liquid or gel electrolyte and are polarized, meaning + and – terminals matter.
Connect them the wrong way and they will not be happy.
Key features: High capacitance values (µF to thousands of µF).
Larger size compared to ceramics.
then releases it when needed. Think of it like a tiny rechargeable bucket for electricity. A battery
stores a lot of energy for a long time. A capacitor stores a small amount of energy, but it can
charge and discharge very fast.
At its core, a capacitor has two metal plates separated by an insulating material called a
dielectric. When voltage is applied, electric charge builds up on the plates. When the power is
removed, that stored charge flows back into the circuit.
Why capacitors are useful: They smooth power supply noise, block DC but allow AC, help with
timing, store backup energy, and protect circuits from sudden voltage spikes.
Now let’s talk about types of capacitors, from simple to spicy.
---
1. Ceramic Capacitors
These are the small, disk-shaped or tiny rectangular ones you see everywhere.
They use ceramic material as the dielectric.
They are non-polarized, meaning you can connect them in any direction.
Key features: They are small, cheap, fast, and reliable.
They usually have low capacitance values (pF to µF range).
Common uses: Noise filtering, decoupling, bypassing in digital and analog circuits.
If electronics had background actors, ceramic capacitors would be everywhere, quietly doing
their job.
---
2. Electrolytic Capacitors
These are the tall cylindrical ones, usually blue or black.
They use a liquid or gel electrolyte and are polarized, meaning + and – terminals matter.
Connect them the wrong way and they will not be happy.
Key features: High capacitance values (µF to thousands of µF).
Larger size compared to ceramics.
