What is Capacitor in Electronics? – Types | New Topic [2024]

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Author Name: Arun Paul.

What is Capacitor in Electronics?

A Capacitor is a passive electronic component that retains electrical energy within an electric field. It consists of two conducting plates separated by an insulating substance known as the dielectric. When a voltage is placed across the plates, an electric field is formed, which causes positive charge to collect on one plate and negative charge on the other. This mechanism permits the capacitor to store energy, which can then be released as needed.

Types of Capacitors

There are various types of capacitors which are listed below –

• Ceramic Capacitors: They are small, affordable, and commonly used for a variety of purposes.
• Electrolytic Capacitors: These feature a higher capacitance per unit volume than other varieties and are often utilized in power supply circuits. They have polarity, which means they must be properly connected in a circuit.
• Film Capacitors: They are made of thin plastic films and utilized in applications that require great stability and low inductance.
• Supercapacitors: They are also known as ultracapacitors. They have exceptionally high capacitance values and are utilized for energy storage in applications such as backup power and regenerative braking systems.

Applications of Capacitor

Here are some applications of capacitor –

• Used in power supplies to moderate voltage fluctuations.
• Used in circuits that require precise timing, such as oscillators and timers.
• Noise is filtered out using both analog and digital circuitry.
• In audio and radio frequency circuits, capacitors are employed to tune and filter signals.