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Capacitors, how do they work?
More specifically, I want to know how they combine, how they stack, how their values change or multiply when many are wired in series together or parallel... what is possible to achieve with a large box full of varied capacitors salvaged from big screen CRT televisions? Sorry about my ignorance, I just don't know where to find accurate and useful information, but I know there are many here who can readily educate or direct me to good information... just like I spend a lot of time trying to do for others about the many subjects I am well educated about.
My intention is to achieve 1000 uf rated at 250 volts if possible, using a multitude of lesser caps. Otherwise I need to figure out how to accurately build my own. I am not allowed to purchase anything for this project. If I spend even 1 penny I am disqualified. I got the caps by desoldering circuit boards pulled from projection televisions people were giving away. I have collected a wide variety of components and resources this way. I'm sure I can find a way to construct my Hendershot inspired junkyard invention for a non-profit charity contest. If I win, 50,000 dollars will go to fund diabetes research for a cure (charity of my choosing). Sorry, entry period has closed.
Thank you for your help.
1 Answer
- 8 years agoFavorite Answer
Capacitors add dielectric strength in series, so if you have caps of EQUAL SIZE then their voltages will divide over both equally. i.e. Two 100vdc caps in series becomes a 200vdc cap with half the capacitance of the original caps.
In parallel, the caps would have the same dielectric strength, but the capacitance will double. Capacitance adds in parallel.
Things get much more complicated when you mix and match values since the voltage drops aren't equal. It's a bit of math and if you aren't very familiar with capacitance then it gets cumbersome.
Best to use equal values in series for the aforementioned reason.
Makes no difference in parallel if the voltage ratings are different, but the least value is the maximum value for the combination. So, if you have 1000uF, 50V in parallel with 1000uF, 100V you have 2000uf, 50V.
Hope that helps you.
Source(s): 30 years engineering.