Series Capacitor Calculator

Series Capacitor Equation:

\[ \frac{1}{C_{eq}} = \sum \frac{1}{C_i} \]

Equivalent Capacitance (C_eq):

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1. What is Series Capacitor Connection?

In a series connection, capacitors are connected end-to-end. The same charge accumulates on each capacitor, but the voltage divides across them. The total capacitance is less than any individual capacitor in the series.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the series capacitor equation:

\[ \frac{1}{C_{eq}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \cdots + \frac{1}{C_n} \]

Where:

\( C_{eq} \) — Equivalent capacitance (F)
\( C_1, C_2, \ldots, C_n \) — Individual capacitor values (F)

Explanation: The reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance equals the sum of reciprocals of individual capacitances.

3. Importance of Series Capacitance Calculation

Details: Calculating equivalent series capacitance is essential for circuit design, energy storage calculations, and understanding voltage distribution in capacitive circuits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter capacitor values in farads (F), separated by commas. For microfarads (μF), multiply by 10^-6 (e.g., 100μF = 0.0001F).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does series capacitance decrease?
A: The effective plate separation increases in series connection, reducing overall capacitance.

Q2: What happens to voltage in series capacitors?
A: The total voltage divides inversely proportional to capacitance values (V₁/V₂ = C₂/C₁).

Q3: Can I mix different capacitor values in series?
A: Yes, but the smallest capacitor will dominate the overall capacitance.

Q4: What's the difference between series and parallel capacitors?
A: Parallel capacitors add directly (C_eq = C₁ + C₂), while series capacitors add reciprocally.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is theoretically exact for ideal capacitors without parasitic effects.