Lecture Notes on Combining Capacitors
Overview
The lecture focused on various methods of combining capacitors, specifically detailing parallel wiring and series wiring. The fundamental concepts include how to extend or modify capacitor configurations to meet specific needs, such as increasing capacitance or substituting unavailable capacitor values with combinations of available ones. Additionally, the tutorial touched on transforming a dual capacitor into individual capacitors for different uses and vice versa.
Parallel Wiring of Capacitors
- Goal: Increase the total capacitance.
- Method: Connect the capacitors such that the positive leads are connected together, and the negative leads are also connected together.
- Example: If you need a 20 micro farad capacitor and only have two 10 micro farad capacitors:
- Use jumper wires to connect the positive terminal of one capacitor to the positive of the other, and repeat for the negative terminals.
- The resulting capacitance will be the sum of the individual capacitors (10 µF + 10 µF = 20 µF).
- Checking with a meter should show approximately 20 micro farads.
Series Wiring of Capacitors
- Goal: Decrease total capacitance.
- Method: Connect capacitors end-to-end (positive to negative).
- Formula: If C1 and C2 are two capacitors in series, the total capacitance C is given by:
[
C = \frac{{C1 \times C2}}{{C1 + C2}}
]
- Example: To achieve 5 micro farads using two 10 micro farad capacitors:
- Connect a jumper wire from the negative terminal of the first capacitor to the positive of the second.
- Attach the external circuit leads to the free positive terminal of the first capacitor and the free negative terminal of the second.
- Verification with a meter should confirm the expected value, based on the formula.
Converting Dual Capacitors to Single Capacitors
- Procedure to combine two 30 micro farad capacitors to create one equivalent 60 micro farad capacitor (for compressor only) without affecting the fan capacitor:
- Transfer wires from a 60 micro farad dual capacitor to similar posts on one of the 30 micro farad capacitors.
- Add a jumper between the 'Herm' terminals of both capacitors and another between the 'Common' terminals.
- Verify with a meter to ensure the capacitance approximates 60 micro farads.
Utilizing Capacitors in Practical Scenarios
- Example: If you need to replace a 10 micro farad capacitor used for a blower motor but only have 5 micro farad capacitors:
- Wire two 5 micro farad capacitors in parallel.
- Connect instrument wires to confirm the setup provides the correct capacitance.
Tips for Practical Handling
- Connection Tips: Use splitters for extra terminals if running out of spade connectors.
- Utility: Secure capacitors using zip ties or metal straps if they need to be physically united for stability.
Burn Remedy Knowledge (Unrelated to Capacitors but Valuable Information)
- Remedy for minor burns: Use a high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (70-95%) to clean the wound, which helps cool and prevent blistering.
- This is effective for burns without severe tissue damage.
This lecture provides an in-depth understanding of how capacitors can be manipulated in various configurations to meet specific electronic requirements, offering practical knowledge for handling electronic components effectively.