Capacitors are more than just a symbol on a circuit schematic. Here’s everything you need to know about the many types of capacitors and when to use them.
Capacitors are one of the most basic circuit elements that electronic engineers can use. But basic doesn’t mean simple. There’s a rich variety of capacitor types and ways to use them, and even seasoned engineers may need some help in pairing the right capacitor with the right circuit.
This special engineering.com guide to capacitors aims to provide that help. This series examines the most popular types of capacitors and the most common capacitor applications to help you choose the most effective capacitor no matter your requirements. This guide is meant for any engineer with capacitor questions, covering the basics as well as advanced use cases, so feel free to skip around to find the specific answers you’re looking for.
For a detailed breakdown of the most common capacitor use cases, read:
For more information on specific types of capacitors, read:
- Air variable capacitors
- Aluminum electrolytic capacitors
- Ceramic capacitors
- Feedthrough capacitors
- Film capacitors
- Glass capacitors
- Mica capacitors
- Multi-layer organic (MLO) capacitors
- Niobium electrolytic capacitors
- Paper capacitors
- Polymer electrolytic capacitors
- Supercapacitors
- Tantalum electrolytic capacitors
- Trimmer capacitors
- Varactor diodes
- Printed capacitors
For an explanation of all terms used throughout this guide, read:
