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electrolytic and non-electrolytic capacitor - difference

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arajarahul

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capacitor

what is the difference between an electrolytic capacitor and a non-electrolytic capacitor and how they effect a circuit when they are used?
 

capacitor

Basically eletcrolytic capacitor is a polarised and the value will normally start from 1microfarad, whearas non eletcrolytic capacitor is non polarised and the value starts from Pico fard ranges. The capacitors are choosen according to the capacitance required in a particular section of a circuit. Good luck
 

Re: capacitor

Technically, the difference is that one contains an electrolyte and one doesn't.

Electrolyte is a liquid filling (dielectric layer) between the capacitor plates. The idea is that the liquid allows a more 'intimate' contact with the plates and so increases surface area. It also allows the plates surface area to be increased by etching or pitting it while still maintaining contact.

pranam77 is quite right about the value ranges although there are non-polarized electrolytic capacitors as well.

In a circuit, Electrolytics tend to be less efficient as the frequency increases because their construction normally has a relatively high inductance. For this reason you will often find an electrolytic and a non-electrolytic capacitor in parallel. The electrolytic gives low reactance at lower frequencies and the other to keeps it low at higher frequencies.

Brian.
 

Re: capacitor

There are three main types of capacitors used:-
1.Tantalum:-Have polarity, good performance and smaller footprint than electrolytic for similiar range
2.Ceramic:-No polarity-low cost and preferred for low values
3.Electrolytic:-Have polarity,normally large value(uFs)

thanks GSM Man
 

Re: capacitor

akswami said:
There are three main types of capacitors used:-
1.Tantalum:-No polarity, good performance and smaller footprint than electrolytic for similiar range
Tantalums are definately POLARIZED- Hook one up backwards if you want to see a Firecracker!

Another thing to consider with capacitors is their Effective Series Resistance (ESR). This can have a big effect if you are using them for filters, or even as by-pass caps with large fast transients (as we see in many RF apps).
Electrolytics tend to have high series resistance, tantalums lower, ceramics usually the lowest.
 

capacitor

Go to KEMET and get the their capacitor KEMET SPICE viewer and then you can compare the diferences between ceramic, tantalum and aluminum for the same 1uF capacitor. Also, you can see the diferences on various types of ceramics capacitors (X5R, Y5V, X7R, C0G, etc..).
What you will notice first is the frequency response of the 3 types capacitors.
You must know that some types of capacitors also change their capacitance value with applyed voltage, ageing, etc. Some types are more stable but others are not. For instance, Y5V capacitors are cheap but their capacitance value change too much with the applied voltage.
 

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