PHYSICS PROJECT
CAPACITOR IN
PARALLEL
CONNECTION
T.VISALINI
CONTENTS
1.INTRODUCTION
2.EQUIVALENT CAPACITANCE
3. CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL
CONNECTION
4. PRINCIPLE OF PARALLEL CAPACITOR
5.CONSTRUCTION OF A CAPACITOR
6.TYPES OF CAPACITOR
7.KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE RULE
8.APPLICATION OF PARALLEL
CAPACITOR
9.ADVANTAGES OF PARALLEL
CAPACITOR
10. CONCLUSION
11.BIBILOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
Capacitors are essential components in
electronic circuits, storing energy in the
form of an electric field. When capacitors
are connected in parallel, they form a
network that can store more energy and
provide a lower equivalent capacitance.
This configuration is commonly used in
various applications, including power
supply filtering, audio circuits, and
energy storage systems.
In a parallel capacitor connection, each
capacitor is connected between the
same two nodes, allowing them to share
the same voltage. The total capacitance
of the network is the sum of the
individual capacitances, making it
possible to achieve higher capacitance
values than with a single capacitor.
Understanding the behavior of
capacitors in parallel connections is
crucial for designing and analyzing
electronic circuits. This topic will explore
the fundamentals of capacitor parallel
connections, including equivalent
capacitance, voltage and current
distribution, and applications in various
fields.
FUNDAMENTALS OF
CAPACITOR PARALLEL
CONNECTIONS:
EQUIVALENT CAPACITANCE:
Definition:
The equivalent capacitance (Ceq) of a
capacitor network is the single
capacitance value that can replace the
entire network without changing the
overall behavior of the circuit.
Derivation:
To derive the equivalent capacitance
formula for a parallel capacitor network,
we can start with the definition of
capacitance:
C = Q /
V
CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL
CONNECTION:
A capacitor in parallel
connection is a circuit
configuration where two or
more capacitors are
connected between the
same two nodes, allowing
them to share the same
voltage.
Characteristics of
Capacitor in Parallel
Connection:
1. Equivalent Capacitance: The total
capacitance (Ct) of the circuit is the
sum of the individual capacitances:
Ct = C1 + C2 + ... +
Cn. The voltage across each
2. Voltage:
capacitor is the same:
V1 = V2 = ... =
Vn.
3. Charge: The total charge (Qt)
stored in the circuit is the sum of the
individual charges:
Qt = Q1 + Q2 + ... +
4. Qn .
Current: The current flowing through
each capacitor may be different:
It = I1 + I2 + ... +
I n.
CONSTRUCTION OF A CAPACITOR
1. Prepare the Plates: Cut two
conductive plates (e.g., aluminium or
copper) to the desired shape and
clean them for better conductivity.
2. Place the Dielectric: Insert a
dielectric material (like paper,
plastic, or ceramic) between the
plates to prevent direct contact and
store electric charge.
3. Assemble the Layers: Stack the
plates and dielectric securely,
ensuring proper alignment for
uniform performance.
4. Seal the Assembly: Enclose the
capacitor in a protective casing using
materials like resin or plastic to
protect it from damage and
moisture.
5. Attach Leads and Test: Add
connection terminals, test for
functionality (capacitance, voltage
rating), and label the capacitor for
use.
TYPES OF CAPACITOR
1. Parallel Plate Capacitor
Structure: Consists of two parallel
conductive plates separated by a
dielectric material.
Capacitance Formula:
A
C=k ϵ 0
d
Applications: Used in basic electronic
circuits, filters, and as storage devices.
2. Spherical Capacitor
Structure: Composed of two concentric
spherical conducting shells with a
dielectric in between.
Capacitance Formula:
R 1 R2
C=4 π ϵ 0
R 2−R1
Applications: Found in high-voltage
applications and experimental setups.
3. Cylindrical Capacitor
Structure: Consists of two coaxial
cylinders, with one acting as the inner
conductor and the other as the outer
conductor, separated by a dielectric.
Capacitance Formula:
Applications: Used in cable systems,
coaxial transmission lines, and high-
frequency circuits.
KIRCHHOFF’S VOLTAGE
RULE
Kirchhoff’s First Law or Kirchhoff’s
Current Law
According to Kirchhoff’s Current Law,
The total current entering a junction or a node is equal to
the charge leaving the node as no charge is lost.
Put differently, the algebraic sum of every current
entering and leaving the node has to be null. This property
of Kirchhoff law is commonly called conservation of
charge, wherein I(exit) + I(enter) = 0.
Kirchhoff’s Second Law or
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
According to Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law,
The voltage around a loop equals the sum of every voltage
drop in the same loop for any closed network and equals
zero.
Put differently, the algebraic sum of every voltage in the
loop has to be equal to zero and this property of
Kirchhoff’s law is called conservation of energy.
APPLICATIONS OF PARALLEL CAPACITOR
- Power Supplies: Filter out unwanted
voltage ripples and noise to provide a
stable output voltage.
- Audio Equipment: Improve sound
quality by filtering out unwanted
frequencies and reducing distortion.
- Energy Storage: Store large amounts
of energy for applications such as
supercapacitors and battery
management systems.
- Medical Equipment: Store energy for
medical devices such as defibrillators
and MRI machines.
- Computer Hardware: Filter out
unwanted voltage ripples and noise to
provide a stable power supply to
computer components.
- Filtering: Remove unwanted
frequencies from signals to improve
signal quality and reduce noise.
ADVANTAGES OF PARALLEL CAPACITOR
1. Increased Capacitance: The total
capacitance of parallel capacitors is the sum
of individual capacitances.
2. Improved Filtering: Parallel capacitors
provide better filtering of unwanted
frequencies and noise.
3. Reduced Equivalent Series Resistance
(ESR): Parallel capacitors reduce the ESR,
resulting in less energy loss and heat
generation.
4. Increased Current Handling: Parallel
capacitors can handle higher currents,
making them suitable for high-power
applications.
5. Reduced Voltage Ripple: Parallel
capacitors provide a smoother output
voltage, reducing voltage ripple and noise.
CONCLUSION
The project on capacitors in parallel
connection has demonstrated the
advantages of combining multiple
capacitors in parallel. The results show
that parallel capacitors increase the total
capacitance, improve filtering, reduce
equivalent series resistance, increase
current handling, and reduce voltage
ripple.
The experiment confirms the theoretical
concept that the total capacitance of
parallel capacitors is the sum of
individual capacitances. The project also
highlights the practical applications of
parallel capacitors in power supplies,
audio equipment, and energy storage
systems.
In conclusion, the project has
successfully explored the characteristics
and applications of capacitors in parallel
connection,demonstrating their
importance in electronic circuits and
systems.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
To successfully complete my
project file.
I have taken help from the
Following website links-
*https://www.electronics-
tutorials.ws
*https://
courses.lumenlearning.com
*https://openpress.usask.ca
*https://learn.sparkfun.com
*https://studiousguy.com
*https://eepower.com
*https://byjus.com/jee
