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Posts Tagged ‘capacitors’

Resistors and Capacitors, Electrical Component

Posted on: July 26th, 2011 by admin

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electronic component which is used to control voltage by restricting the flow of current in a circuit. Resistors may also protect sensitive electrical components from exploding or blowing due to excessive voltage. Higher resistance means that there will be less current in a circuit. Resistors may either look microchips, or they may be a wire with a small, bead-like colored cylinder of resisting material around it. They are common elements of electronic circuits and electrical networks and are found in almost all electronic equipment. They can be implemented within integrated circuits (microchips), especially in analog devices, and also may be integrated into printed and hybrid circuits.

Resistors can be joined in different combinations in order to complete a circuit. They may be linked in a series, where the resistors are connected on after the other, or that may be parallel, where the resistors are connected over one another. When linked in a series, the current through all of the resistors will be the same, but the voltage across each one will be in proportion to its resistance. When in a parallel configuration, resistors are all subject to the same voltage, but the currents through each one will increase.

There are many varieties of resistors available. Each has a different rating to indicate its resistance to electricity. If a resistor is met with too much power, it may break or its function may become erratic. The bead-like style of resistor has a series of colored bands around it to indicate its rating. Other types of larger resistors are marked numerically, however most modern resistors are so small that marking them is impractical. A resistor’s color may also indicate its rating.

Resistors may be made out of many different materials. In the past, resistors were made from solid carbon, but this type is rare now because it did not fare well with air moisture and can be too expensive to make. Many modern resistors do still utilize carbon as a film. Other modern resistors are made from metal or wire. Newer resistors are also much better at handling air moisture and high heat from electricity. In a properly designed circuit, the failure rate of resistors is much lower than that of other electronic components like electrolyte capacitors and semiconductors. Resistors most often become damaged due to overheating when they receive too much power. This problem can be avoided by ensuring that the resistor is chosen and installed properly.

Introduction to Capacitors

Posted on: July 15th, 2011 by admin

A capacitor, sometimes called a condenser, is a passive electronic component that stores electric charge. There are many different forms of capacitors, but each one has at least two conductors separated by a non-conductor. Conductors are similar to batteries, but are smaller, lighter, and charge much quicker.


Capacitors are made from two metal plates, called conductors, that are on top of and near one another, but do not touch. The conductors require a lot of surface area to provide capacitance (the ability to store an electric charge), so capacitors are often rolled or folded into another shape (like a cylinder). These conductors are separated by an insulator called a dielectric. The size and type of dielectric determines whether the capacitor is better suited for high frequency or high voltage applications. For example, capacitors with Mylar dielectric are most commonly used in timer circuits like those in clocks or alarms, while capacitors with ceramic dielectric are most commonly used in high-frequency purposes like X-ray and MRI machines. A capacitor allows alternating current (AC) to pass, but blocks direct current (DC) signals. Because of this property, capacitors are often used to separate the AC and DC parts of a signal. This use is called capacitive or AC coupling.


There are many ways that capacitors can be used, and at least one is included in almost every electrical product. One way a capacitor can be used is for energy storage as a sort of temporary battery because capacitors can store electric energy even when disconnected from their charging circuits. They are often used to maintain power supply while the batteries of electronic devices are charged. Capacitors can also be used to provide large pulses of current for pulsed power applications such as pulsed lasers, radar, and particle accelerators. Reservoir capacitors (large capacitor banks) are also used for detonators in nuclear weapons and some other types of specialty weapons. There are many possible uses of a capacitor.


Although useful, capacitors can be very dangerous because they sometimes retain their charge long after the power source has been removed from the circuit. If the wrong part of an electronic device is touched, the stored charge in the capacitor can cause a painful or even fatal electric shock. Electronics often contain instructions and warnings to avoid this danger. When working with equipment containing larger capacitors often requires special wrist straps to be worn to protect both the user and the equipment.


While there are risks when using capacitors, they are also very useful and are integral to modern technology.