Combination of capacitors

Therefore, in summary, the technician can use a combination of two or four of the 100-uF capacitors to meet the repair requirement, with a maximum voltage of either 100V or 45V across the capacitors used.
  • #1
yanyin
21
0
to repair a power supply for a stereo amplifier, an electronics technician needs a 100-uF(microfarads) capacitor capable of withstanding a potential difference of 90V between the plates. the only available supply is a box of five 100-uF (microfarads) capacitors. each having a maximum voltage capability of 50V. Can the technician substitute a combination of these capacitors that has the proper electrical characteristics? if so, what will be the maximum voltage across any of the capacitors used? (suggestion: the technician may not have to use all the capacitors in the box)
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there are at lest 2 possbilities, and i know the maximum voltage is 45V.
 
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  • #2
Possibility 1: The technician can use two capacitors in series, with each capacitor having a maximum voltage of 50V. This would result in a total maximum voltage of 100V across the series combination, which is enough to meet the repair requirement. Possibility 2: The technician can use four capacitors in parallel, with each capacitor having a maximum voltage of 50V. This would result in a total maximum voltage of 45V across each of the capacitors used in the parallel combination, which is also enough to meet the repair requirement.
 
  • #3


Yes, the technician can use a combination of these capacitors to meet the required specifications. The maximum voltage across any of the capacitors used will be 45V. This can be achieved by connecting the capacitors in series, where the voltage is divided equally among each capacitor. In this case, the total capacitance would still be 100uF, but the maximum voltage would be 45V (50V/2 = 25V, and 25V + 25V = 50V).

Alternatively, the technician can also connect the capacitors in parallel, where the voltage across each capacitor would be the same, but the total capacitance would add up. In this scenario, the maximum voltage would still be 45V, but the total capacitance would be 500uF (100uF x 5 = 500uF).

Therefore, the technician has two options to achieve the desired specifications and can choose the most suitable one based on the availability of space and other factors.
 

1. How do you calculate the equivalent capacitance of a combination of capacitors?

The equivalent capacitance of a combination of capacitors can be calculated by using the formula 1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + ..., where C1, C2, C3, etc. are the individual capacitances of the capacitors in the combination. This formula works for capacitors connected in series or in parallel.

2. What is the difference between capacitors in series and capacitors in parallel?

Capacitors in series have the same amount of charge on each capacitor, but the total capacitance is less than any individual capacitor. In contrast, capacitors in parallel have the same voltage across each capacitor, but the total capacitance is the sum of all the individual capacitances.

3. Can capacitors in a combination have different capacitance values?

Yes, capacitors in a combination can have different capacitance values. In series, the equivalent capacitance will be less than the smallest individual capacitance. In parallel, the equivalent capacitance will be the sum of all the individual capacitances.

4. How does the arrangement of capacitors affect the overall capacitance?

The arrangement of capacitors affects the overall capacitance because capacitors in series have a smaller equivalent capacitance, while capacitors in parallel have a larger equivalent capacitance. The arrangement also determines how the charge and voltage are distributed among the capacitors in the combination.

5. What is the purpose of using a combination of capacitors?

A combination of capacitors is used to increase or decrease the overall capacitance in a circuit. By using different arrangements of capacitors, it is possible to achieve a specific capacitance value that may not be available with a single capacitor. Additionally, using combinations of capacitors can also help reduce the size and cost of a circuit.

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