Answer: Calculating Time to Discharge Capacitor Rated x Micro-Farads

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the discharge time of a capacitor rated at 1014 micro-Farads, initially charged to 179V and discharged at a constant current of 163 microAmperes. It is established that discharging a capacitor with a constant current results in linear voltage decay, contrary to the initial assumption of exponential decay. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the discharge method to accurately determine voltage behavior over time.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of capacitor ratings and micro-Farads
  • Knowledge of electrical current measurements in microAmperes
  • Familiarity with voltage concepts and decay functions
  • Understanding of linear versus exponential decay in electrical circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of capacitor discharge and the difference between constant current and constant voltage discharge methods
  • Learn about linear voltage decay equations and their applications in circuit analysis
  • Explore the implications of capacitor ratings on discharge behavior in practical scenarios
  • Investigate the use of simulation tools for modeling capacitor discharge in various configurations
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Electrical engineers, students studying circuit theory, and hobbyists working with capacitors in electronic projects will benefit from this discussion.

James889
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Hi,

If i have a capacitor rated x micro-Farads. And i know that it is charged to a certain voltage.
And it's being discharged by a current. How would i find the time it takes to completely discharge the capacitor?
 
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okay so it's an exponential decay type of function?
I suspect this is really easy. I have that the capacitor is rated at 1014\mu farads
and that it is charged to 179V, and is being discharged at a constant rate of 163\muA
 
Last edited:
James889 said:
okay so it's an exponential decay type of function?
I suspect this is really easy. I have that the capacitor is rated at 1014\mu farads
and that it is charged to 179V, and is being discharged at a constant rate of 163\muA

If you are discharging with a constant current, the voltage decay is not exponential, it is linear.

How exactly is this capacitor being discharged? How did it get to 179V in the first place?
 
Hmm, sorry. I just discovered i posted in the wrong forums.
Forgive me...
 
James889 said:
Hmm, sorry. I just discovered i posted in the wrong forums.
Forgive me...

No worries. Do you want me to move the thread to the Homework Help forums?
 

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