Is Charging a 2.7V, 350F Supercapacitor with a 10mA, 20V Source Safe?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety and feasibility of charging a 2.7V, 350F supercapacitor using a 20V power source with varying current specifications. Participants explore the implications of different charging currents and voltage levels, as well as potential methods for safely charging the capacitor.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the safety of charging a 2.7V supercapacitor with a 20V source.
  • Another participant points out that charging at 0.001mA would take an impractically long time to reach 2.7V, suggesting that leakage current would prevent the capacitor from charging fully.
  • There is confusion regarding the correct current specification, with one participant initially stating 0.001mA and later correcting it to 10mA.
  • Suggestions are made to use a potential divider to reduce the voltage to a safer level, such as 2.2V, for charging the supercapacitor.
  • Concerns are raised about the leakage current of practical components, such as zener diodes, when used to limit voltage.
  • Participants express uncertainty about the actual current intended for charging, leading to further clarification attempts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the safety of the charging method or the appropriate current to use. Multiple competing views regarding the charging process and safety remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about current specifications and the implications of leakage currents in practical applications. The exact arrangement for charging the supercapacitor is not detailed, leading to further uncertainty.

cosmos1226
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
I have supercapcitor 2.7V, 350F. I want to charge it by 0.001mA 20V power source. Is it safe?
Thanks you!.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
hi
welcome to the forums

well its a 2.7V capacitor ... what do you think ?

Dave
 
cosmos1226 said:
I have supercapcitor 2.7V, 350F. I want to charge it by 0.001mA 20V power source. Is it safe?
Thanks you!.
What arrangement will you use to charge it? How do you know your power supply is limited to 0.001mA?
 
A 350 F capacitor charged to 2.7 volt contains a charge of 2.7*350 = 945 Coulombs.
If the current is really limited to 0.001mA, it would take 945 / (10^-6) = 9.45 * 10^8 seconds = 29.9 years for it to charge to 2.7 volts, so you'd be ok for a long time.
In practice there will be a lot more leakage current than 0.001 mA and the capacitor would never charge to 2.7 volt.
 
I'm experimenting power supply 20V for charging 27V capacitor 350F. Supercapacitor is loaded, but does know it safe?
 
cosmos1226 said:
I'm experimenting power supply 20V for charging 27V capacitor 350F. Supercapacitor is loaded, but does know it safe?
Is the capacitor rating 2.7V or 27V?
 
NascentOxygen said:
Is the capacitor rating 2.7V or 27V?
. maxwell supercapacitor 2.7V 350F. thánks you
 
You could connect a pair of resistors as a potential divider to reduce your 20V down to a safe level, say 2.2V. Then the supercapacitor could be safely left to charge unsupervised, and you'd know that in a few decades it should be almost fully charged to 2.2V

You haven't answered why you want to charge it at 0.001mA, and I presume that is not the figure you intend.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: cosmos1226
NascentOxygen said:
You could connect a pair of resistors as a potential divider to reduce your 20V down to a safe level, say 2.2V. Then the supercapacitor could be safely left to charge unsupervised, and you'd know that in a few decades it should be almost fully charged to 2.2V

You haven't answered why you want to charge it at 0.001mA, and I presume that is not the figure you intend.
Although the voltage is 20V but only amperage 10mV (it as a leak). so, I do not want to pass any parts change any power consuming.
 
  • #10
cosmos1226 said:
amperage 10mV
10mV is not a current

In theory, you could connect a parallel 2.2V zener diode to limit the capacitor's voltage at 2.2V, but a practical zener would have significant leakage current below a capacitor voltage of 2.2V.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: cosmos1226
  • #11
NascentOxygen said:
10mV is not a current

In theory, you could connect a parallel 2.2V zener diode to limit the capacitor's voltage at 2.2V, but a practical zener would have significant leakage current below a capacitor voltage of 2.2V.
I'm sorry, 10mA
 
  • #12
cosmos1226 said:
I'm sorry, 10mA
So it's 10mA now!

Up until this, it has been one-thousandth of a milliamp (0.001mA).

Are you sure it's 10mA??
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
12K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
3K