Understanding the Use of Mica in Capacitors: Key Factors and Considerations

  • Thread starter Thread starter ahjie
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Capacitors
AI Thread Summary
Mica is an insulator with a dielectric constant of around 5, making it suitable for capacitor construction due to its ability to increase capacitance compared to air. When mica fills the air gaps between capacitors, it enhances capacitance according to the formula C=κC. Despite its effectiveness as a dielectric, mica is increasingly being replaced by ceramics in modern applications. The breakdown voltage of mica is also favorable when compared to air, contributing to its historical use. However, advancements in materials have led to a decline in mica's popularity in capacitor manufacturing.
ahjie
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
If fill mica between the air gaps between capacitors will how?
We need consider mica as conductor?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
ahjie said:
If fill mica between the air gaps between capacitors will how?
We need consider mica as conductor?

No, mica is an insulator. Look up the dielectric constant of mica, and compare that value to the dielectric constant of air. Do you see now why mica is used in capacitor construction?
 
berkeman said:
No, mica is an insulator. Look up the dielectric constant of mica, and compare that value to the dielectric constant of air. Do you see now why mica is used in capacitor construction?

If the dielectric constant of mica is 5, then apply this formula?(C=κC。)

so make the capacitance of that capacitors higher?is it like this?
 
Also compare breakdown voltage of mica cf. air http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_12/8.html
 
ahjie said:
If the dielectric constant of mica is 5, then apply this formula?(C=κC。)

so make the capacitance of that capacitors higher?is it like this?

Yes. And then add in the comment from NascentOxygen, which I didn't even think of...
 
Mica has been a fantastic dielectric but is abandoned now. We have ceramics.
 

Thread 'Underwater piezoelectric sensor array receive sensitivity'

Hi all I have some confusion about piezoelectrical sensors combination. If i have three acoustic piezoelectrical sensors (with same receive sensitivity in dB ref V/1uPa) placed at specific distance, these sensors receive acoustic signal from a sound source placed at far field distance (Plane Wave) and from broadside. I receive output of these sensors through individual preamplifiers, add them through hardware like summer circuit adder or in software after digitization and in this way got an...
View full post »

Thread 'Question about bonding ground and neutral'

I am not an electrical engineering student, but a lowly apprentice electrician. I learn both on the job and also take classes for my apprenticeship. I recently wired my first transformer and I understand that the neutral and ground are bonded together in the transformer or in the service. What I don't understand is, if the neutral is a current carrying conductor, which is then bonded to the ground conductor, why does current only flow back to its source and not on the ground path...
View full post »

Thread 'Following up on the recent thread about Earth Resistance measurements'

I have recently moved into a new (rather ancient) house and had a few trips of my Residual Current breaker. I dug out my old Socket tester which tell me the three pins are correct. But then the Red warning light tells me my socket(s) fail the loop test. I never had this before but my last house had an overhead supply with no Earth from the company. The tester said "get this checked" and the man said the (high but not ridiculous) earth resistance was acceptable. I stuck a new copper earth...
View full post »

Similar threads

Capacitor charge time, two conflicting answers
Replies
6
Views
218
Asking some Capacitor questions to help my understanding
Replies
19
Views
2K
Designing Balancing Resistors for Series Capacitors: Factors Affecting IR
Replies
6
Views
2K
What explains the current flow in a LC circuit?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Need a voltage divider for a capacitor source voltage
2
Replies
78
Views
5K
Finding Minimum Plate Separation for Mica-Filled Capacitor
Replies
6
Views
4K
Capacitance (intended and parasitic)
Replies
17
Views
2K
Can I use individual capacitor IR for parallel circuit balancing resistors?
Replies
3
Views
2K
How Does Mica Affect Fringe Shift in Young's Double-Slit Experiment?
Replies
3
Views
6K
A 3500-pF air-gap capacitor question
Replies
2
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top