Capacator

The capacator, more commonly spelled capacitor, is a passive electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field created between two conductors separated by a dielectric. The basic unit of capacitance is the farad (F). The relationship between charge, voltage, and capacitance is Q = C × V, meaning the stored charge is proportional to the applied voltage and the component’s capacitance.

Capacitors come in many forms and are used for a variety of purposes. They can be classified as polarized (electrolytic, like aluminum and tantalum types) or non-polarized (ceramic, film, mica, and foil types). Dielectric materials determine characteristics such as voltage rating, temperature stability, and size. Common dielectrics include air, vacuum, ceramic, plastic film, mica, and electrolytic oxide layers. Ultra-capacitors or supercapacitors offer very high capacitance values for rapid energy storage and release.

Key electrical properties include capacitance value, voltage rating, tolerance, leakage current, and parasitics such as equivalent series resistance (ESR) and equivalent series inductance (ESL). These factors influence performance in real-world circuits, especially at high frequencies or in power applications. Capacitance values range from picofarads to several farads, while voltage ratings can span millivolts to hundreds or thousands of volts.

Typical applications include smoothing and filtering in power supplies, AC or DC coupling and decoupling in signal paths, timing and waveform shaping in oscillators, and energy storage in pulsed power systems. The capacator is a fundamental component in electronics, valued for its simplicity, reliability, and versatility.

Historically, early capacitors evolved from Leyden jars in the 18th century to modern solid-state devices. Proper handling and polarity awareness, especially for electrolytics, are important for longevity and safety.