MF

mF is the symbol for millifarad, a unit of electrical capacitance in the International System of Units (SI). One millifarad equals one thousandth of a farad: 1 mF = 0.001 F. Because the farad is a relatively large unit, capacitance values in practical electronics are more commonly expressed in microfarads (µF) or nanofarads (nF), but mF remains in use for certain large-valued capacitors and in older schematics.

Relationships with other units:

- 1 F = 1000 mF

- 1 mF = 1000 µF

- 1 µF = 0.001 mF

Physical meaning:

Capacitance measures a capacitor’s ability to store electric charge per unit voltage, described by C = Q/V, where C is in farads. In energy terms, the stored energy is E = (1/2) C V^2, with C in farads and V the voltage. For example, a 2.0 mF capacitor charged to 10 V stores about 0.1 joule of energy.

Usage and context:

In modern design practice, µF and nF values are more common, especially in consumer electronics and signal circuits. mF capacitors are typically associated with higher-capacitance applications such as power supply filtering, energy storage in older equipment, or large electrolytic capacitors where values around the millifarad range are convenient. Component labeling on older hardware may explicitly show mF, though contemporary schematics often use µF for clarity.

Notes:

The prefix and symbol follow SI conventions: the lowercase m denotes milli, and F is the symbol for farad. As with all SI units, care is needed to avoid ambiguity when reading schematics or datasheets that mix unit conventions. Related terms include the farad, microfarad, and nanofarad.