Theory- 21 :- Capacitors in series and parallel

 CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL  

When two capacitors are connected in parallel as shown in Fig 1 a, it is possible to represent these two capacitors by a  single capacitor of equivalent value.. 

Hence, when capacitors are connected in parallel, the effective   capacitance increases. It is interesting to note that, the equation for parallel connected capacitors is similar to the series connection of resistors. The reason why an increase in capacitance results is due to the effective increase in the plate area, A   When capacitors of different voltage ratings are connected in parallel, the maximum working voltage (DCWV) of the combination will be that of the lowest voltage rating capacitor amongst the group of capacitors.   a. The total capacitance. b. The maximum voltage that can be applied to the circuit. c. The maximum charge that the parallel‐connected group can store without damaging any capacitor in the connection.  

Effective capacitive reactance of capacitors in parallel 

When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total. 

Capacitance CT increases. This causes the overall reactance of the circuit to decrease because.   

 shows the capacitive reactance of individual capacitors connected in parallel.

  

 

CAPACITORS IN SERIES When two capacitors are connected in series as shown the charging current is the same throughout the circuit as it is in a series circuit. 

Tip: In a series connection, the capacitor with a smaller capacitance value will have a higher voltage drop across it Effective capacitive reactance of capacitors in series Fig 5a shows the capacitive reactance of individual capacitors connected in series. This is similar to resistors connected in series.