Capacitors in Parallel and Series

Capacitors and parallel and series capacitance

capacitors in parallel

For parallel-connected capacitors the equivalent capacitance can be expressed as

C = C₁ + C₂ + . . + C_n (1)

where

C = capacitance (Farad, F, μF)

It is common to use µF.

capacitors in series

For series-connected capacitors the equivalent capacitance can be expressed as

1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂ + . . + 1/C_n (2)

The equivalent capacitance of two capacitors with capacitance 10 μF and 20 μF can be calculated as

in parallel

C = 10 (μF) + 20 (μF)

= 30 (μF)

in series

1/C = 1/10 (μF) + 1/20 (μF)

= 0.15 (1/μF)

or

C = 1 / 0.15 (1/μF)

= 6.7 (μF)