4~ Capacitor in Series & Parallel

Capacitors in parallel

* have the same applied voltage

* their capacitance add up

* charge is apportioned among them by size

* using the schematic diagram to visualize parallel plates, it is apparent that each capacitor contributes to the total surface area.

capacitors in parallel

Capacitors in series

* the capacitors each store instantaneous charge build-up equal to that of every other capacitor in the series

* the total voltage difference from end to end is apportioned to each capacitor according to the inverse of its capacitance

* the entire series acts as a capacitor smaller than any of its components.

capacitors in series

NOTE : Capacitors are combined in series to achieve a higher working voltage, for example for smoothing a high voltage power supply.