What Should a 220v 53-64 Capacitor Read

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Unlike resistors, capacitors use a broad variety of codes to draw their characteristics. Physically small capacitors are peculiarly difficult to read, due to the limited space available for press. The information in this article should help you lot read most all modern consumer capacitors. Don't be surprised if your information is printed in a dissimilar order than the one described here, or if voltage and tolerance info is missing from your capacitor. For many low-voltage DIY circuits, the only information you demand is the capacitance.

1. 1

   Know the units of measurement. The base unit of measurement of capacitance is the farad (F). This value is much too large for ordinary circuits, and then household capacitors are labeled with one of the following units:^{[1] [2]}

   • i µF, uF, or mF = 1 microfarad = ten^-6 farads. (Careful — in other contexts, mF is the official abbreviation for millifarads, or 10^-3 farads.)
   • 1 nF = 1 nanofarad = x^-ix farads.
   • 1 pF, mmF, or uuF = 1 picofarad = 1 micromicrofarad = x^-12 farads.

2. 2

   Read the capacitance value. Most large capacitors have a capacitance value written on the side. Slight variations are common, so look for the value that virtually closely matches the units in a higher place. Y'all may need to adjust for the following:

   • Ignore capital letters in the units. For example, "MF" is just a variation on "mf." (It is definitely not a megafarad, even though this is the official SI abbreviation.)
   • Don't become thrown by "fd." This is just another abbreviation for farad. For example, "mmfd" is the same every bit "mmf."
   • Beware single-letter markings such as "475m," unremarkably establish on smaller capacitors.^[3] See below for instructions.

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3. 3

   Look for a tolerance value. Some capacitors listing a tolerance, or the maximum expected range in capacitance compared to its listed value. This isn't important in all circuits, but you may need to pay attention to this if you lot crave a precise capacitor value. For example, a capacitor labeled "6000uF +50%/-70%" could actually take a capacitance as loftier as 6000uF + (6000 * 0.5) = 9000uF, or every bit depression as 6000 uF - (6000uF * 0.7) = 1800uF.

   • If there is no per centum listed, look for a single alphabetic character after the capacitance value or on its own line. This may be code for a tolerance value, described beneath.

4. 4

   Check the voltage rating. If there is room on the body of the capacitor, the manufacturer usually lists voltage as a number followed past a V, VDC, VDCW, or WV (for "Working Voltage").^[four] This is the maximum voltage the capacitor is designed to handle.

   • one kV = 1,000 volts.
   • See below if you lot suspect your capacitor uses a code for voltage (a single letter or 1 digit and one letter). If there is no symbol at all, reserve the cap for depression-voltage circuits merely.
   • If you are building an Ac circuit, look for a capacitor rated specifically for VAC. Do non use a DC capacitor unless you have an in-depth knowledge of how to convert the voltage rating, and how to use that type of capacitor safely in Air conditioning applications.^[v]

5. 5

   Look for a + or - sign. If you come across one of these next to a terminal, the capacitor is polarized. Make sure to connect the capacitor's + terminate to the positive side of the circuit, or the capacitor could eventually cause a short or even explode.^[six] If there is no + or -, you can orient the capacitor either way.

   • Some capacitors use a colored bar or a ring-shaped low to show polarity. Traditionally, this marker designates the - finish on an aluminum electrolytic capacitor (which are usually shaped similar tin cans). On tantalum electrolytic capacitors (which are very pocket-sized), this marking designates the + end.^[vii] (Disregard the bar if information technology contradicts a + or - sign, or if information technology is on a non-electrolytic capacitor.)

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1. 1

   Write down the showtime two digits of the capacitance. Older capacitors are less anticipated, but almost all modern examples use the EIA standard code when the capacitor is too minor to write out the capacitance in full. To start, write down the first two digits, and so decide what to do next based on your code:^[viii]

   • If your lawmaking starts with exactly two digits followed past a alphabetic character (eastward.m. 44M), the first 2 digits are the full capacitance code. Skip down to finding units.
   • If one of the commencement 2 characters is a alphabetic character, skip downwards to letter systems.
   • If the kickoff iii characters are all numbers, keep to the next stride.

2. 2

   Employ the third digit as a zero multiplier. The three-digit capacitance code works as follows:

   • If the tertiary digit is 0 through vi, add that many zeroes to the end of the number. (For case, 453 → 45 10 10^three → 45,000.)
   • If the 3rd digit is 8, multiply by 0.01. (e.one thousand. 278 → 27 x 0.01 → 0.27)
   • If the 3rd digit is nine, multiply by 0.ane. (east.thou. 309 → thirty x 0.1 → 3.0)

3. 3

   Work out the capacitance units from context . The smallest capacitors (made from ceramic, picture, or tantalum) utilize units of picofarads (pF), equal to 10^-12 farads. Larger capacitors (the cylindrical aluminum electrolyte type or the double-layer type) use units of microfarads (uF or µF), equal to ten^-6 farads.^[9]

   • A capacitor may overrule this by adding a unit after it (p for picofarad, n for nanofarad, or u for microfarad). However, if there is only one letter of the alphabet later the code, this is usually the tolerance lawmaking, non the unit. (P and N are uncommon tolerance codes, simply they do exist.)

4. 4

   Read codes that incorporate letters instead . If your code includes a letter as 1 of the get-go two characters, in that location are three possibilities:

   • If the alphabetic character is an R, supervene upon it with a decimal bespeak to go the capacitance in pF. For example, 4R1 ways a capacitance of 4.1pF.^[x]
   • If the letter of the alphabet is p, n, or u, this tells you the units (pico-, nano-, or microfarad). Replace this letter with a decimal point. For example, n61 means 0.61 nF, and 5u2 means 5.2 uF.^[11]
   • A lawmaking like "1A253" is really two codes. 1A tells yous the voltage, and 253 tells y'all the capacitance as described above.^[12]

5. v

   Read the tolerance lawmaking on ceramic capacitors. Ceramic capacitors, which are unremarkably tiny "pancakes" with two pins, typically list the tolerance value as i letter immediately after the 3-digit capacitance value. This letter represents the tolerance of the capacitor, pregnant how shut the actual value of the capacitor can exist expected to exist to the indicated value of the capacitor. If precision is important in your circuit, interpret this code as follows:^[xiii]

   • B = ± 0.1 pF.
   • C = ± 0.25 pF.
   • D = ± 0.5 pF for capacitors rated below 10 pF, or ± 0.v% for capacitors above x pF.
   • F = ± 1 pF or ± 1% (same system equally D above).
   • Grand = ± 2 pF or ± 2% (meet above).
   • J = ± v%.
   • Chiliad = ± 10%.
   • 1000 = ± 20%.
   • Z = +80% / -20% (If you see no tolerance listed, assume this as the worst case scenario.^[14] )

6. 6

   Read letter-number-letter tolerance values. Many types of capacitors correspond the tolerance with a more detailed three-symbol arrangement. Translate this as follows:^[15]

   • The kickoff symbol shows minimum temperature. Z = 10ºC, Y = -30ºC, X = -55ºC.
   • The second symbol shows maximum temperature. ii = 45ºC, iv = 65ºC, 5 = 85ºC, 6 = 105ºC, 7 = 125ºC.
   • The third symbol shows variation in capacitance across this temperature range. This ranges from the well-nigh precise, A = ±i.0%, to the least precise, Five = +22.0%/-82%. R, one of the most mutual symbols, represents a variation of ±xv%.^[xvi]

7. seven

   Interpret voltage codes . Y'all tin await up the EIA voltage chart for a total listing, merely most capacitors utilize one of the following common codes for maximum voltage (values given for DC capacitors only):^[17]

   • 0J = 6.3V
   • 1A = 10V
   • 1C = 16V
   • 1E = 25V
   • 1H = 50V
   • 2A = 100V
   • 2D = 200V
   • 2E = 250V
   • One letter codes are abbreviations of i of the common values higher up. If multiple values could apply (such as 1A or 2A), you'll need to piece of work it out from context.
   • For an estimate of other, less common codes, wait at the offset digit. 0 covers values less than x; 1 goes from x to 99; 2 goes from 100 to 999; then on.

8. 8

   Look upwards other systems. Quondam capacitors or capacitors made for specialist employ may apply unlike systems. These are not included in this article, simply you can use this hints to guide your further research:

   • If the capacitor has one long code showtime with "CM" or "DM," wait up the U.S. military capacitor nautical chart.
   • If there is no code but a series of colored bands or dots, look upwards the capacitor colour lawmaking.^[18]

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• Always measure the capacitance if you aren't able to read the information on the capacitor.

• The capacitor tin as well list information on operating voltages. The capacitor should support a higher voltage than the circuit you utilise it in; otherwise, it may break downward (perchance explode) under operation

• 1,000,000 picoFarads (pF) equals 1 microFarad (µF). Many common capacitor values are nigh this crossover area and could be commonly referred to using either unit designation. For example, a 10,000 pF cap is more than commonly referred to equally 0.01 uF.

• Although y'all can't determine capacitance by the shape and size alone, you can estimate at a rough range based on how the capacitor is beingness used:

  • The largest capacitors in a television monitor are in the power supply. Each ane tin can have a capacitance equally high equally 400 to 1,000 µF, which can exist lethal if handled incorrectly.^{[19] [20]}
  • The big capacitors in an antique radio typically range from 1-200 µF.^[21]
  • Ceramic capacitors are commonly smaller than your pollex and attach to the circuit with two pins. Used in many applications, they typically range from ane nF to ane µF, and occasionally up to 100 µF.^[22]

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• Be very careful when treatment large capacitors, which can concur a lethal amount of energy when charged. Always make sure to discharge them kickoff by using an appropriate resistor. Never brusque circuit them, equally this could cause an explosion.

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About This Article

Article Summary X

To read a big capacitor, first find the capacitance value, which will be a number or a number range most unremarkably followed by µF, M, or FD. Then look for a tolerance value, typically listed as a percent. Next, check the voltage rating, which is usually listed as a number followed past the messages V, VDC, VDCW, or WV. Finally, see if your capacitor is polarized by looking for plus or minus signs side by side to its terminals, which bespeak that it is. For more than on reading capacitors, including how to read compact capacitor codes, scroll downwardly!

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