Capacitors in series Vs Capacitors in Parallel | Difference between Capacitors in series and Capacitors in Parallel
This page compares Capacitors in series Vs Capacitors in Parallel and mentions difference between Capacitors in series and Capacitors in Parallel.
Capacitors in series
As shown in the figure, if two capacitors are connected in series,
following can be derived.
• For two capacitors in series, total capacitance is expressed as follows.
➨1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2
➨Capacitors in series, total capacitance, C= C1*C2/C1+C2
➨For multiple capacitors in series, total capacitance, (1/C) = (1/C1) + (1/C2) + ...... + (1/Cn)
• SI Unit of capacitance is Farad.
It is also measured in micro farad, nano farad and pico farad.
Capacitors in parallel
As shown in the figure, if two capacitors are connected in parallel, following can be derived.
• For two capacitors in parallel, total capacitance is expressed as follows.
➨C= C1+C2
• Their voltages are same across capacitors but charges are different.
➨For multiple capacitors in parallel, total capacitance, C = C1 + C2 + ...... + Cn
Depending upon applications capacitors in series and capacitors in parallel configurations are used in the electronic circuit design.
Following table summarizes both capacitors in series and capacitors in parallel.
| Circuit Type | capacitors in series | capacitors in parallel |
|---|---|---|
| Schematic Diagram |
|
|
| Charge/Voltage | V = V1 + V2 + V3 +... V = Q/C1 + Q/C2 + Q/C3 +.... V = Q (1/C1 + 1/C2 +1/C3 + ...) V = Q/Ceq |
Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 ... = Sum of charges Q = C1V + C2V + C3V + ... |
| Equivalent Capacitance | 1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 ... = reciprocal sum of individual capacitances |
Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3 ... = Sum of individual capacitances |
RELATED LINKS
Variable capacitor
Variable resistor
Transformer basics and types
Ohm law
BJT vs FET
Diac vs Triac
JUGFET vs MOSFET
Analog vs Digital Multimeter
LED vs Laser
Microphone basics and types
Resistor basics
Electrolytic capacitor
Capacitor basics
Inductor basics
Transducer
Thermistor
Relay
Reed Switch
Photo Diode vs Photo Transistor
Battery
SCR or thyristor
Op-Amp
Halfwave rectifier vs Fullwave rectifier
what is difference between
difference between FDM and OFDM
Difference between SC-FDMA and OFDM
Difference between SISO and MIMO
Difference between TDD and FDD
Difference between 802.11 standards viz.11-a,11-b,11-g and 11-n
OFDM vs OFDMA
CDMA vs GSM
Bluetooth vs zigbee
Fixed wimax vs mobile