Electrolytic Capacitor

Introduction

Capacitors are components used for two purposes - filtering and coupling. They are powered in a circuit with DC sources to acquire charge and dissipate the charge. Out of four types of capacitors which are discussed in detail in the coming sections, the electrolytic capacitor has a special construction utilizing chemical gel as one of the electrodes. The gel, foil, and dielectric coating of aluminum oxide design help to provide a high capacitance value with minimum size. This article conveys the general concepts of capacitors with a focus on electrolytic capacitors. It is important to note that alternate current should not be connected with electrolytic capacitors since charging and discharging happen instantly without any purpose.

What is a Capacitor?

A capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores energy and dissipates energy in circuits. It has two terminals anode and a cathode. When a voltage of V volts is applied across capacitor terminals, if a charge of Q coulombs is developed across its plates, then the capacitance of the capacitor C (measured in Farads) is represented by the equation

$$\mathrm{C=\frac{Q}{V}}$$

Another way of measuring capacitance is when the dielectric constant is known (Let it be e) and when the distance between the plates is known (Let it be d) and when the area of plates is known (Let it be A). Then $\mathrm{C=\frac{\epsilon A}{d}}$ where $\mathrm{\epsilon =K\times \epsilon _{0}}$. Here, K is the dielectric constant of the material and $\mathrm{\epsilon}$ is that of the vacuum. When all other parameters are equal, when the plate area of a capacitor is increased, the capacitance increases. In the case of the distance between plates, closer plate spacing gives more capacitance. When permittivity, the dielectric constant is considered, the higher the permittivity, the greater will be the capacitance.

Principle of Capacitor

The principle of the capacitor can be explained by its characteristics of it as well as by its construction. The out-of-the-box features of a capacitor are that it has two terminals, a body with an insulated sleeve, and the value of capacitance and working voltage imprinted on the body. Different construction methods create different types of capacitors.

A schematic example of a capacitor with and without a polarised dielectric

KondensatorZDielektrykiem.svg: *KapasitorMetGepolariseerdeDiëlektrikum.svg: FJL derivative work: RJB1 (talk) derivative work: MikeRun, Capacitor-with-and-withoutdielectricum, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons

The capacitor working principle revolves around the charging cycle and discharge cycle. The plate connected to the positive end of the battery gets a positive charge while the plate identified with the negative terminal gets a negative charge. The charging continues till it reaches the same voltage as the battery. Further charging stops and the capacitor holds this charge till it is discharged by some means. During the discharge cycle, the plates get neutralized as current flows through a load. An electrical field is built around the capacitor during the charging cycle since the dielectric material (insulator) prevents any flow of charge between plates.

Types of Capacitor

Film Capacitors

One of the common types of capacitors is film capacitors. They are easily available and their dielectric properties make them unique. The dielectrics they use include polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyester, and Teflon. They are also called plastic capacitors. High reliability, long service life, withstanding high-temperature environments, etc are some of the advantages of plastic capacitors.

Dielectric Capacitors

Dielectric capacitors are a variation type, which uses multiple plates with rotors so that plates can be moved. These capacitors are used as variable-type capacitors and preset capacitors known as trimmers.

Ceramic Capacitors

Ceramic capacitors are also called disc capacitors. They are made with silver coating on ceramic disks. A 3-digit code printed on its body can be used to determine its capacitance value.

Electrolytic Capacitors

Electrolytic capacitors are made using a gel-type cathode (electrolyte) and thin-film layer as an anode. It can have high capacitance values with a small size and is hence used in coupling and decoupling applications.

Electrolytic Capacitor

The dielectric medium of electrolytic capacitors is a thin anodized aluminum oxide layer and an ionic liquid acts as one of the plates. It will give an insight if we get to know a capacitor deep inside visually and its output. Electrolytic capacitors are unique from other types based on the construction design. The diagram here reveals the capacitor's inner workings and the output characteristics are provided in the next section.

The above diagram shows the inside view of an electrolytic capacitor. The outer insulating sleeve covering the aluminum can is what we can see from the outside. The paddle tab on one of the terminals is an inner aluminum connection part. The anode is covered with a dielectric material, while the cathode is the electrolyte gel embedded in the paper spacer (brown). The rubber sealing and terminal leads are set diligently using a compact design. The anode, the cathode, and the dielectric are so placed that they are rolled together to reduce space.

Characteristics of Electrolytic Capacitor

Different characteristics of a capacitor are −

• Capacitance

• Working Voltage

• Type - plastic, ceramic, electrolytic, dielectric

• Leakage Current

• Tolerance

• Working Temperature

• Temperature Coefficient

• Equivalent series resistance

• Polarisation

Each of these features has to be explored in detail for a fair understanding and behavior of one concerning another. Some of the graphs that can be plotted are

• Temperature characteristics [X-axis] of capacitance [Y-axis]

• Frequency characteristics [X-axis] of capacitance [Y-axis]

• Leakage current [[Y-axis] Vs Time [X-axis]

• Temperature characteristics [X-axis] of leakage current [Y-axis]

The details of these graphs are not within the scope of this article.

The Material Used In Electrolytic Capacitor

The most used material in the construction of electrolytic capacitors is Tantalum, which is used for the anode. Aluminum and Niobium are also used in Electrolytic capacitors.

Conclusion

The electrolytic capacitors are the focal point of this article. However, the working principle and different types of capacitors are researched in detail. Capacitors are though a common component in electronic circuits, they are essential basic elements like a resistor or an inductor. Overall understanding of capacitors and detailed construction and characteristics of electrolytic capacitors are discussed here.

FAQs

Q1. Are capacitors sustainable?

Ans. Capacitors hold electric charge not in the form of chemical reactions, but instead with the dielectric property and plates. Hence the charging and discharging can happen any number of times without the need for a replacement. Though a capacitor needs to be recycled properly, it does not contain toxic elements like that of a rechargeable battery.

Q2. Is there any standard for the anode and cathode of an electrolytic capacitor?

Ans. The construction standard for electrolytic capacitors is that the anode is made from materials like aluminum, tantalum, niobium, etc. Electrolytes are used as cathodes. Because they use electrolytes as cathode, the capacitors get the name - electrolytic capacitor.

Q3. What is the disadvantage of electrolytic capacitors?

Ans. Electrolytic capacitors if not used with a voltage for a long time, the possibility of drying out happens when the dielectric material gets reduced in the anode foil

Q4. What is the advantage of electrolytic capacitors over ceramic capacitors?

Ans. Electrolytic capacitors have a higher capacitance-voltage product (CV) per unit volume when compared to ceramic capacitors or film capacitors.

Q5. Is there a right way for the capacitor terminals to be connected to a circuit?

Ans. Capacitors are polarity-sensitive components. If connected wrongly, they would not work, leaving the chance of blowing up if the voltage and current cross limits. So be careful with the polarity of capacitors while connecting.