Capacitor Color Codes for Identification Chart Capacitors may be marked with 4 or more colored bands or dots. The colors encode the first and second most significant digits of the value, and the third color the decimal multiplier in picofarads. Additional bands have meanings which may vary from one type to another.
In the capacitor color code system, if the capacitance value consists of a decimal point, then it is not easy to read the capacitance value which results in misreading. Thus, decimal points are mostly avoided and Pico (p) or Nano (n) are used to represent decimal point number’s weight and position.
In general, four or more than four colors or dots are used to mark capacitors. If we consider a four color band capacitor, then the first and second colors marked on the capacitor represents the value of the capacitor and the third color band represents the decimal multiplier in picofarads.
For example: 1st Color Band = First Number of Value of Capacitor. 2nd Color Band = Second Number of value of Capacitor. 33rd Color Band = The number of Zeros (as multiplier) with the first two digits of capacitor (In numbers). 4th Color Band = Tolerance in percentage. 5th Color Band = Temperature coefficient. Related Posts:
To read the value of a capacitor, the user must consult the markings printed on its body. These markings indicate the capacitance of the capacitor in farads (F) as well as its nominal voltage. Capacitors generally use a capacitance color code similar to the color code of resistors, but sometimes the code is 3 numbers and 1 letter.
Color codes for non-polarized mica molded and polyester capacitors like ceramic and disc capacitors are an old school method (BS-EN 60062) and hence replaced by the capacitor marking ( BS-1852 Standard) with alphanumeric codes.