Capacitor data sheets are usually available on manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you can soon easily download any capacitor data sheet from here. It is important to double check the model number and date of publication to make sure that you are using the right data sheet.
To read a large capacitor, first find the capacitance value, which will be a number or a number range most commonly followed by µF, M, or FD. Then look for a tolerance value, typically listed as a percentage. Next, check the voltage rating, which is usually listed as a number followed by the letters V, VDC, VDCW, or WV.
If the capacitor code consists of numbers and letters, the first two digits of the code will represent the capacitance value. Most capacitors will have a three-digit code printed on them. The first two digits are the value and the third digit is the multiplier.
As you can see, reading a ceramic capacitor is relatively easy once you know what to look for. Just remember that the first two digits represent the value and the third digit represents the tolerance. With this information in mind, you should be able to read any ceramic capacitor code without any trouble.
Most performance parameters of a capacitor are significantly dependent on the temperature at which a component is operated. The data sheet specifies the temperature range for which a component is designed. It also provides information on how changes in temperature affect other parameters, usually in form of performance curves.
(For ex: electrolytic and tantalum both are polarized but ceramics are non-polarized). In the case of electrolytic or tantalum SMD capacitors, their polarity is marked by a white or black line at one of the device’s ends. This line/bar indicates the positive terminal of the capacitor and the other side is the negative terminal.