All capacitors in the parallel connection have the same voltage across them, meaning that: where V 1 to V n represent the voltage across each respective capacitor. This voltage is equal to the voltage applied to the parallel connection of capacitors through the input wires.
Tuning Circuits: Capacitors in series and parallel combinations are used to tune circuits to specific frequencies, as seen in radio receivers. Power Supply Smoothing: Capacitors in parallel are often used in power supplies to smooth out voltage fluctuations.
One important point to remember about parallel connected capacitor circuits, the total capacitance ( CT ) of any two or more capacitors connected together in parallel will always be GREATER than the value of the largest capacitor in the group as we are adding together values.
This equation, when simplified, is the expression for the equivalent capacitance of the parallel network of three capacitors: Cp = C1 +C2 +C3. (8.3.8) (8.3.8) C p = C 1 + C 2 + C 3. This expression is easily generalized to any number of capacitors connected in parallel in the network.
The total capacitance of this equivalent single capacitor depends both on the individual capacitors and how they are connected. Capacitors can be arranged in two simple and common types of connections, known as series and parallel, for which we can easily calculate the total capacitance.
These two basic combinations, series and parallel, can also be used as part of more complex connections. Figure 8.3.1 8.3. 1 illustrates a series combination of three capacitors, arranged in a row within the circuit. As for any capacitor, the capacitance of the combination is related to both charge and voltage:
When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitors'' capacitances. If two or more capacitors are connected in parallel, the overall effect is that of a single equivalent capacitor having the …