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Capacitors in series
When you connect two or more capacitors one after the other one (like in the picture below), we say that they are connected in series.
These capacitors can be replaced by a single capacitor with the equivalent value of the capacitors that are connected in series.
To get the value (capacitance) of the equivalent capacitor we use the following formula:
1/CT = 1/C1+1/C2+1/C3+1/C4
It is easy to make this calculation for any number of capacitors using the most general formula:
1/CT = 1/C1+1/C2+.........+1/CN
where N is the number of capacitors that are connected in series. See the picture
Capacitors in parallel
The picture shows how to connetc 4 capacitors in parallel. The terminals on either side of the elements are connected together (connected to the same point).
To find the equivalent capacitor value we use the formula:
CT = C1 + C2 + C3 + C4
It easy to make a calculation for any number of capacitors with the most general formula:
CT = C1 + C2 + .........+ CN
where N is the number of capacitors.
As we allready notice, to get the equivalent capacitor value (capacitance) of a set of capacitors in parallel we only have to add the capacitors values of the original circuit.
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Inductors in series and parallel
Electrolytic Capacitor
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Capacitor: Relation among charge, voltage & capacitance
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