Different types of capacitors have different ways of representing the capacitance values . Capacitors like electrolytic capacitors, non- polarised capacitors, large ac oil filled paper capacitors have capacitance and voltage, tolerance values written on its body using numbers and letters.Some capacitors have values represented using color code. Let us see how to read capacitance value in these two methods

How to read capacitor value written on capacitors??

Let us see how to read the capacitor values with numbers and alphabets. Along with the capacitance other values like tolerance and voltage were written on the capacitor itself if there is enough space. But for small capacitors like ceramic capacitors , as the space is not enough , capacitor values are represented using shorthand notation.

Reading capacitor values on Large capacitor(cylindrical capacitors)

For large capacitors, generally capacitor value is written on the side of the capacitor.

·         The above figure shows a 22 micro farad capacitor .Capacitance value is expressed in Farads (F or FD).

·         Here are the units used for representing capacitor value .Micro farad (uf,µf,mF (or) MF) , Nano farad ( nF ), Pico farad(pF).

·         Voltage rating on the capacitor indicates the maximum value voltage that capacitor can handle.Voltage rating on the capacitor is indicated by V, VDC, and VDCW.

·         VAC represents that capacitor is designed for AC circuit.

·         It is to be noted that DC rating capacitors should not be used for AC unless you have proper knowledge to use that capacitor. Some capacitors have voltages represented in codes instead of value.

·         Tolerance value is indicated using % symbol before the number. Tolerance value represents the variation of capacitance value .

Capacitance Color Code Table