

#Standard 5% capacitor values code
Let us see an example of ceramic or disc capacitor for calculating the color code on it. īelow two tables shows the values of colors given on the capacitors. The number of dots or bands on a capacitor may vary from one another. For Mica capacitors color coding is shown in Dots while for tubular capacitors it may be shown using bands. Generally color codes are indicated using Dots or Bands.
#Standard 5% capacitor values how to
So let us see how to calculate the value of capacitance and voltage rating if they are represented using color coding. But some of these capacitors are still in use today. Color coding of capacitors is an age old technique.The tolerance value for these capacitors is represented using single letter.Each letter has a value. If it is 9 multiply it by using 0.1.For example 159 =15×0.1 =1.5pF.If the third digit is between 0 to 6 follow the above procedure.Capacitance is calculated as 10x 104 = 105pf = 0.1uf.Capacitor shown above has notation 104 on it.Step 2:Some of them have three numerical values. In place of R if the letters like p, n, u are present then they represent units of capacitance.Some capacitors have letters in the second position and numerical value in first position. If the notation on the capacitor has 2 digits and a letter (like 22M) ,then it has capacitance value of 22.Step 1: If the capacitor has two numerical values. Generally capacitance of ceramic, tantalum ,film capacitors is expressed in Pico Farad. Let us see how to calculate these values. So capacitance on these capacitors is represented using short hand notation. Reading the values of small capacitors(ceramic capacitors)Ĭeramic capacitors have very small area to print the value of capacitance. Tolerance value represents the variation of capacitance value. Tolerance value is indicated using % symbol before the number.Some capacitors have voltages represented in codes instead of value. It is to be noted that DC rating capacitors should not be used for AC unless you have proper knowledge to use that capacitor.VAC represents that capacitor is designed for AC circuit.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.Micro farad (uf,µf,mF (or) MF), Nano farad ( nF ), Pico farad(pF). Here are the units used for representing capacitor value.Capacitance value is expressed in Farads (F or FD). The above figure shows a 22 micro farad capacitor.Reading capacitor values on Large capacitor(cylindrical capacitors)įor large capacitors, generally capacitor value is written on the side of the capacitor. But for small capacitors like ceramic capacitors, as the space is not enough, capacitor values are represented using shorthand notation. Along with the capacitance other values like tolerance and voltage were written on the capacitor itself if there is enough space. Let us see how to read the capacitor values with numbers and alphabets. How to read capacitor value written on capacitors?

