Every year more and more often in domestic markets you can find capacitors not only of Russian, but also of imported origin. And many experience significant difficulties in deciphering the corresponding markings. How to figure it out? Indeed, in case of an error, the device may not work.
To begin with, we note that the marking of capacitors is done in this order:
- Nominal capacitance, where a coded designation consisting of numbers (often three or four) and letters can be used, where the letter indicates a decimal point, as well as a designation (uF, nF, pF).
- Permissible deviation from the nominal capacity (used and rarely taken into account, depending on the features and purpose of the device).
- Permissible rated voltage (otherwise it is also called permissible operating voltage) - is an essential parameter, especially when used in high-voltage circuits).
Marking of ceramic capacitors by nominal capacitance
Ceramic or fixed capacitors are among the most popular. Usually the capacity designation can be found on the case without a specific multiplier.
1. Capacitor labeling with three digits, where the first two show the mantissa and the last is the power value in base 10 to get the value in picofarads, i.e. indicates the number of zeros for the capacitance of the capacitor in pikafararads. For example: 472 would mean 4700 pF (not 472 pF).
2. Capacitor labeling with four digits - the system is similar to the previous one, only in this case the first three digits show the mantissa, and the last one is the power value in base 10 to get the rating in picofarads. For example: 2344=234102 pF=23400 pF=23.4 nF
3. Mixed marking or marking with numbers and letters. In this case, the letter indicates the designation (μF, nF, pF), as well as the decimal point, and the numbers indicate the value of the capacitance used. For example: 28p=28 pF, 3n3=3.3 nF. There are cases when the decimal point is denoted by the letter R.
Marking according to the permissible operating voltage parameter is often used when assembling do-it-yourself electronics. That is, the repair of fluorescent lamps will not do without a selection of the appropriate voltage of failed capacitors. In this case, this parameter will be indicated after the deviation and the rated capacity.
These are the main parameters used whencapacitors are marked. You need to know them when choosing the appropriate device. The marking of imported capacitors has its own differences, but is more consistent with what we have described in this article.
The right capacitor will help you create your own devices, as well as help repair existing ones. The main thing to remember is that only manufacturers who have proven their worth in the electrical engineering market can have a quality product. And for a product of this kind, quality is above all. Indeed, due to a malfunction of the capacitor, a more expensive component of the equipment or device may break. Your safety may also depend on them.
