Okuzeka
Electrical & Electronics Engineering vocabulary · Circuits and Components

Capacitor

Meaning in electrical & electronics engineering, with examples

/kəˈpæsɪtər/nounCore term

In electrical & electronics engineering, capacitor means: A component that stores electrical energy in an electric field between two plates. It is used to smooth supply voltages, filter noise, block DC and set timing.

In Turkish: kondansatör, kapasitör

How it is used

Found in almost every circuit. Engineers talk about ceramic, electrolytic and film capacitors, decoupling or bypass capacitors next to ICs, and a capacitor's voltage rating. Often shortened to 'cap': 'add a 100 nF cap'.

Example sentences

  1. Put a 100 nF capacitor as close as possible to the power pin of the chip.

  2. The electrolytic capacitor was fitted backwards and bulged after a few seconds.

Common collocations

  • decoupling capacitor
  • electrolytic capacitor
  • ceramic capacitor
  • capacitor voltage rating
  • discharge a capacitor
  • capacitanceThe ability of a component or structure to store electric charge, measured in farads (F). Practical values are usually in microfarads (µF), nanofarads (nF) or picofarads (pF).
  • resistorA component that limits current or divides voltage by providing a fixed amount of resistance. Its value is given in ohms and its power rating in watts.
  • inductorA component, usually a coil of wire, that stores energy in a magnetic field and resists changes in current. It is used in filters, switching power supplies and chokes.
  • filterA circuit that lets some frequencies pass and blocks or weakens others. Common types are low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch filters.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Circuits and Components

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: