7/21/2019 Electrolytic Capacitor - What is Its Definition and Types

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Electrolytic Capacitor - What is itsDefinition and Types?

Electrolytic capacitor is an electronic component, which is used when very large

capacitance values are required. This component contains a semi-liquidelectrolyte solution, which serves as the second electrode, generally thecathode.

The capacitance has a thin layer of oxide that is generated electro-chemicallyas thin film of thickness less than ten microns. The insulating layer is thinenough to make capacitors that have a large value of capacitance good for asmall physical size as the distance between the plates.

The maximum number of electrolytic types of capacitors is usually polarized. nother words, the !" voltage must be of the correct polarity while applied to thecapacitor, i.e., positive to the positive terminal and negative to the negativeterminal because an inappropriate polarization will break down the insulating

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oxide layer which can lead to the permanent damage. Electrolytic capacitorsthat are polarized have their polarity marked with a negative sign denoting thenegative terminal. This is polarity must be followed strictly.

#enerally, Electrolytic "apacitors are used in !" power supply circuits. Their

large capacitance and small size reduce the ripple voltage for coupling anddecoupling applications. They are available in two basic forms, including $luminum Electrolytic "apacitors and Tantalum Electrolytic "apacitors.

 $luminum Electrolytic "apacitors are further subdivided into two types% the plainfoil type and the etched foil type. These capacitors have high capacitance valuesfor their size due the considerable thickness of the aluminum oxide film and highbreakdown voltage.

The foil plates of the capacitors are anodized with a !" current, determining

which side of the plate is positive and which one is negative.

&urther, tfoil type has the aluminum oxide on the anode and cathode foils thatchemically imprinted in order to increase its surface area and permittivity. Thistype of capacitor has tolerance range up to '(). The capacitance*s value of thistype of capacitor ranges from +u& up to ,(((u&.

Tantalum Electrolytic "apacitors and Tantalum eads are available in both wet/foil0 and dry /solid0 electrolytic types with dry or solid tantalum. 1olid tantalum

capacitors generally have manganese dioxide as their second terminal.

Applications for electrolytic capacitors

• These are used as filtering devices in a variety of power supplies toreduce the voltage ripple.

• These are used as a low pass filter in input and output as smoothing, if thesignal is a !" signal with a weak $" component.

• 2ow-E13 capacitors are generally used to reduce losses and avoidoverheating.

f you are looking for certified electrolytic capacitors, you can approach onlineElectrolytic "apacitor 4holesale !istributors in 51$.