What is a series capacitor?

In audio systems, capacitors in series are less common, but they can be found in specific applications such as tuning circuits. When capacitors are in series, the total capacitance decreases, which can be useful for fine-tuning the frequency response of audio filters.

Why are capacitors in series connected?

Capacitors in series draw the same current and store the same amount of electrical charge irrespective of the capacitance value. In this article, we will learn the series connection of capacitors and will also derive the expressions of their equivalent capacitance.

What is the total capacitance of a series connected capacitor?

The total capacitance ( C T ) of the series connected capacitors is always less than the value of the smallest capacitor in the series connection. If two capacitors of 10 µF and 5 µF are connected in the series, then the value of total capacitance will be less than 5 µF. The connection circuit is shown in the following figure.

What if two series connected capacitors are the same?

Then we can see that if and only if the two series connected capacitors are the same and equal, then the total capacitance, CT will be exactly equal to one half of the capacitance value, that is: C/2.

What does a series combination of two or three capacitors resemble?

The series combination of two or three capacitors resembles a single capacitor with a smaller capacitance. Generally, any number of capacitors connected in series is equivalent to one capacitor whose capacitance (called the equivalent capacitance) is smaller than the smallest of the capacitances in the series combination.

What is equivalent capacitance of capacitors in series?

When n numbers of capacitors are connected in series, then their equivalent capacitance is given by, From these two expressions, it is clear that the mathematical expression of equivalent capacitance of capacitors in series is in the same form as the expression of resistance in parallel.