What Is a Fixed Capacitor?
A fixed capacitor is a fundamental component in electrical circuits, designed to store electrical charge. It achieves this through its basic structure, which comprises two conductive plates (conductors) separated by a non-conductive material (insulator). Common insulating materials include plastics, ceramics, and glass, which ensure that the conductive plates remain isolated from each other.
The capacitance of a fixed capacitor remains constant and is determined by its physical characteristics, including the surface area of the conductive plates, the distance between them, and the type of insulating material used. Capacitance, the measure of a capacitor’s charge storage capacity, is expressed in farads (F). Fixed capacitors typically have capacitance values ranging from picofarads (pF) to microfarads (μF), depending on their intended application.
While fixed capacitors can be employed in both DC and AC circuits, they are particularly valuable in AC applications due to their ability to maintain a consistent capacitance regardless of the frequency of the electrical current. This makes them essential components in filtering, timing, and coupling applications across a wide array of electronic devices.