1. What is the Capacitor Size Formula?

The capacitor size formula \( C = \frac{I \times t}{\Delta V} \) calculates the required capacitance to supply a specific current for a given time while allowing a specified voltage drop. This is essential in power supply design and energy storage applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the capacitor size equation:

Where:

• \( C \) — Capacitance in Farads (F)
• \( I \) — Current in Amperes (A)
• \( t \) — Time in seconds (s)
• \( \Delta V \) — Allowable voltage drop in Volts (V)

Explanation: The formula determines how much charge (in Coulombs) must be stored to deliver the required current for the specified duration while staying within the allowed voltage drop.

3. Importance of Capacitor Sizing

Details: Proper capacitor sizing is crucial for:

• Power supply smoothing and filtering
• Energy storage in backup systems
• Timing circuits
• Peak current supply
• Voltage regulation

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter current in Amperes (A)
• Enter time in seconds (s)
• Enter the maximum allowable voltage drop in Volts (V)
• All values must be positive numbers

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I need to use milliseconds instead of seconds?
A: Convert milliseconds to seconds by dividing by 1000 (e.g., 500ms = 0.5s).

Q2: How do I account for capacitor tolerance?
A: Add a safety margin (typically 20-50%) to the calculated value to account for component tolerances.

Q3: What about capacitor ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance)?
A: This calculator provides the ideal capacitance. In high-current applications, you'll also need to consider ESR to minimize voltage drop.

Q4: Can I use this for supercapacitors?
A: Yes, the formula applies to all capacitors, though supercapacitors typically have much higher capacitance values.

Q5: How does temperature affect the calculation?
A: Temperature affects capacitor performance but not this basic calculation. Consider temperature effects when selecting actual components.