1. What is Series Capacitance?

When capacitors are connected in series, their equivalent capacitance is less than any individual capacitance in the series. This is different from parallel connections where capacitances add directly.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the series capacitance formula:

Where:

• \( C_{eq} \) — Equivalent capacitance (F)
• \( C_1, C_2, \ldots, C_n \) — Individual capacitances (F)

Explanation: The reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance equals the sum of reciprocals of individual capacitances.

3. Importance of Series Capacitance Calculation

Details: Calculating equivalent series capacitance is essential for circuit design, energy storage calculations, and understanding charge distribution in series configurations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter at least two capacitance values in farads (F). You can enter a third optional capacitor. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does series capacitance decrease?
A: In series, the same charge flows through all capacitors but the voltage divides, resulting in lower overall capacitance.

Q2: What happens if I add more capacitors in series?
A: The equivalent capacitance decreases further with each added capacitor.

Q3: Can I use this for mixed units (μF, nF)?
A: Convert all values to the same unit (preferably farads) before calculation.

Q4: What's the difference between series and parallel?
A: Parallel capacitors add directly (C_eq = C₁ + C₂ + ...), while series capacitors add reciprocally.

Q5: What if one capacitor is much smaller than others?
A: The smallest capacitor dominates the equivalent capacitance in series.