View Full Version : Capacitor polarity
kesavan
Mar 24, 2008, 10:01 AM
In electrolytic capacitor, why polarity is important?
Credendovidis
Mar 24, 2008, 10:17 AM
In electrolytic capacitor, why polarity is important?
Because the increase in capacity (they normally have big values) is obtained by using materials that are sensitive to voltage polarisation.
If you connect the wrong way, the capacitor will leak, heat up, and even can explode.
;)
kesavan
Mar 24, 2008, 10:28 AM
I thing one plate is Aluminum & other is Aluminum oxide,
So what happen in capacitor when we change polarity?
Capuchin
Mar 24, 2008, 10:34 AM
If an electrolytic capacitor is reverse-biased, then the aluminium oxide layer that acts as the dielectric will reduce and be destroyed. Once this layer is destroyed, the 2 plates will be in contact and the device will short circuit, heating the device up causing leakage or explosion.
kesavan
Mar 27, 2008, 10:20 AM
How that destroyed?
Please tell more details
Capuchin
Mar 27, 2008, 11:00 AM
how that destroyed?
please tell more details
By reduction, the oxygen is stripped from the aluminium, like electrolysis.