"A", "B/C", "D", "E", "F", "G", "I/L", "M/N/O", "P", "Q/R", "S", "T", "V/Z"
Air Dielectric: A Variable capacitor that uses air as its dielectric. Reference MIL-C-92 as an example of an air dielectric trimmer capacitor.
Capacitor Value Change with Time
Aging: A term used to describe the negative, logarithmic capacitance change that takes
place in ceramic capacitors with time [Shelf Life]. The more stable dielectrics have the lowest aging rates. The change in properties of a material with time. Also see; Re-aging.
Electrolytic Can
Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor: A polarized capacitor that uses Aluminum foil as the capacitor plates. The two conducting aluminum foils, one of which is coated with an insulating oxide layer, and a paper spacer soaked in electrolyte are rolled and placed inside a metal can. Electrolytic capacitors need to be installed in DC circuits such that the voltage applied to the leads always retain the same polarity; i.e. the positive pin always has a more positive potential than the negative side of the device. Aluminum electrolytic capacitors can also be manufactured for use in intermittent reversed voltage or a.c. applications by using two anode foils in place of one anode and one cathode foil. Refer to the Electrolytic Capacitor listing. [Manufacturers of Electrolytic Capacitors]
Ambient temperature: Average or mean temperature of the medium (air, gas, liquid, etc.,) surrounding an object. For data sheet ratings the component specifications are provided for an ambient temperature of 250C.
Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Diagram
Anode: Positive electrode of a capacitor. The electrode through which a direct current enters a discrete part of an electrical circuit. The longer lead of a polarized capacitor.
Arcover Voltage: The minimum voltage required to create an arc between electrodes separated by an insulation.
Array: A capacitor Array is a group of capacitors contained within the same package. In the case shown below four capacitors contained within an 8 pin Single In-Line Package [SIP]. A capacitor Array is similar to a capacitor network but do not connect to each other. An array contains capacitors which form no connections between any of the other components. Read more on capacitor networks [graphics and information].
Capacitor Array, 8-Pin SIP
Axial Leaded: Both leads of the component travel along the axis, one lead on either side of the component. An axial lead part is a through-hole component, as the leads of the device protrude through the Printed Wiring Board [PWB].
Axial-Lead Electrolytic Can
Next set of Capacitor Terms
