Javascripe Electronic Notebook
Plate Capacitors
by Martin E. Meserve

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Below is the equation for calculating the effective capacitance of 2, or more, metal plates separated by a dielectric. A different unit multiplier can be used for Metric units as opposed to US units.

    [Unit Mult] * KA
C = ---------------- (n-1)
           d

Where:
  C = Capacitance in pF
  A = Area of one side of one plate (mm2/in2)
  K = Dielectric constant of material between plates
  d = Separation of plates (mm/in)
  n = Number of plates
  Unit Mult = 0.0885 for Metric, 0.2248 US/Imperial

plate_cap.gif

Capacitance Calculator

In the appropriate boxes, to the right, enter the required data, and then click your mouse outside the entry area. The effective plate area and capacitance will be displayed in the text box. When entering the length and width, only consider the portion of the plates that overlap.

Measurement units can be mixed and matched. This is because all entries are converted to inches before calculating. Output data is presented in both US and Metric units.

The Dielectric Constants are listed in order from smallest to largest. For any of the dielectrics listed their constant will be listed next to the selection. However, if you want to use a dielectric constant that is different than the ones listed, select Other from the bottom of the list and then enter the constant in the space provided.

Plate Length

Plate Width

Plate Separation

Number of Plates

Dielectric Constant

Area/Capacitance