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How Capacitors Work -- The Learning Circuit 29

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The Learning Circuit
sudo Sergeant
The Ben Heck Show

 

Karen gets into the nitty gritty of how capacitors, explaining how the metal plates a dielectric manipulate electric charge to store energy. Learn about what materials are used to make capacitors, how to read their values, and what happens when they are put in series or parallel.

  • Hi Karen;

    Good content and excellent presentation.

    John

  • Great video - awesome graphics for future reference.

     

    My favorite capacitor application for the masses is the home HVAC compressor startup capacitor.  It costs $10 or less, but saves you a $500 HVAC emergency "repair" when it hits 90F outside.

     

    This capacitor is used to store enough electrons to give your air conditioner/heat pump refrigerant compressor the kickstart it needs to spin when the unit is cycled on.  It gets so much action over time that it typically is the first serviceable part to go on a unit.  Of course, the trade doesn't advertise that.  It only takes a Phillips screw driver to access it and you simply pull off the female wire connectors to swap it out. 

     

    It makes a great house warming gift for makers who just bought a new home!

     

    See ya',

    -Sean