[Test-Equipment] Question about series/parallel capacitors

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barry" <n4buq at knology.net>
To: <test-equipment at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2011 3:59 PM
Subject: [Test-Equipment] Question about series/parallel 
capacitors


>I need a 0.5uF capacitor that's capable of handling 600VDC. 
>I have several 0.5uF that are rated at 250V so I plan to 
>connect them in series/parallel to get 0.5uF at 750V.
>
> The question I have is does it matter how these are 
> connected?
>
> I have the choice of:
>
> A. Connecting three sets of three capacitors each in 
> parallel to produce 1.5uF and then connecting the three 
> sets in series yielding 0.5uF.
>
> or
>
> B. Connecting three sets of capacitors in series and then 
> connecting the resulting 1/6uF capacitors in parallel to 
> again make 0.5uF.
>
>
> Both methods will give me 0.5uF but it I'm wondering if 
> one way has any advantages.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks,
> Barry - N4BUQ
>
    In theory it should make no difference, in practice I 
think one way results in less problems eith uneven voltage 
division between caps, that is making up three 1.5uf caps of 
three paralleled 0.5 caps and seriesing them to get the 
higher voltage. If these are high quality film caps it may 
make no practical difference.


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk at ix.netcom.com