Capacitor

DJQUIRK · Joined: Aug 07, 2006 Posts: 39 Location: ATLANTA GA

Having trouble understanding the Capacitor 101 page at Ray's site. I just bought a 100pc. ceramic disc cap assortment from the local Radio Shack ($4.50!!!). Problem for me is that the bag dosen't say anything about what values I'm getting(other than the voltage). The caps themselves just have a single number. They are:221,151,10,1,7, and blue ones that read: 561 on the first line and 1KV on the 2nd. Can anyone out there help me decipher the codes Question

Thank you.

Pehr · Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:47 am Post subject:

561 means 560 pF, it is 56 and one 0. If it would have said 562 it would mean 5600 pF (56 and two 0) = 5.6 nF

Other capacitors mention the value in uF, for example a cap with just the text 0.001 has a value of 1 nF (= 0.001 uF)

DJQUIRK · Joined: Aug 07, 2006 Posts: 39 Location: ATLANTA GA

Does that mean that the one that only has a 1 on it means it's a 1pf cap??

bigtex · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, not all capacitors follow "the code" of capacitor identification. Some will have a three digit number, some will have the value completely spelled out, and some will have a cryptic value, like the single 1 on yours. You may want to invest in at least an inexpensive combo multimeter. Like the ones that can check not just resistance, but capacitance, inductance, and maybe even test transistors and diodes. If you're getting started on building, they're almost indispensible.

Pehr · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:03 pm Post subject:

The one with the number 1 on it could be 1 uF.

bigtex · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:08 pm Post subject:

I suppose your announcement that you succesfully built your Sound Lab must mean that you had the right value, eh?