Calculator · Electrical Engineering
Capacitors in Series & Parallel Calculator
In parallel, capacitances add and every capacitor sees the same voltage. In series, reciprocals add and every capacitor carries the same charge, so the smallest capacitor takes the largest voltage.
Inputs
Edit the list, then leave the field to recalculate. Example: 10e-6, 22e-6.
Results
Equivalent capacitance C_eq
Total charge Q = C_eq·V
Total stored energy
| Capacitor | C | Q | V | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | 10 µF | 71.97 µC | 7.197 V | 259 µJ |
| C2 | 22 µF | 71.97 µC | 3.271 V | 117.7 µJ |
| C3 | 47 µF | 71.97 µC | 1.531 V | 55.11 µJ |
Series: every capacitor carries the same charge Q; the voltages add to V. Σ energies = 431.8 µJ.
Assumptions
- · ideal linear capacitors, no leakage
- · series groups started uncharged together, so every series group carries the same charge
Explore in the Lab
The Lab holds the same network at the total voltage, so each capacitor shows the same share.
Technical reference
Series: 1/C_eq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + … + 1/Cn
Parallel: C_eq = C1 + C2 + … + Cn
Series: Q_k = Q = C_eq·V, V_k = Q/C_k; parallel: V_k = V, Q_k = C_k·V
- C_k
- capacitance k (> 0)[F]
- V
- total applied voltage[V]
Series distribution assumes the capacitors started uncharged together (no trapped charge between them).