What is a Capacitor?

A capacitor is an electronic component consisting of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material (dielectric). Capacitors are important components in electronic circuits, available in many forms, designed to store and release electrical charge in order to regulate and improve circuit performance.

Main functions of a capacitor:

• Store electrical charge: Capacitors can store electricity in the form of an electric field between the two plates.

• Discharge electrical charge: When the circuit requires energy, the capacitor discharges the stored electricity to supply the circuit.

• Improve circuit performance: Capacitors are often used in circuits to filter signals, improve power factor, and act as temporary storage devices for electronic equipment.

• Act as basic components in circuits: Capacitors are essential parts of almost all electronic circuits, such as power supply circuits, voltage control circuits, and many others.