Series Capacitance

1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... + 1/Cn

Quick answer

This calculator solves 1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... + 1/Cn for 1/Ctotal. With Capacitor Values 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF, the result is 6 × 10⁻⁵.

Calculator

Result
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Formula

1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... + 1/Cn

Description

Capacitors in series combine using the reciprocal formula, which is the opposite of how resistors combine. The total capacitance is always less than the smallest individual capacitor. This happens because series connection effectively increases the distance between the outer plates while keeping the same charge on each capacitor. Series capacitors are used to increase the overall voltage rating of a capacitor bank, since each capacitor shares a portion of the total voltage. They are also used in impedance matching networks and RF tuning circuits.

Variables

  • Ctotal — Total equivalent capacitance (F)
  • C1, C2, ... Cn — Individual capacitor values (F)

Practical Notes

When capacitors are placed in series for higher voltage ratings, add balancing resistors in parallel with each capacitor to ensure equal voltage distribution. Without balancing, leakage current differences cause unequal voltage sharing that can exceed individual ratings.

Symbols and units

Symbol Meaning Default unit Accepted units
values Capacitor Values µF pF, nF, µF, mF, F

Step by step

  1. 1. What you know: Capacitor Values 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF
  2. 2. The relation: 1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... + 1/Cn
  3. 3. Substitute: values = 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF
  4. 4. Result: 1/Ctotal = 6 × 10⁻⁵

Totals for common combinations

Components Values Total
2 100 µF + 100 µF 50 µF
2 100 µF + 0.22 mF 68.75 µF
2 100 µF + 1 mF 90.91 µF
3 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF 33.33 µF
3 100 µF + 0.22 mF + 0.47 mF 59.98 µF
4 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF 25 µF
4 100 µF + 0.22 mF + 0.47 mF + 1 mF 56.58 µF
5 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF + 100 µF 20 µF

Worked examples

Minimum range

Given: Capacitor Values 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF

Result: 1/Ctotal = 6 × 10⁻⁵

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Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate Series Capacitance?

Use 1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... + 1/Cn. With Capacitor Values 100 µF, 0.22 mF, 0.47 mF, 1/Ctotal works out to 6 × 10⁻⁵.

What is the formula for Series Capacitance?

The formula is 1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... + 1/Cn. Capacitors in series combine using the reciprocal formula, which is the opposite of how resistors combine.

Related Concepts

All Capacitors formulas →
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