Principles of Electrical

Technology

Chapter 3 – Electric Fields and

Capacitor
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this chapter, students are able to:

• Understand the concept of electric fields and insulating

materials
• Understand the concept of capacitance
• Explain the concept of energy storage in electric field.
• Describe the capacitance properties
• Calculate the total capacitance
 Coulomb’s Law
The movement of the charge is then
creating an electric field.

Where;
Q1 & Q2 value of charge in Coulomb
Ɛ0 – permittivity of free space
(8.854 x 10-12)
d- distance between the two charge
The line between two charge is called
electric force line or electric flux, psi (Ψ).
Total of electric flux makes up electric
field

The electric field is non uniform

 Coulomb’s Law
• From Chap 1, electricity defined as a movement
of charge from a specific direction.
• Charge is the basic elementary properties of a
matter or material.
• Divided into two ; positive (proton) and negative
(electron)
• Same charge repel each other while different
charge attract to each other.
• Force exists between two charge; repulsive force
and attractive force
 Electric Field
• Uniform electric field can be obtained between
two parallel charge.

• The strength of the electric field between to

charge can be measured by:
 Flux Density
• The electric flux has the same numerical value
of the charge.
 For example : 50 mC charge produce 50 mC of electric flux.
• The density of the flux can be define as the
amount of flux per m²
 Example
1. Two parallel plates of dimensions 30 mm by 20 mm are
oppositely charged to a value of 50 mC. Calculate the density of
the electric field existing between them.

2. Two parallel metal plates, each having a cross sectional area of

400 mm² , are charged from a constant current source of 50μA
for a time of 3 seconds. Calculate:
(a) the charge on the plates
(b) the density of the electric field between them.

3. Two parallel plates separated by a dielectric of thickness 3 mm

acquire a charge of 35 mC when connected to a 150 V source. If
the effective cross sectional area of the field between the plates
is 144 mm² , calculate:
(a) the electric field strength
(b) the flux density.
 Capacitance and Capacitor
• Capacitance is the ratio of the charge and the voltage
of the system.

• Capacitor is an electrical component that has been

design to have a specific value of capacitance.
• It consist of two separated parallel plate to represent
positive charge and negative charge
• The separation between the two plates are call
dielectric material
 Example
• Two parallel plates, separated by an air space
of 4 mm, receive a charge of 0.2 mC when
connected to a 125 V source. Calculate :
(a) the electric field strength between the
plates
(b) the cross sectional area of the field
between the plates if the flux density is 15
C/m²
(c) the capacitance of the plates.
 Capacitor Value
• To obtain the value of the capacitor, few
consideration has to take into account which
is the cross sectional area of the plate, the
distance between the plates, permeability of a
free space and the relative permeability of
dielectric material used.
 Example
• A capacitor is made from two parallel plates of dimensions 3 cm
by 2 cm, separated by a sheet of mica 0.5 mm thick and of relative
permittivity 5.8. Calculate:
(a) the capacitance
(b) the electric field strength if the capacitor is charged to a
voltage of 200 V.
• A capacitor of value 0.224 nF is to be made from two plates each
75 mm by 75 mm, using a waxed paper dielectric of relative
permittivity 2.5. Determine the thickness of paper required.
• A capacitor of value 47 nF is made from two plates having an
effective cross sectional area of 4 cm 2 and separated by a ceramic
dielectric 0.1 mm thick. Calculate the relative permittivity.
 Exercise
• A voltage of 180 V creates an electric field in
a dielectric of relative permittivity 3.5,
thickness 3 mm and of effective cross
sectional area 4.2 cm² . Calculate the flux and
flux density thus produced.
 Series Capacitor
• Total capacitance
• V = V1 + V2 + V3
V1 = Q /C1
V2 = Q /C2
V3 = Q /C3

Charge are same for all capacitor

The total capacitors

 Example
• A 6μF and a 4μF capacitor are connected in
series across a 150 V supply. Calculate:
(a) the total capacitance
(b) the charge on each capacitor
(c) the voltage developed across each.

• Capacitors of 3μF, 6μF and 12μF are connected

in series across a 400 V supply. Determine the
voltage across each capacitor.
 Capacitor in parallel
• Total capacitance
• Q1 = VC1
Q2 = VC2
Q3 = VC3
 Combination Capacitor
• The same analysis required as per resistor but
the total capacitor is as per the capacitor
principle.
 Example
• determine :
– (a) the charge drawn from the supply,
– (b) the charge on the 8 μF capacitor,
– (c) the p.d. across the 4 μF capacitor, and
– (d) the p.d. across the 3 μF capacitor.
 Function of Capacitor
• The main function of the capacitor is to store
the energy. When the capacitor is connected
to a voltage it will charge up and when it
disconnect it will hold the charge and release
it gradually. The amount of energy stored in a
capacitor is defined:
 Example
• A 3μF capacitor is charged from a 250 V d.c.
supply. Calculate the charge and energy
stored. The charged capacitor is now removed
from the supply and connected across an
uncharged 6μF capacitor. Calculate the
potential difference between the plates and
the energy now stored by the combination
Summary of formulas