Parallel Capacitor Calculator
Equivalent capacitance, total charge, and stored energy for parallel capacitors; supports pF / nF / µF / mF / F suffixes, up to 12 capacitors.
Key points
Parallel Capacitor Calculator: Equivalent capacitance, total charge, and stored energy for parallel capacitors; supports pF / nF / µF / mF / F suffixes, up to 12 capacitors. Formula: C_p = ΣCi | Q = C_p·V | E = ½·C_p·V². Enter parameters on the DD-CAT IDE online tool page to get results instantly, with a calculation-model diagram that updates with the inputs. Parallel capacitances add directly; the equivalent voltage rating is the lowest single rating and does not increase. To raise voltage rating, connect in series; series reduces total capacitance and needs balancing resistors to equalize voltage.
Inputs
C_p = ΣCi | Q = C_p·V | E = ½·C_p·V²Calculation model (updates with parameters)
| Equivalent parallel capacitance C_p | 11.1 µF | Parallel capacitances add directly |
| Number of capacitors | 3 | 100 nF ~ 10 µF |
| Branch details | 100 nF + 1 µF + 10 µF | All in parallel; observe polarity for polarized capacitors |
| Total charge Q | 111 µC | Q = C_p·V，工作Voltage 10 V |
| Total stored energy E | 555 µJ | ½·C_p·V²（充满时） |
| Capacitance range (±20%) | 8.88 µF ~ 13.32 µF | Estimated from common electrolytic tolerance; use actual specs for ceramic / film |
| Parallel voltage rating | 16 V | Lowest single rating; parallel connection does not raise it |
| Voltage margin | 1.60 × | ≥1.2× recommended; 80% derating is safer for electrolytics |
Engineering notes
- Parallel capacitances add directly; the equivalent voltage rating is the lowest single rating and does not increase.
- To raise voltage rating, connect in series; series reduces total capacitance and needs balancing resistors to equalize voltage.
- At power-up a parallel bank looks like a short with large inrush; check fuses, current-limiting resistors, and discharge resistors for large banks.
- For parallel electrolytics, observe polarity and ripple-current sharing; use the same type and batch when possible, with sharing / balancing measures if needed.
FAQ
- What is Parallel Capacitor Calculator for?
- Equivalent capacitance, total charge, and stored energy for parallel capacitors; supports pF / nF / µF / mF / F suffixes, up to 12 capacitors.
- What is the formula for Parallel Capacitor Calculator?
- Core formula: C_p = ΣCi | Q = C_p·V | E = ½·C_p·V². The tool returns results instantly using this formula and the selected parameters.
- What engineering notes should I keep in mind when using Parallel Capacitor Calculator?
- Parallel capacitances add directly; the equivalent voltage rating is the lowest single rating and does not increase. To raise voltage rating, connect in series; series reduces total capacitance and needs balancing resistors to equalize voltage. At power-up a parallel bank looks like a short with large inrush; check fuses, current-limiting resistors, and discharge resistors for large banks. For parallel electrolytics, observe polarity and ripple-current sharing; use the same…