- #1
laclry311
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- TL;DR Summary
- Can you charge multiple capacitors simultaneously?
What if you put two RC circuits in parallel?
Can you charge multiple capacitors simultaneously?
- Thread starter laclry311
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- Capacitors Charge Multiple
In summary, when two RC circuits are placed in parallel, the capacitors in each branch charge and discharge simultaneously. This is commonly seen in circuits, such as in power supply circuits where a combination of large electrolytic capacitors and smaller ceramic capacitors are used to store energy across a range of frequencies. The charging and discharging of each branch is determined by their individual RC time constants, which can be affected by the resistors isolating them from the charging source.
- #2
berkeman
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Sure, multiple capacitors are hooked in parallel all the time in circuits, and they get charged and discharged at the same time in parallel. A good example is at the output of a power supply circuit, where you will typically parallel "bulk" electrolytic capacitors (large value) and several smaller ceramic high frequency capacitors. That gives energy storage across a range of frequencies (low frequencies for the large "bulk" caps, and higher frequency decoupling by the smaller value ceramic caps).
If the capacitors are isolated from the charging source by resistors, then each branch will charge and discharge according to their RC time constants.
Does that help?
If the capacitors are isolated from the charging source by resistors, then each branch will charge and discharge according to their RC time constants.
Does that help?
Related to Can you charge multiple capacitors simultaneously?
1. What is the purpose of charging multiple capacitors simultaneously?
The purpose of charging multiple capacitors simultaneously is to increase the total amount of charge that can be stored. This can be useful in many applications, such as in electronic circuits or power storage systems.
2. Is it possible to charge capacitors of different values simultaneously?
Yes, it is possible to charge capacitors of different values simultaneously. However, the capacitors must be connected in parallel in order to charge them at the same time. This means that the positive terminals of all the capacitors are connected together, and the negative terminals are connected together.
3. What happens if capacitors of different voltages are charged simultaneously?
If capacitors of different voltages are charged simultaneously, the higher voltage capacitor will charge the lower voltage capacitor until they reach the same voltage. This is because the capacitors are connected in parallel, allowing charge to flow between them until they reach equilibrium.
4. Can charging multiple capacitors simultaneously damage them?
If the capacitors are connected in parallel and have the same or similar values, they will charge at the same rate and should not be damaged. However, if there is a large difference in values or if the capacitors are connected in series, it is possible for one capacitor to become overcharged and potentially damaged.
5. How can I calculate the total charge stored in multiple capacitors charged simultaneously?
The total charge stored in multiple capacitors charged simultaneously can be calculated by adding the individual charges of each capacitor. This can be determined by multiplying the capacitance (C) of each capacitor by the voltage (V) across it. The total charge (Q) can be represented by the equation Q = C1V1 + C2V2 + C3V3 + ..., where C1, C2, C3, etc. are the capacitance values and V1, V2, V3, etc. are the corresponding voltages.
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