Capacitor Charge Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the capacitor charge calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Stored Charge
charge_uc = capacitance_uf * voltage_vStored Charge (C)
charge_c = cap_farads * voltage_vVariables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
capacitance_uf | Capacitance(µF) | 100 |
voltage_v | Voltage(V) | 12 |
cap_farads | Derived value= capacitance_uf / 1000000 | calculated |
How It Works
Capacitor Charge
Q = C x V
Where Q is charge in coulombs, C is capacitance in farads, and V is voltage. A larger capacitance or higher voltage stores more charge.
Worked Example
100 uF capacitor charged to 12 V.
capacitance_uf = 100voltage_v = 12
- 01Q = 100 uF x 12 V = 1200 uC
- 02Q = 0.0001 F x 12 V = 0.0012 C
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a coulomb?
One coulomb is the charge transported by 1 ampere in 1 second.
Does charge remain after power off?
Yes, capacitors hold charge. Large capacitors can be dangerous even after power is removed.
How does charge relate to energy?
Energy = 0.5 x C x V^2. Charge and energy are different quantities.
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Capacitor Charge Calculator