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Capacitors and inductors are elements in electronic circuits, each possessing unique characteristics and purposes. It is necessary to understand these disparities to facilitate the design and analysis of circuits. This article delves into elucidating the disparities between capacitors and inductors concerning their structure, functionality, circuits, practical uses, and additional aspects.
What is Capacitor?
A capacitor is a fundamental electrical component with two terminals that can store energy by holding an electric charge. It comprises two conductive materials separated by a gap, often filled with an insulating material called a dielectric. The ability of a capacitor to store charges is called capacitance.
Capacitors work by keeping pairs of opposite charges apart. The most basic design is the parallel plate capacitor, made of two metal plates separated by a gap.
What is Inductor?
An inductor is a component, in electronics that stores energy by creating a field when electricity flows through it. It consists of a coil of wire wound around a core made of materials such as iron or ferrite. When current runs through the coil it generates a field that retains energy.
Inductors play essential in circuits for signal filtering, energy storage and signal processing. They are necessary for regulating flow. inductor can be found in various devices such, as transformers, motors and other electrical appliances.
Difference Between Capacitor and Inductor
The difference between capacitor and inductor can be understood from the table given below:
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Feature
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Capacitor
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Inductor
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Basic Function
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It stores electrical energy in an electric field.
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It stores energy in a magnetic field when current flows.
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Construction
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It consists of two conductive plates separated by a dielectric material.
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It consists of a coil of wire wound around a core material.
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Energy Storage
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It stores energy in the form of an electric field.
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It stores energy in the form of a magnetic field.
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Energy Release
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It releases energy when needed by discharging the stored charge.
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It releases energy when the magnetic field collapses, causing a voltage spike.
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Impedance
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Capacitive reactance decreases with increasing frequency.
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Inductive reactance increases with increasing frequency.
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Phase Shift
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It leads voltage with respect to current in AC circuits.
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It lags voltage with respect to current in AC circuits.
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Applications
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Used for energy storage, filtering, coupling, timing, and signal processing in electronic circuits.
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Used for energy storage, filtering, inductive coupling, and impedance matching in electronic circuits.
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Size
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Small in size compared to inductors.
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Large in size compared to capacitors.
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Polarization
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It is non-polarized, but some capacitors are polarized.
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Non-polarized.
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Uses of Capacitors and Inductors
In this section of the article, we will understand the difference between capacitors and inductors based on their uses.
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Purpose
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Capacitor
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Inductor
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Energy Storage
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Stores energy in an electric field
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Stores energy in an magnetic field
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Filtering
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Filters out unwanted signals or noise
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Filters signals selectively
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Timing
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Used in timing circuits for signal control
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Controls oscillation frequency in timing circuits
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Coupling
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Connects different parts of a circuit
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Transfers energy between circuits through magnetic coupling
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Motor Starters
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Used in motor starter circuits to provide an initial boost of power
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Not commonly used in motor starter circuits
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Voltage Regulation
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Not used for voltage regulation
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Helps stabilize output voltage in voltage regulators
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Conclusion
Capacitors and inductors are important components in electronic circuits and each of them serve unique functions. Capacitors store energy in an electric field, while inductors store energy in a magnetic field. They have different applications and characteristics, such as energy storage, filtering, and impedance matching. Understanding these differences is essential for designing and analyzing circuits effectively.
Also, Check
FAQs on Difference Between Capacitor And Inductor
Why do we use inductors instead of capacitors?
We opt for inductors over capacitors because inductors hold energy within a field whereas capacitors store energy in a field. Depending on the circuit’s needs, like energy storage, filtering or impedance matching an inductor might be a choice, than a capacitor.
What is the difference between resistor capacitor and inductor?
In circuits resistors regulate current, whereas capacitors store energy in a field and inductors store it in a magnetic field.
What is the function of capacitor and inductor?
A capacitor stores energy in an electric field, while an inductor stores energy in a magnetic field.
What is difference between capacitance and inductance?
Capacitance and inductance are both properties of electronic components, but they work in different ways:
- Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to store electrical energy by holding charges between two plates separated by a dielectric material.
- Inductance is the ability of an inductor to store energy in the form of a magnetic field when current flows through it, typically in a coil of wire wrapped around a core material.
What is the phase difference between inductor and capacitor?
The angle between the phases of voltage across the inductor and voltage across the capacitor is 180 degrees.
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