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Capacitors - Stored Energy

Potential power and energy stored in capacitors.

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Capacitor - Energy Stored

The work done in establishing an electric field in a capacitor, and hence the amount of energy stored - can be expressed as

W = 1/2 C U2                     (1)

where

W = energy stored - or work done in establishing the electric field (joules, J)

C = capacitance (farad, F, µF)

U = potential difference (voltage, V)

Capacitor - Power Generated

Since power is energy dissipated in time - the potential power generated by a capacitor can be expressed as

P = dW / dt                    (2)

where

P = potential power (watts, W)

dt = dissipation time (s)

Example - Capacitor, energy stored and power generated

The energy stored in a 10 μF capacitor charged to 230 V can be calculated as

W = 1/2 (10 10-6 F) (230 V)2

    = 0.26 J

in theory - if this energy is dissipated within 5 μs the potential power generated can be calculated as

P = (0.26 Joules) / (5 10-6 s)

    = 52000 W

    = 52 kW

Be aware that in any real circuit, discharge starts at a peak value and declines. The energy dissipated is a very rough average power over the discharge pulse.

Capacitor - Time to Discharge at Constant Power Load

The time to discharge a capacitor at constant power load can be expressed as

dt = 1/2 C (Us2 - Uf2) / P               (3)

where

dt = discharge time (s)

Us = start voltage (V)

Uf = final voltage (V)

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  • Engineering ToolBox, (2008). Capacitors - Stored Energy. [online] Available at: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/capacitors-energy-power-d_1389.html [Accessed Day Mo. Year].

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