Question

Two capacitors connected in series C1: 100uF, 25V and C2: 300uF, 35V, both are supplied by E= 100V. Verify which capacitor will be damaged

Answer 1

Given Information:

Capacitor 1 = C₁ = 100 μF

Capacitor 2 = C₂ = 300 μF

Voltage rating of capacitor 1 = 25 V

Voltage rating of capacitor 2 = 35 V

Supply voltage = Vs = 100 V

Required Information:

Which capacitor will be damaged = ?

Answer:

Capacitor 1 will get damaged

Step-by-step explanation:

The given two capacitors are connected in series, the equivalent capacitance will be

`C_(eq) = (C_(1) \cdot C_(2) )/(C_(1)+C_(2))\\\\C_(eq) = (100\cdot 300)/(100+300) \\\\C_(eq) = 75 \: \mu F`

The voltage across the capacitor 1 is

`V_(1) = (C_(eq) )/(C_(1) ) V_(s) \\\\V_(1) = (75 )/(100) 100 \\\\V_(1) = 75 \: volts`

Since the voltage rating of capacitor 1 is 25 volts, it will get damaged because 75 volts are much greater as compared to its voltage rating.

The voltage across the capacitor 2 is

`V_(2) = (C_(eq) )/(C_(2) ) V_(s) \\\\V_(2) = (75 )/(300) 100\\\\V_(2) = 25 \: volts`

Since the voltage rating of capacitor 2 is 35 volts, it will not get damaged because 25 volts are less as compared to its voltage rating.