Series & ParallelCalculator
Calculate total capacitance and safe maximum voltage for capacitor banks. Switch between series and parallel modes to understand circuit behavior.
Capacitor Bank Calculator
Configure components and view results
Circuit Components
Total Capacitance
C = ΣCₙ
Max Safe Voltage
Limited by lowest voltage rating
Energy at max voltage
25.60 mJ
Parallel Connection
Connecting capacitors in parallel is the easiest way to increase total capacitance. Think of it as combining the plate surface area.
Voltage Rule
All capacitors share the same voltage. The maximum safe voltage equals the lowest rated capacitor.
Series Connection
Series connections increase total voltage rating at the cost of reduced capacitance. Useful for high-voltage applications.
Voltage Rule
Voltage divides inversely to capacitance. Smaller capacitors see higher voltage—use the charge balance method (Q = CV).
Important Safety Information
Series Voltage Division
In real circuits, leakage current varies between capacitors, causing uneven voltage distribution. Without balancing resistors, some capacitors may exceed their voltage rating.
Recommended Practice
Always use balancing resistors (typically 100kΩ-1MΩ) across each capacitor in series. Alternatively, de-rate the maximum voltage by 20-30% for safety margin.
Quick Reference Formulas
Parallel Capacitance
C = C₁ + C₂Series Capacitance
1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂Charge (Series)
Q = Q₁ = Q₂Energy Stored
E = ½CV²Need Capacitors for Your Bank?
We stock over 10,000 SKUs of electrolytic, film, and ceramic capacitors for all applications.