The main difference between a capacitor and an inductor is that an inductor is used to store the energy in the form of a magnetic field, whereas a capacitor stores the energy in the form of an electric field. This article gives an overview of what is a capacitor, and inductor, their differences, types, uses, and characteristics.
What are a Capacitor and Inductor?
The capacitor is an electrical component that is made up of two conductors alienated by an insulator. When a potential difference is supplied to both terminals, an electric field is formed and electric charges are stored. Based on the characteristics, the capacitor is widely used to build electronic circuits.
As a die electric substance, any non-conducting substance can be used. But, some of the preferred dielectric materials are Teflon, Mylar, porcelain, mica, and cellulose. A capacitor is defined based on the material chosen like electrode or dielectric. The dielectric material is mainly used to help in storing electrical energy. The capacitor’s value can be determined by the size of the terminals, the distance between the two terminals, and the kind of material used.
The Different Types of The Capacitor
- Electrolytic Capacitor.
- Mica Capacitor.
- Paper Capacitor.
- Film Capacitor.
- Non-Polarized Capacitor.
- Ceramic Capacitor.
Difference Between Capacitor and Inductor In Tabular Form
| Capacitor | Inductor |
| capacitor resists changes in voltage | inductor resists changes in current |
| voltage in a capacitor doesn’t change instantaneously | current in an inductor doesn’t change instantaneously |
| The unit of capacitance is Farad | The unit of inductance is Henry |
| Voltage lags current by π/2 | Current lags voltage by π/2 |
| The capacitor functions as a short circuit for alternating current | Inductor functions as a short circuit for direct current |
| Energy is stored in the electric field | Energy is stored in the magnetic field |
Uses of Capacitor
- High Voltage Electrolytic capacitor is used in power supplies.
- An Axial Electrolytic capacitor is used in a lower voltage smaller size for general-purpose where huge capacitance principles are needed.
- High Voltage disk ceramic capacitor is a small size & the value of capacitance and excellent tolerance characteristics.
- The Metalised Polypropylene capacitor is a small size for values up to 2µF and has good reliability.
- The surface mount capacitor is a relatively high capacitance for size attained by several layers. In fact, numerous capacitors are in parallel.
Uses of Inductor
- Inductors are extensively used in AC applications like TV, radio, etc.
- Chokes – The main property of an inductor is used in power supply circuits where AC mains supply desires to be changed to a DC supply.
- Energy store – It is used to make the spark that catches fires the petrol in automobile engines.
- Transformers– Inductors with a distributing magnetic lane can be united to form a transformer.
Units of Measurement
- The units of capacitance are measured in farads denoted by F. It is equal and identical to a [Ampere-second Volt]. Since an Ampere is a [Coulomb second], we can also say that F = CV
- The Inductance is the value of an Inductor and it is measured in Henries. Actually, It is the SI unit of Inductance and equal to Volt-second Ampere.
Characteristics of Capacitor and Inductor
| Capacitor | Inductor |
| Capacitors connected in parallel unite like resistors in series | Inductors in parallel unite like resistors in parallel |
| Capacitors in series unite like resistors in parallel | The Inductor in series unites like a resistor in series |
Related Topics You May Also Read:
- Difference Between Force and Momentum
- How to convert degrees into radians
- Difference Between Photodiode & Phototransistor
- What is the difference between EFT and NEFT
- What is the difference between internal and external environment
