Capacitor Padding Calculator

Introduction

This calculator works out the values needed for capacitors C1 and C2 in the diagrams below to achieve a specified range of output capacitance Cout, and shows the range of capacitance achieved when using specified values for C1 and C2. The maths behind the calculator is described here.

Usage

Edit the values in the first four boxes. The calculator will then show the values of C1 and C2 needed to achieve this range for each configuration. Note that errors will occur if unachievable ranges are specified. Once calculated, these values can be edited to see the effect of chosing different values (e.g. to pick from E12 values or simply to experiment).

Requirements:
Variable Capacitor Range Min Max
Needed Capacitance Range Min Max

Configuration a)
C1 C2

Capacitance range at C_out:
C_min:

C_max:

Max voltage, % of voltage at C_out:
CV:

-

(C_min)
C1:

-

(C_max)
C2:

-

(C_min)

Configuration b)
C1 C2

Capacitance range at C_out:
C_min:

C_max:

Max voltage, % of voltage at C_out:
CV:

-

(C_min)
C1:

-

(C_max)
C2:

100%

(always)