How to Use Electrolytic Capacitors

Electrolytic capacitors are a special kind of capacitor where one terminal of the capacitor is replaced with a quantity of electrolyte-bearing fluid. This allows the capacitor to store more energy, cheaply, than other capacitors of similar scale. They are very useful, but are usually limited to direct current compatibility, and are prone to leakage and decay when idle. Below are some of the most common applications for these capacitors.

General Repair

Electrolytic capacitors are found often in motherboards and other small-scale electronics, including audio equipment and LCD monitors. They are typically used because of their ability to filter electronic noise effectively from a power supply, and in applications where a high capacitance is preferable. Though useful, they are prone to decay in these applications, especially in motherboards. Fortunately, they are not difficult to replace, and with pliers and soldering iron, old capacitors can be removed and new ones installed without damaging the circuit.

Hobby Electronics

Electrolytic capacitors can be useful because of their ability to reject alternating currents while accepting direct currents. In combination with other devices, it's possible to invent a filter or switch with these capacitors. This allows the electrician to greatly control the energy moving through a circuit, and is a trait sometimes used in tune filtering. Meanwhile, the capacitor itself can be used as a form of sensor or information storage (as charge is gained or lost) in hobby applications. Installing heavy-duty capacitors in complicated sound systems is

Industrial Electronics

Electrolytic capacitors are often used in the devices made to start cars because of their high-frequency output. Though usually beyond hobbyist do-it-yourselfing, it is possible to repair a starter by fixing the capacitors on it. High-quality sound systems are also prone to using high numbers of capacitors because of the tone control such regulation can provide. Cracking open vintage tube-audio equipment, for example, will reveal a large number of electrolytic capacitors. Repairing these is often a major component of equipment restoration.