# finding total capacitance in a series circuit

Discussion in 'General Electronics Chat' started by james7701, Feb 13, 2016.

1. ### james7701 Thread Starter Member

Jan 5, 2016
37
0
the formula Ct= C1xC2/C1+C2, please explain how to use this formula to calculate Ct.

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2. ### dl324 AAC Fanatic!

Mar 30, 2015
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Is this homework?

3. ### james7701 Thread Starter Member

Jan 5, 2016
37
0
no, just trying to figure out how to use that formula to get the answer that was provided.

Mar 30, 2015
8,726
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5. ### WBahn Moderator

Mar 31, 2012
24,555
7,691
First off, you need to be careful regarding order of operations. Since multiplication is done before addition, what you have written above is technically

Ct = ((C1 x C2) / C1) + C2

when what you want is

Ct = (C1 x C2) / (C1 + C2)

After that, what is it that is causing you problems? Your attachment shows values being substituted into that equation and a result being worked out.

Is it that you don't understand how (47 x 47) / (47 + 47) works out to 23.5 ?

Or does it have to do with why this formula gives the total capacitance of two capacitors in series?

6. ### james7701 Thread Starter Member

Jan 5, 2016
37
0
well, i have tried to work this problem many times and when I'm done the answer always comes out to 94

Jan 3, 2011
685
104
47x47=2209
2209/94=23.5

8. ### james7701 Thread Starter Member

Jan 5, 2016
37
0
so, basically i only needed to use the top portion of the formula?

9. ### Veracohr Distinguished Member

Jan 3, 2011
685
104
No, the top portion is (47x47), which is 2209. Then you divide that by (47+47) which is 94.

That equation is only valid for two impedances, and is derived from a more general equation which can be expanded to any number:

$\frac{1}{\frac{1}{Z1}+\frac{1}{Z2}+...\frac{1}{Zn}$

It applies to resistances or inductances in parallel, and capacitors in series.

10. ### WBahn Moderator

Mar 31, 2012
24,555
7,691
It would really help if you showed YOUR work, step by step, so that we can see what YOU are doing. That way we can see what you are doing wrong.

But it appears that you are probably just trying to plug numbers into a calculator and completely forgetting about order of operations.

To wit:

47 * 47 = 2209
2209 / 47 = 47
47 + 47 = 94

What you NEED to do is:

(47 * 47) = 2209
(47 + 47) = 94
2209 / 94 = 23.5

11. ### james7701 Thread Starter Member

Jan 5, 2016
37
0
sorry, yes i got already... just forgot the order. i was getting 2209 and 94 but, i was just doin the steps all wrong..