1. What is a Capacitor Colour Code Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the capacitance value of a capacitor based on its color bands.

Purpose: It helps electronics engineers, technicians, and hobbyists quickly identify capacitor values without memorizing the color code system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( C \) — Capacitance in picofarads (pF)
• \( band1 \) — First significant digit (color band 1)
• \( band2 \) — Second significant digit (color band 2)
• \( band3 \) — Multiplier exponent (color band 3)

Explanation: The first two bands represent digits, while the third band represents the power of ten multiplier.

3. Importance of Capacitor Color Codes

Details: Color codes provide a compact way to represent capacitor values on small components where printing numbers would be difficult.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Select the colors for each band from the dropdown menus. The calculator will display the capacitance in picofarads (pF).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my capacitor has more than 3 bands?
A: Additional bands typically represent tolerance (4th band) and voltage rating (5th band), which don't affect the capacitance value.

Q2: Why are some multiplier values negative?
A: Negative exponents represent fractional multipliers (e.g., 10^-2 = 0.01) for very small capacitance values.

Q3: How accurate are color-coded capacitors?
A: Accuracy depends on the tolerance band (not included in this calculator). Typical tolerances range from ±1% to ±20%.

Q4: What do I do if my capacitor has different colors?
A: Some capacitors use different coding systems. This calculator follows the standard EIA color code for ceramic capacitors.

Q5: Can I use this for surface mount capacitors?
A: No, SMD capacitors typically use numerical codes rather than color bands.