- #1
TenJuu
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Is it possible to make a capacitor with a dielectric not of the same size with its conducting plates?
Capacitor with Irregular size dielectric
- Thread starter TenJuu
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In summary, it is possible to make a capacitor with a dielectric that is not the same size as its conducting plates. However, this may not have practical benefits unless a specific purpose or application is considered, such as using a car window as a dielectric for a security alarm. Capacitive sensing is a common technique that can utilize such variations in capacitor construction.
- #2
berkeman
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Welcome to the PF. 
Sure. But can you think of any practical reason why you would WANT to do that? What kind of dielectric change like you suggest would make the capacitor better in some way?TenJuu said:
- #3
Lord Crc
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Well it certainly would be cheaper to construct if you don't require tight tolerances...
- #4
TenJuu
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We are having research on making a security alarm with low technology. By making the car window as our dielectric and having small conducting plates sandwiching it. When the glass is broke it will cause a change in capacitance thus triggering our circuit.berkeman said:Welcome to the PF.
Sure. But can you think of any practical reason why you would WANT to do that? What kind of dielectric change like you suggest would make the capacitor better in some way?
- #5
Lord Crc
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Capacitive sensing is a common technique, see for example https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitive_sensing
FAQ: Capacitor with Irregular size dielectric
What is a capacitor with an irregular size dielectric?
A capacitor with an irregular size dielectric is a type of capacitor where the dielectric material, which is the insulating material between the two metal plates, does not have a uniform thickness or shape. This can affect the capacitance and other properties of the capacitor.
How does the irregular size dielectric affect the capacitance of the capacitor?
The irregular size dielectric can affect the capacitance by changing the distance between the two metal plates, which is a key factor in determining the capacitance. It can also affect the dielectric constant, which is a measure of how well the material can store electrical energy.
What are some common materials used for irregular size dielectrics?
Some common materials used for irregular size dielectrics include ceramic, paper, plastic, and mica. These materials have different dielectric constants and can be manipulated to have varying thicknesses, making them suitable for use in capacitors with irregular size dielectrics.
How do you calculate the capacitance of a capacitor with an irregular size dielectric?
The capacitance of a capacitor with an irregular size dielectric can be calculated using the formula C = εA/d, where C is the capacitance, ε is the dielectric constant, A is the area of the plates, and d is the distance between the plates. However, this calculation may be more complex for capacitors with irregular size dielectrics as the distance may not be uniform throughout.
What are some potential applications for capacitors with irregular size dielectrics?
Capacitors with irregular size dielectrics can be used in a variety of applications, such as in electronic circuits, power supplies, and energy storage systems. They can also be used in high voltage applications where a uniform dielectric thickness is not possible due to mechanical constraints. Additionally, they can be used for tuning and filtering in radio frequency circuits.