How to Use Capacitors to Produce a Large Discharge

Capacitors are designed to discharge stored energy within milliseconds through a closed circuit. A single capacitor rated at 500 volts will release a large charge. However, if a 500-volt capacitor is not available (or if an even greater discharge is desired), a number of capacitors can be combined to produce a significantly large discharge. Combining capacitors in a way that makes their individual voltage values additive requires a parallel circuit connection between the capacitors. A parallel circuit with capacitors is one where the positive leads are connected to each other and the negative leads are connected to each other.

Things You'll Need

  • Assortment of electrolytic capacitors
  • 15-watt soldering iron
  • Resin core solder
  • 20-gauge hookup wire
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Instructions

    • 1

      Discharge all capacitors before soldering by touching the free ends of an insulated piece of hookup wire to both leads of a capacitor at the same time.

    • 2

      Determine the polarity of the capacitors before soldering. In a parallel circuit the positive and negative ends must not touch or a short circuit will result.

    • 3

      Solder 4-inch lengths of hookup wire between the positive leads in a chain of capacitors whose additive value equals the final voltage value desired. Solder 4-inch lengths of hookup wire between the negative leads of the chain of capacitors.

    • 4

      Solder a final positive and negative lead using two 4-inch lengths of hookup wire soldered to the positive and negative leads respectively of the last capacitor in the chain. You should now have a chain of parallel connected capacitors with two end leads to connect to a charging source. The capacitor chain is ready to charge for use.

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