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lemur lemur
wrote...
Posts: 46
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11 years ago
I have  2p& (C5), 3n3 332 (C4), 10n 103 (C3), 22n 223 (C2), and 22p (C6) ceramic capacitors for an FM transmitter. How do i tell which sides are positive/negative?

There are no markings on them. Both leads are the same length.

The only markings are the label of the capacitor and there are some with black on the tips of the capacitor.

Does it matter if I place them turned the opposite way?

Thanks.
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wrote...
11 years ago
Ceramic caps do not have polarity.
wrote...
11 years ago
ceramic capacitors are normally polarity indifferent, they don't have a + or - lead.
wrote...
11 years ago
not all caps are polarized so in this case it does not matter.
Flat caps are typically non polarized, while can shaped ones are and are usually painted or shrinkwrapped with polarity indicated.
wrote...
11 years ago
No, it does not matter which way you place ceramic capacitors.  These types of capacitors have no polarity.  Generally, electrolytic capacitors (mainly aluminum and tantalum) are the types associated with polarized capacitors, and they will usually have a "+" sign on the sleeving, or a stripe with "-" signs on the sleeving, indicating its polarity.  So basically, no, you're fine putting the ceramics in the circuit in either direction.
wrote...
11 years ago
Ceramic capacitors have no polarity.

The black marks on some of them may indicate that that lead is connected to the outside foil (of the spiral-wrapped foil conductor, insulator, foil conductor "sandwich"), in which case it would be wise to put that lead at closest to ground potential.

Back in the days of tube radios if the outer insulation was ever scratched and the outer foil was accidentally shorted out to chassis, there would be no damage done (it would be a ground to ground connection).  If the outer foil was mis-connected to a positive high voltage and the same scratch and short to chassis occured, then sparks would 'fly' and other parts would be damaged.

In low voltage, low current applications, especially when the components are on PCboards, it makes absolutely no difference how ceramics are connected.

.
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