Instructions

109
Circuit 84: Electrolytic capacitor blocking direct current
Setup information
Install the diode and the electrolytic capacitor as shown in Fig. 2.84. The two jumper wires are next. Check
the placement on the board again and only then connect the battery.
Components required:
1 x red LED, 1 x 10 μF
electrolytic capacitor,
1 x breadboard, 1 x 9V
battery with clip con-
nector
Fig. 2.84: Electrolytic capacitor
blocking direct current
Experiment
If everything is wired correctly, the LED flashes once. During this short instance the electrolytic capacitor is
being charged. After that DC current flow is blocked from passing through the electrolytic capacitor. This is
true for as long as the applied voltage is less than the value of the dielectric strength indicated on the elec-
trolytic capacitor. If an electrolytic capacitor permits the flow of direct current in both directions, it is flawed.
The circuit diagram for this experiment is shown in Chap. 3, Fig. 3.84.