In many cases, to obtain a desired electric capacity of the capacitors must connect to the group, called battery.

Serial this is called coupling capacitors, in which the negatively charged plate of the previous capacitor is connected to the positively charged electrode subsequent (rice. 15.31). A series connection of all the armatures of the capacitors are the same value of the charge q. Since the charges on the condenser are in equilibrium, the potentials of the plates, interconnected by conductors, will be the same.

Given these circumstances, derive a formula for calculating the electric capacity of the battery of capacitors connected in series. From the pic. 15.31 see, the voltage on the battery U₆ equal to the sum of the voltages on the series connected capacitors. Indeed:

(ϕ₁ ‒ ϕ₂) + (ϕ₂ ‒ ϕ₃) + ... + (ϕ_n-1 ‒ ϕ_n) = ϕ₁ ‒ ϕ_n

or

U₁ + U₂ + ... + U_n = U₆

Using the ratio q=CU, get:

After the reduction in q will have:

From (15.21) see, what a series connection of the battery production is less than the smallest of the individual capacitors electroelastic.

Parallel is called the connection of capacitors, in which all the positively charged plates connected to a single wire, a negatively charged — to the other (rice. 15.32). In this case the voltage across all capacitors is equal and U, and the charge on the battery q_b equal to the sum of charges on individual capacitors:

q_b = q₁ + q₂ + ... = q_n

where

C_bU = C₁U + C₂U + ... + C_nU

After the reduction and obtain a formula for calculating the electric capacity of the battery parallel connected capacitors:

C_b = C₁ + C₂ + ... + C_n (15.22)

From (15.22) see, that when connected in parallel in the production of the battery is greater, than the largest of electroelastic individual capacitors. In the manufacture of capacitors of high electric capacity use parallel connection, depicted in figure. 15.33. This connection method provides savings in material, since the charges are located on both sides of the plates of a capacitor (except the two outermost plates).

In figure. 15.33 connected in parallel 6 capacitors, and plates made 7. Therefore, in this case, parallel connected capacitors is one less, cel the number of metal sheets p in the capacitor Bank, t. e.

C_b = K_CS(n ‒ 1)/d (15.23)