Practical Electronics/Finding component information/Capacitors

Ceramic Numbering Code
Generally, they use an alphanumeric marking system. The number part is the same as for SMT resistors, except that the value represented is in pF. They may also be written out directly, for instance, 2n2 = 2.2 nF. For capacitors the tolerance code is:


 * {| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"

!Tolerance Code!!Tolerance
 * A ||± 0.05 pF
 * B ||± 0.1 pF
 * C ||± 0.25 pF
 * D ||± 0.5 pF
 * E ||± 0.5%
 * F ||± 1%
 * G ||± 2%
 * H ||± 3%
 * J ||± 5%
 * K ||± 10%
 * L*||± 15%
 * M ||± 20%
 * N*||± 30%
 * P*||−0% +100%
 * S*||−20% +50%
 * W*||−0% +200%
 * X*||−20% +40%
 * Z ||−20% +80%
 * }
 * K ||± 10%
 * L*||± 15%
 * M ||± 20%
 * N*||± 30%
 * P*||−0% +100%
 * S*||−20% +50%
 * W*||−0% +200%
 * X*||−20% +40%
 * Z ||−20% +80%
 * }
 * S*||−20% +50%
 * W*||−0% +200%
 * X*||−20% +40%
 * Z ||−20% +80%
 * }
 * Z ||−20% +80%
 * }
 * }

letters with * are not used consistently.

how similar is this to resistors?

For example, .047K = .047 µF 10%.

The dielectric material is sometimes designated by another code: (note: the materials in the table below are not ceramic capacitors as implied, but plastic and paper)
 * {| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"

!Marking ||Material
 * KT     ||Polyester Film / Foil
 * MKT    ||Metallized Polyester (PETP)
 * KC     ||Polycarbonate Film / Foil
 * MKC    ||Metallized Polycarbonate
 * KS     ||Polystyrene Film / Foil
 * KPS    ||foil/pps?
 * MPS    ||Metallized pps
 * KP     ||Polypropylene Film / Foil
 * MKP    ||Metallized Polypropylene
 * MP     ||Metallized paper
 * }
 * KPS    ||foil/pps?
 * MPS    ||Metallized pps
 * KP     ||Polypropylene Film / Foil
 * MKP    ||Metallized Polypropylene
 * MP     ||Metallized paper
 * }
 * MKP    ||Metallized Polypropylene
 * MP     ||Metallized paper
 * }
 * }

Please note that the table above is valid most of the time but not always because it is not a real standard. To be real sure you may check the data sheet from the manufacturer in mind.

The cap color can also indicate the dielectric:

more info at http://my.execpc.com/~endlr/markings.html

Axial ceramic capacitors
These often have a yellow body, and use the same color band system as resistors, except that the value indicated is in pF.

Multilayer Ceramic capacitors

 * [[Image:Multilayerceramic png1.PNG]]

These usually use the same alphanumeric system.