Capacitors, DC and AC Current Demo

Capacitors, DC and AC Current Demo

[RobertGallop]

Great job, that shows it very well. Awesome idea using a bi-color LED to show it well too!

[AllAmericanFiveRadio]

Your right, electrolytic capacitors will short out when the voltage polarity is reversed.

[rb_]

I can't figure out why the LED isn't blowing out because you didn't limit the current to it with a resistor. The LED seems like it would be getting all the amperage the transformer is able to put deliver and blow out in a second.

[AllAmericanFiveRadio]

@MrHorsetail
The transformer was on my variac, I started at zero and raised voltage so that the leds would video the best.

[rb_]

@AllAmericanFiveRadio I see, I was wondering what a variac was.

[AllAmericanFiveRadio]

Thanks xXDominoXx
Your very welcome. You really have to attention to the DC part the red flash is fast!

[sivucit]

Thanks, so is my understanding right, that the capacitor used is non polarized.

[Toddstrainsnstuff]

I am still not clear on this. My problem is I have a model train passenger car. It is a lighted car and when it goes over a dirty rail and loses connectivity, the light goes out. How can I add a capacitor that will hold about two seconds worth of charge at 14 volts so that the light never turns off while running. I use both AC and DC power depending on which engine.

[sivucit]

hi, I assume all capacitor used in ac are non polarized, is my understanding right, otherwise it will blow, reason I am asking this q, is because ac is varying with + and - so polarized will blow. I am new bie to electronics, so if this is a stupid q, please forgive me.