Power capacitors are passive electronic components that provide a static source of reactive power in electrical distribution systems. They consist of two conducting plates separated by an insulating material called the dielectric. Multilayer dielectrics provide excellent temperature stability and frequency characteristics. Single layer dielectrics are also available. Capacitance, a measure of energy storage ability, is typically expressed as C = K A/D, where A is the area of the electrodes, D is their separation, and K is a function of the dielectric between the electrodes. Power capacitors are used in the aerospace and automotive industries, power factor correction and lighting circuits, power supplies, and motor starters. Some devices can handle one-phase voltages while others are designed for three-phase voltages.
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