If a schematic is calling for a 4.7uF capacitor, how do I know what voltage rating I should get? For instance, I am trying to hook up an IR remote set up (from Paralax) to a PICAXE board. The whole thing runs on 5V. The schematic from PICAXE manual 2 shows a 4.7uF capacitor. If I go to digikey, my choices are a bit overwhelming. Should I buy aluminum? Ceramic? And most importantly, how do I know what voltage rating the capacitor should have? Or does it matter?
The cap should have a rating equal to or greater than the voltage it will experience. Overvoltage can cut a cap’s life short. I see from other posts you’re partial to Digikey. I recommend this electrolytic cap or if that seems too large than there is a more expensive but smaller ceramic capacitor. These are the two cheapest caps in stock at this time. Both will fit onto a breadboard as well.
the symbol is shown to be an electrolytic, I would suggest something over 5V. I think 16V is the lowest if not fairly common. I was wrong. Suffice it to say, either one of the following should function well enough in my non expert opinion.
Caution- What you are going to read is from a person who has never experimented on this topic…
Usually 4.7 uF capacitors are not available in the ceramic type. It theoretically shouldn’t matter but go for the electrolytic ones. As for the amount of voltage, since most of the board runs on 5V, this should also run on the same voltage. Buy 4.7 uF 5 V electrolytic capacitors.
