Comparing values of capacitance in µF, nf and pf.

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By Mike Morris WA6ILQ

Background:

It's easy for others, but every time I try to convert capacitance values I always end up off by at least one factor of ten ! My high school electronics instructor, Mr. Andreano, wrote the first three columns on the chalkboard one day in 1965, and I copied it into my notebook. I added column 4 while I worked at NASA/JPL. Just print it, cut it out and post it over your workbench. End of problem !

microFarads nanoFarads picoFarads 3-digit
Markings Other Markings

0.000,001 µF 0.001 nF 1 pF Sometimes labeled with a centered "P", as in 3P3=3.3pF

0.000,01 µF 0.01 nF 10 pF 100

0.000,1 µF 0.1 nF 100 pF 101

0.001 µF 1 nF 1,000 pF 102 As above, a centered "N" indicates nanoFarads, as in 3N3=3.3nF=.0033µF=3300pF

0.01 µF 10 nF 10,000 pF 103

0.1 µF 100 nF 100,000 pF 104

1 µF 1,000 nF 1,000,000 pF 105 As above, a centered "U" indicates microFarads, as in 1U0=1.0µF. Just insert a decimal point for the "U" and call it µF. Likewise 2U2=2.2 µF.

10 µF 10,000 nF 10,000,000 pF 106

100 µF 100,000 nF 100,000,000 pF

1,000 µF 1,000,000 nF 1,000,000,000 pF

microFarads	nanoFarads	picoFarads	3-digit Markings	Other Markings
0.000,001 µF	0.001 nF	1 pF		Sometimes labeled with a centered "P", as in 3P3=3.3pF
0.000,01 µF	0.01 nF	10 pF	100
0.000,1 µF	0.1 nF	100 pF	101
0.001 µF	1 nF	1,000 pF	102	As above, a centered "N" indicates nanoFarads, as in 3N3=3.3nF=.0033µF=3300pF
0.01 µF	10 nF	10,000 pF	103
0.1 µF	100 nF	100,000 pF	104
1 µF	1,000 nF	1,000,000 pF	105	As above, a centered "U" indicates microFarads, as in 1U0=1.0µF. Just insert a decimal point for the "U" and call it µF. Likewise 2U2=2.2 µF.
10 µF	10,000 nF	10,000,000 pF	106
100 µF	100,000 nF	100,000,000 pF
1,000 µF	1,000,000 nF	1,000,000,000 pF

This is all based on the fact that 1µF=1x10^-6 Farads, 1nF=1x10^-9 Farads and 1pF=1x10^-12 Farads.

Sometimes you will see parts labeled in a format similar to "3U3 63V". Those are most likely 3.3 microFarad 63 Volt DC capacitors. As above, just insert a decimal point for the "U" and call it microFarads.

The same situation applies to some resistor designations. 3K3 would be 3.3 K Ohms, 2M2 would be 2.2 megohms, 5R6 would be 5.6 Ohms.

Contact Information:

The author can be contacted at: his-callsign // at // repeater-builder // dot // com.

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This page originally posted on Tuesday 26-Dec-2007

This web page, this web site, the information presented in and on its pages and in these modifications and conversions is © Copyrighted 1995 and (date of last update) by Kevin Custer W3KKC and multiple originating authors. All Rights Reserved, including that of paper and web publication elsewhere.