Cap Value Id'ing

[Somicide]

I've got many a capacitor in my scrap stuff that has numbers like "471" and "103" or so; they're all small values im sure, but what the hell are they?  I have no idea what the value is.  Anyone know how i can determine caps with a DMM (one that doesnt have an option for it)?  I mean, what was the equation for capacitance?

oh, they look sorta like this:

[niftydog]

this has been dealt with over and over and over again in this forum if you care to search for it... can we have a topic added to the FAQ section?!?!?!?

more than likely 471 is a 470pF and 103 is a 10nF.

Works the same way as resistor codes, usually the base unit is pF. First two are significant digits, the third is the multiplier (read, number of zeros following the signinificant digits)

47 x 1 x 10 [pF] = 470pF
10 x 3 x 10 [pF] = 10000pF = 10nF

[Somicide]

yea, i've had bad luck using search functions.  sorry bout that.

[niftydog]

yes, I think we all have... but consider this; I've spent months periodically search google for an answer before stumbling accross the perfect solution. Perseverance and lateral thinking are key.  :?

[Fret Wire]

Save these in your favorites:
http://www.clintology.com/capacitor/

http://www.justradios.com/uFnFpF.html

http://members.aol.com/shephed/caps.htm

http://www.electronics2000.co.uk/