beginner question about cap values equiv......

[dclark]

hey there, I've just started building some things outside of the kit type project.  I've picked up a couple of pcb's here and from MadBean.  While shopping at Mouser for the parts I come to a hitch where Mouser does not seem to list caps at certain values, so there must be a standard equivalence chart to reference somewhere?

by this I mean I can find the 100pF caps there but not the 100n, 22n, etc.. whereby (xx)n seems to be a decimal value of (xx)pF or uF.  I ran across something on the net once that explained this but I have lost the link and now an at a loss as to how to source these parts. 

When I go to Mouser and use the value field search page to find the caps i need there is no (xx)n choice.  Only (xx)pF, uF or Farad

help much appreciated. 

Thanks for a great forum
D

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Anytime you see "nF" values, all you have to do is move the decimal point 3 places to the LEFT and it becomes "uF"

Example: 100nF= 100.00nF so.... 100nF = 0.1uF

Example: 2.2nF = 0.0022uF

Hope that helps 

[dclark]

It does, and I thank you.  On some of these layouts a part may be listed as (xx)n.  I presume it has been shortened from (xx)nF?

D

[Govmnt_Lacky]

It does, and I thank you.  On some of these layouts a part may be listed as (xx)n.  I presume it has been shortened from (xx)nF?

D

Yes. You will often see them listed as XXn. It means nanofarads

[Jdansti]

To add to what Greg said, I'll throw pico (p) into the mix:

1000pF = 1nF = 0.001uF

Move the decimal point 3 places to the left to convert to the next higher unit and vice versa. For example,

0.01uF = 10nF = 10,000pF

[totes]

It is quite common that capacitors in the nF range are listed in pF or uF, for example 2.2nF = 0.0022uF = 2200pF

[R O Tiree]

Sadly, yes it is. You quickly get used to shifting the decimal place around, though.

[dclark]

thanks much

off I go

[armdnrdy]

I've been known to take a gander at this chart from time to time.

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

Especially when putting together a bill of materials list for a project while head nodding at 1:00 in the morning!

[dclark]

that's it right there.  very helpful

thx

[Gristlepig]

This little piece of freeware helped me out immensely back when I was experiencing the same confusion.

It's also great for figuring out value and tolerance markings on capacitors and resistors.

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

[armdnrdy]

I use this for caps.

http://www.muzique.com/schem/caps.htm

And this for resistors.

http://www.hobby-hour.com/electronics/resistorcalculator.php

I use the electronics2000 calculators for parallel and series resistance and capacitance.

They are all great time savers!

[chromesphere]

My admiration goes out to you dclark, for using mouser on your first builds!  Some veterans are afraid of their system!

You will get used to converting capacitors values, left and right the more you work with them.  I usually write down the value, put a decimal place and then 'shift it' 3 to the left or right.  Helps me to visually see whats going on particular with large conversions, like 0.0000004 on the calculator to microamps for example

If you dont have one already you might want to consider a capacitance meter to confirm values as well.  Reading the 104's 103's and all sorts of other markings on caps can be confusing to begin with as well.

All the best,
Paul