High Voltage Capacitors

Charging a high voltage capacitors is like stretching a spring. In stretching a spring we store potential
energy which is released when the stretching force is removed. When we apply a direct voltage to
the terminals of a capacitor we pump in potential electrical energy, which is subsequently released
when we short-circuit the terminals. This is explained on the theory that the electric field in the
electrode-dielectric system causes systematic displacement of bound or anchored electric charges
from the normal condition of equilibrium they occupy when the applied voltage is zero.
This behaviour contrasts with that of conductors in which the flow of current is explained as the
drift of more or less free charges in the direction of the applied force. Each bound charge acts as
though it were attached to its zero-voltage position by a spring. As the capacitor charges, the spring
stretches under the force exerted by the electric field. On removal of the stretching force the charge
returns to its normal position.
This condition of electric strain is known as "dielectric polarization," and the current which flows in
the electrodes when the condition of strain is changing is known as the "polarization current." This
current falls to zero when the polarization is complete and reappears in the opposite direction
during the discharging process.
The total polarization which can occur per volt of applied potential between the electrodes depends
on the total number of displaceable charges, their magnitudes and the average dis- placement of
which they are capable in the direction of the applied field. Now the charge stored is proportional to
the polarization. So capacitance, which is proportional to the charge per volt, is therefore also
proportional to the polarization per volt of which the electrode-dielectric structure is inherently
capable.
More generally the actual polarization occurring depends not only on the capacitance but also on
the displacing force and therefore on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the capacitance. The
work done in displacing the charges against the spring-like forces which tend to restore them to
their original position appears as potential energy stored in the electrode-dielectric structure.
Capacitance and Dielectric Constant.
Consider a high voltage capacitor consisting simply of two parallel plates separated by air and having
a capacitance C. In this case, assuming the air to be practically free of polarizable charges, the
process may be pictured as limited to displacement in opposite directions of the positive and
negative charges in the electrodes. With air as the dielectric the capacitance value obtained Is the
smallest realizable for a given plate separation and area (Ignoring the very slightly smaller value
obtainable in a vacuum). This value is increased by inserting any solid or liquid insulator between the
plates.
If we completely fill the air space between the plates with a material of dielectric constant K the
capacitance Increases to KC and the stored energy to {KC/2)V. This increase in capacitance and
energy Is associated with the polarization introduced by the material dielectric. Thus the dielectric

constant of the material Is the factor by which the capacitance of an air capacitor Is multiplied when
we completely fill the air space with the material dielectric. The high voltage capacitor is capable of K
times as much polarization, that Is, of storing K times as much charge or energy for one volt as was
realizable with air as the dielectric.
Evidently the larger the dielectric constant the larger the capacitance which can be realized In a
given space. For this reason, materials of high dielectric constant are favored in practical design
where It is necessary to conserve space.