How are capacitors connected in a parallel circuit?

In a parallel circuit, capacitors are connected so that each capacitor is linked directly to the power supply, offering multiple pathways for current. When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total capacitance increases. This is because the effective capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitances of each capacitor.

The reason for this increase is based on how capacitors store electrical energy. Each capacitor in parallel effectively adds its ability to store charge to the overall system. If one capacitor is charged, it can influence the total charge, and adding more capacitors provides more capacity for storage. Therefore, the overall ability of the circuit to store electrical energy is enhanced, leading to a greater total capacitance in comparison to any single capacitor in the circuit.

This fundamental principle is an essential aspect of capacitor operation in electrical circuits and is crucial for applications in HVACR systems where capacitors are often used for power factor correction, motor starting, and energy storage.