Handbook for Sound Engineers

256 Chapter 10

10.2.4.1 Film Capacitors

Film capacitors consist of alternate layers of metal foil,

and one or more layers of a flexible plastic insulating

Figure 10-16. Color codes for tubular and disk ceramic
capacitors.

Color Digits

Black 0 0 1 ±2.0 pF ±20% 0 0.0 

1

Brown 1 1 10 ±0.1 pF ±1% 

33 

10

Red 2 2 100 ±2% 75 1.0 

100

Orange 3 3 1000 ±3% 150 1.5 

1000

Yellow 4 4 230 2.0 10,000

Green 5 5 ±0.5 pF ±5% 300 3.3 +1

Blue 6 6 470 4.7 +10

Violet 7 7 750 7.5 +100

Gray 8 8 0.01 ±0.25 pF 150 to 1500 +1000

White 9 9 0.1 ±1.0 pF 10% +100 to 75 +10,000

Gold — —

Silver — —

Capacitance in picofarads

Temperature coefficient

1st & 2nd significant digit

Capacitance multiplier

Tolerance

1st & 2nd significant digit

Capacitance multiplier

Tolerance

Temperature coefficient multiplier

Temperature coefficient

1st & 2nd significant digit

Capacitance multiplier

Tolerance

Temperature coefficient

Five dot color code

radial lead

Five dot color code

axial lead

Six dot color code

radial lead

Temperature coefficient

1st & 2nd digits

Multiplier Multiplier

Tolerance

Five dot color code Three dot color code

Tubular Ceramic Capacitors

Ceramic Disk Capacitor

Rated dc voltage

Positive

Positive lead (longer)

47

35 V

Capacitance (MF)

Ceramic Disk Capacitor

Multiplier

Temperature coefficient

¾10 pF >10 pF

Tolerance

ppoC

5 dot 6 dot

1st 2nd Sig. Fig. Multiplier

Figure 10-17. Color codes for mica capacitors.

Black 0 0 1 ±20% 100

Brown B 1 1 10 ±1% 

55 oC to +85°C

Red C 2 2 100 ±2% 300

Orange D 3 3 1000 55°C to +125°C

Yellow E 4 4 10,000 500

Green F 5 5 ±5%

Blue 6 6

Violet 7 7

Gray 8 8

White 9 9

Gold – – 0.1 ±0.5% 1000

Silver – – 0.01 ±10%

Color Char. Digits Multiplier Tolerance dc Operating

1st 2nd working temperature

voltage range

White EIA identifier indicates mica capacitor

1 st significant figure

2 nd significant figure

Indicator style (optional)

Multiplier

Capacitance tolerance

Characteristic

White EIA identifier indicates mica capacitor

1 st significant figure

2 nd significant figure

Indicator style (optional)

Multiplier

Capacitance tolerance

Characteristic

dc working voltage

Operating temperature

Identifier (white)

Nine Dot System

Six Dot System

Characteristic Temperature coefficient Maximum

of capacitance (ppm/oC) capacitance drift

B Not specified Not specified

C ±200 ±0.5% +0.5pF

D ±100 ±0.3% +0.1pF

E 20–(+100) ±0.3% +0.1pF

F 0 to +70 ±0.5% +0.1pF

Mica Capacitor Characteristics