Electrolytic Capacitor

Pinout — Electrolytic Capacitor

Wiring notes

2-pin POLARIZED component. Use componentId capacitor-electrolytic and put the value + voltage rating in the label, e.g. '10µF 16V', '470µF 25V', '1000µF 35V'. Pins: ANODE (+, long leg), CATHODE (-, marked with a white stripe on the can). ANODE always to the more-positive node, CATHODE to the more-negative node. NEVER reverse-bias. Pick a voltage rating ≥1.5× the maximum voltage in your circuit. Typical use: bulk capacitor across power rails (e.g. 220µF across 5V→GND on a motor driver), audio coupling, or as RC timing element.

Example wiring diagram — Electrolytic Capacitor

Example Arduino code — Electrolytic Capacitor

This example was written and compile-checked for the arduino-uno. Codey Online adapts it to any other supported board for you.

// Electrolytic capacitor example: power supply smoothing / bulk decoupling
// 
// This simple beginner example shows how to connect a polarized electrolytic
// capacitor across the Arduino Uno's 5V and GND rails.
//
// IMPORTANT:
// - ANODE (+, long leg) goes to 5V
// - CATHODE (-, white stripe side) goes to GND
// - Never reverse-bias an electrolytic capacitor

void setup() {
  // No active code needed for a passive capacitor demo.
  // Keeping setup() empty is normal for this kind of wiring example.
}

void loop() {
  // Nothing to do here.
}

Related components

⚙️

Ceramic Capacitor

⚙️

Diode

Linear Potentiometer (3-pin)

⚙️

Resistor