CAPACITOR CODES

Molded Mica Capacitor Color Code

A First Figure	B Second Figure	C Number of zeros after second figure	D Voltage Rating	E Tolerance (+/-)
Black...0	Black...0	Black...none	Brown....100	Brown...1%
Brown...1	Brown...1	Brown...1	Red......200	Red.....2%
Red.....2	Red.....2	Red.....2	Orange...300	Orange..3%
Orange..3	Orange..3	Orange..3	Yellow...400	Yellow..4%
Yellow..4	Yellow..4	Yellow..4	Green....500	Green...5%
Green...5	Green...5	Green...5	Blue.....600	Blue....6%
Blue....6	Blue....6	Blue....6	Violet...700	Violet..7%
Violet..7	Violet..7	Violet..7	Gray.....800	Gray....8%
Gray....8	Gray....8	Gray....8	White....900	White...9%
White...9	White...9	White...9	Gold...1,000	Gold.....
			Silver......	Silver..10%
			No Color.500	No Color.20%

Three Dot Color Code

The color dots must be read in the correct sequence (A, B, C) from left to right in order to correctly interpert the color code. In order to make certain that the capacitor will be held in the proper position while the dots are being read, manufacturers have adopted several 3-dot marking arrangements. In that shown in illustration No. 1 above, the capacitor must be held so that the manufacturer's name or trademark appears right side up, as shown. Then the dot will be read in the proper sequence if they are read from left to right. Another somewhat similar arrangement is shown in illustration No. 2 above. Here, the three colored dots are stamped on an arrow molded in the capacitor case. The arrow always points to the correct direction of reading.

On some makes of capacitors, the dots are shaped so they are slightly 'pointed' in the direction in which they are to be read, others have an adjacent direction-arrow molded alongside each dot as shown in illustration No. 3.

3-Dot Example: Red(A)   Green(B)   Black(C) = 25 mmfd. = .000025 mfd

Extra Markings for Voltage Rating & Capacity Tolerance (5-Dot Color Code) On types where two extra color dots appear (making 5 in all, see illustration No. 4), whether on the face or on the reverse side of the molded case, the color of the fourth dot (D) indicates the d-c voltage rating, in accordance with the tabulation of the (D) column above. No color in this position implies a voltage rating of 500 volts d-c.

The color of the fifth dot (E) indicated the percent tolerance on the accuracy of the capacity rating. No color in this position indicates a tolerance of +/- 20% in the capacity value. A capacitor with the 5-dot color code in shown in illustration No.4 above.

Six Dot Color Code When there are three significant figures in the capacity value, and the voltage rating and tolerance information is also to be indicated, a 6-dot color code is usually employed

On capacitors marked with six dots (see illustration No. 5 above) the upper three (A, B, B1) indicate the capacity and the lower right hand dot (C) indicates the number of zeros to be added. The remaining two dots (D) and (E) indicate the d-c working voltage rating and the capacity tolerance respectively, as shown in the illustration.

6-Dot Example: Brown(A)   Red(B)     Green(B1) 
               Orange(D)  Green(E)   Brown(C) 
               = 1250 mmfd., 300 d-c working voltage, +/- 5% tolerance

**Micro-Micro Farad To Micro-Farad Conversion**
MMFD	MFD
1	.000001
	10,000	.01
10	.00001
	100,000	.1
100	.0001
	1,000,000	1.0
1,000	.001

Note: A micro-microfarad is one-millionth (1/1,000,000) of a microfarad. To convert mmfd. to mfd., move the decimal point six places to the left. (For example, 3500 mmfd. is equivalent to .0035 mfd.). To convert mfd. to mmfd., move the decimal point six places to the right. (For example, .00025 mfd. is equivalent to 250 mmfd.) See table above.

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