Hardware Hacking

The variable τ (called the time constant)

is used to define the time it takes for the

capacitor to charge to 63.2 percent of its

maximum capacity.The time constant can be

calculated by the following formula:

τ = R x C

Where…

■

τ = Time constant (seconds)

■

C = Capacitance (F )

■

R = Resistance (Ω)

A capacitor reaches 63.2 percent of its

charge in one-fifth the time it takes to

become fully charged. Capacitors in actual

applications are usually not charged to their

full capacity because it takes too long.

Diodes

In the most basic sense, diodes pass current in

one direction while blocking it from the

other.This allows for their use in rectifying

AC into DC, filtering, ...