Answer 8—Dielectric absorption is the reappearance of charge on the plates of the capacitor immediately after being discharged. Electrically, the phenomenon can be modeled as additional series R-C circuits in parallel with the main capacitor that have time constants on the order of 100 µs to several seconds. Physically, it is believed to be caused by charges on the plates migrating into and back out of the dielectric itself.

Contributor: David Tweed

Published March 2004