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Mica Capacitor Color Code

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Mica Capacitor Color Code Calculator | CalcBoy
6-Dot Mica Capacitor
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Type (JAN/AWS)
1st Digit
2nd Digit
Multiplier
Tolerance
Temp Coeff
DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS
Decoded Capacitance
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Tolerance Class
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Temperature Coeff
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Military Standard
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Input Parameters Specification

First Dot (Military Indicator)Identifies the governing testing qualification. Black denotes standard Joint Army Navy (JAN) and White designates American War Standard (AWS).
Second / Third DotsRepresent the primary first and second significant numerical base integers of the nominal capacity in picofarads.
Decimal MultiplierScales the combined base digits exponentially from x1 up to x1,000,000 to determine total picofarads.
Capacitance ToleranceSpecifies the precise allowable manufacturing limits, ranging from high-precision ±0.5% up to standard ±20%.

EIA/JEDEC Mica Capacitor Color Code Theory

Mica capacitors are renowned for their high stability, low induction limits, and excellent high-frequency characteristics. To preserve the dielectric properties of raw mica, components are molded into rectangular epoxy housings.

Because these rectangular packages have two distinct flat faces, manufacturers adopted a standardized **6-Dot color coding system** defined by EIA and JEDEC. Under this standard, the dots are read in a clockwise circular loop starting from the top-left index indicator.

Formulas & Mathematical Logic

Capacitance Base (pF) = (Digit 1 × 10 + Digit 2) × Multiplier
If the Multiplier is selected as Gold or Silver, the digits are mapped directly with standard decimal adjustments.

Step-by-Step Example

Example: Top Dots = Black, Brown, Red | Bottom Dots = Gold, Gold, Brown
Step 1: Top-Left Dot is Black: Standard Joint Army Navy (JAN) classification.
Step 2: Note digits: Brown = 1, Red = 2 (12).
Step 3: Multiplier (Bottom-Right) is Gold: 12 × 0.1 = 1.2 pF.
Step 4: Check bottom-center Tolerance (Gold) = ±5%. Limits range from 1.14 pF to 1.26 pF.

How to Use This Calculator

Locate the small embossed alignment arrow or index markers on the mica epoxy case.
Orient the component so the three dots forming the top row are aligned left-to-right.
Match the physical dot colors with the corresponding selectors on our panel.
View decoded capacity limits, thermal drift values, and standard designations instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the White dot on the top-left of a mica capacitor mean?

A white dot indicates an AWS (American War Standard) military classification. A black dot indicates a standard JAN (Joint Army Navy) specification.

2. Why are mica capacitors still used today?

Despite being more expensive than ceramic discs, mica dielectric layers do not age, offer extremely low dissipation factors, and are highly stable under heavy voltage spikes.

3. What unit of measurement is used for mica capacitor color codes?

The standard unit of calculation is picofarads (pF). The calculator automatically converts very large values to nanofarads (nF) or microfarads (µF) for readability.

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About this tool

Mica Capacitor Color Code is a free online calculator tool. Use it to get instant, accurate results for your electronics calculations.