3.3uF 50V CAPACITOR is Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are polarized electrolytic capacitors whose anode electrode (+) is made of a pure aluminum foil with an etched surface.

The aluminum forms a very thin insulating layer of aluminum oxide by anodization that acts as the dielectric of the capacitor. A non-solid electrolyte covers the rough surface of the oxide layer, serving in principle as the second electrode (cathode) (-) of the capacitor.

A second aluminum foil called “cathode foil” contacts the electrolyte and serves as the electrical connection to the negative terminal of the capacitor.

3.3uf 50v capacitor radial electrolytic capacitor 3.3uf capacitor 50v 3.3uf radial polarized aluminum electrolytic capacitors 2 pin leads

An electrolytic capacitor definition is, it is a polarized capacitor whose anode has a higher or more positive voltage than the cathode.

As the name suggests it is a polarized capacitor and an electrolytic capacitor function is, it uses an electrolyte to operate with a higher or more positive voltage on the anode than the cathode.

Therefore, the anode terminal is denoted with a positive sign, while the cathode with a negative sign. Applying a reverse polarity voltage of 1 to 1.5 volts may destroy the capacitor and dielectric and the result is hazardous, leading to an explosion or fire.

An electrolytic capacitor uses an electrolyte, in the form of solid, liquid or gel – serves as cathode or negative plate to achieve much higher capacitance per unit volume.

On the other hand, a positive plate or anode made of metal acts as an insulating oxide layer formed through anodization. This allows an oxide layer to work as the dielectric of the capacitor.