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To measure capacitance using an LCR meter:Select the capacitance measurement function on the meter. Set the frequency and voltage settings as per the manufacturer's instructions.
As you know, a capacitor has two terminals, and we measure capacitors in terms of capacitance. Capacitance (C) is the ability of a capacitor to store energy. The unit of capacitance is Farad. Let's see some fundamental mathematics of capacitance. You can see that capacitance is the ratio of total charge and the voltage applied across the capacitor.
The key to measure the capacitance and dissipation factor correctly is the meter settings. The voltage settings are critical for high capacitance capacitors. For some cap meters, the applied voltage to the test component is not enough and the capacitance reads low. The frequency settings are also important.
Capacitance C, dissipation factor D, and equivalent series resistance ESR are the parameters usually measured. Capacitance is the measure of the quantity of electrical charge that can be held (stored) between the two electrodes. Dissipation factor, also known as loss tangent, serves to indicate capacitor quality.
When measuring other capacitors the frequency must be chosen lower than desired what means that only the capacitance can be measured. Two examples are given: The first one is for measuring only the capacitance, and the second one is for measuring the capacity as well as the ESR.
The electrostatic capacitance of ceramic capacitors is generally measured using an LCR meter. 2. Measurement principle The typical measurement system of LCR meters is the "automatic balancing bridge method," such as shown in the figure below. The measurement principle is as follows.
Visual method Let's start with our first method, the visual method. This method is the easiest and most effective way to measure the capacitance value of any given capacitor. Follow the below easy steps for an electrolytic capacitor: On the body, you will find the written capacitance value for rated maximum voltage and tolerance.
When multiple capacitors are connected in parallel, you can find the total capacitance using this formula. C T = C 1 + C 2 + . + C n.
When 4, 5, 6 or even more capacitors are connected together the total capacitance of the circuit CT would still be the sum of all the individual capacitors added together and as we know now, the total capacitance of a parallel circuit is always greater than the highest value capacitor.
Conversely, you must not apply more voltage than the lowest voltage rating among the parallel capacitors. Capacitors connected in series will have a lower total capacitance than any single one in the circuit. This series circuit offers a higher total voltage rating. The voltage drop across each capacitor adds up to the total applied voltage.
(a) Capacitors in parallel. Each is connected directly to the voltage source just as if it were all alone, and so the total capacitance in parallel is just the sum of the individual capacitances. (b) The equivalent capacitor has a larger plate area and can therefore hold more charge than the individual capacitors.
When multiple capacitors are connected in parallel, you can find the total capacitance using this formula. C T = C 1 + C 2 + + C n So, the total capacitance of capacitors connected in parallel is equal to the sum of their values.
Capacitors connected in parallel will add their capacitance together. A parallel circuit is the most convenient way to increase the total storage of electric charge. The total voltage rating does not change. Every capacitor will 'see' the same voltage. They all must be rated for at least the voltage of your power supply.
The total capacitance of this equivalent single capacitor depends both on the individual capacitors and how they are connected. Capacitors can be arranged in two simple and common types of connections, known as series and parallel, for which we can easily calculate the total capacitance.
The ability of a capacitor to store energy in the form of an electric field (and consequently to oppose changes in voltage) is called capacitance. It is measured in the unit of the Farad (F).
Capacitor and Capacitance are related to each other as capacitance is nothing but the ability to store the charge of the capacitor. Capacitors are essential components in electronic circuits that store electrical energy in the form of an electric charge.
The capacity of a capacitor to store charge in it is called its capacitance. It is an electrical measurement. It is the property of the capacitor. When two conductor plates are separated by an insulator (dielectric) in an electric field.
Basic Structure: A capacitor consists of two conductive plates separated by a dielectric material. Charge Storage Process: When voltage is applied, the plates become oppositely charged, creating an electric potential difference. Capacitance Definition: Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to store charge per unit voltage.
This page titled 8.2: Capacitors and Capacitance is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform. A capacitor is a device used to store electrical charge and electrical energy.
The ability of a capacitor to store electrical energy is determined by its capacitance, which is a measure of the amount of charge that can be stored per unit of the voltage applied. Understanding the fundamentals of capacitors and capacitance is important for anyone working with electronic circuits or interested in electronics.
Also, because capacitors store the energy of the electrons in the form of an electrical charge on the plates the larger the plates and/or smaller their separation the greater will be the charge that the capacitor holds for any given voltage across its plates. In other words, larger plates, smaller distance, more capacitance.
There are three main types of high rate batteries; sealed lead-acid Battery (SLA), high rate lifepo4 battery, and high discharge NMC lithium battery (ternary lithium battery).
The influence on battery from high charge and discharge rates are analyzed. High discharge rate behaves impact on both electrodes while charge mainly on anode. To date, the widespread utilization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has created a pressing demand for fast-charging and high-power supply capabilities.
There was an immediate voltage change when the high rate pulses were applied. The maximum current that could be applied to the cathodes, at the rated charging voltage limit for the cells, was around 10 C. For the anodes, the limit was 3–5 C, before the voltage went negative of the lithium metal counter electrode.
Consequently, this study will contribute to providing solutions for enhancing battery safety and reliability under extreme operating conditions and environments. 1. Introduction According to multiple news sources, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) equipped with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in China has recently exceeded 20 million .
Electrolyte is an important factor that can affect the rate performance of LIBs. The electrolytes in LIBs consist of at least one type of lithium salts and one non-aqueous solvent, which produce different conductivities depending on the type of the salts and their interaction with the solvents.
For high rate charging at the cathode, there is a risk of forming a higher resistance phase around the predominantly hexagonal or rhombohedral phase particles . A high rate charge pulse can lower the surface lithium concentration to the point at which irreversible phase change can occur.
In general, high-rate charging and discharging can accelerate the degradation of lithium-ion cells by increasing the loss of active materials, such as lithium inventory and electrolyte (Zhang et al., 2022a, Qu et al., 2022, Bryden et al., 2018, Chen et al., 2024, Yang et al., 2019b, Darma et al., 2016).
The characteristics that define an EV battery performance are listed below: 1. Battery Capacity 2. C-Rate 3. Weight 4. Size 5. Power In order to understand them in detail, keep on reading the article. Battery capacity or Energy capacity is the ability of a battery to deliver a certain amount of power over a while. It is measured in kilowatt-hours (product of voltage and ampere-hours). It determines the energy available to the. A C-rating is used to define the rate at which a battery is fully charged or discharged. For instance, when the vehicle with an 85kWh battery is. The size of the battery of an electric vehicle has its own significance. Energy per volume is important to building a compact EV. Volumetric energy density means an amount of energy contained within a certain volume.It. The major part of an EV's weight comes from its battery. In general gross weight of a passenger EV, varies from 600kg to 2600kg with the battery weight varying from 100kg to 550kg.
[PDF Version]There are four main types of batteries that are used in electric vehicles, namely ultracapacitors / supercapacitors, lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries and lithium-ion batteries. In the ultracapacitor polarized liquid is stored between an electrode and an electrocyte.
Li-ion batteries are the preferred choice for modern electric cars due to their advanced rechargeable battery technology. However, they are relatively expensive to produce compared to other battery types. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries gained commercial use in the late 1980s.
Beyond their 1500 charges and useful lifespan in a vehicle, electric vehicle batteries can be used for energy storage where performance isn't so important. For example, they can be used in motorhomes to store solar power, or as a backup for a power cut in our homes. Why are electric car batteries so expensive?
An electric vehicle battery is a rechargeable battery used to power the electric motors of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). They are typically lithium-ion batteries that are designed for high power-to-weight ratio and energy density.
NiMH batteries are known for their recyclability and are proven to be a suitable option for EVs, with an average battery life of 5-7 years. Lead-Acid batteries, formulated in 1859, are the oldest type of battery still in use. They are known for their low cost but have a shorter lifespan of around 3 years.
Nowadays, Lithium-ion batteries are by far the most widely used, this is due to them recharging quickly, being robust against temperature changes, and being able to maintain power for long durations, with bursts of very high power.
Due to the many advances in photovoltaic technology over the last decade, the average panel conversion efficiency has increased from 15% to over 23%.
Solar panel efficiency refers to how much of the sun's energy striking the panel is converted into usable electricity. The more efficient the solar panels are, the more power they will produce. Understanding the key factors that affect solar panel efficiency can help you make informed decisions when shopping for a solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
Polycrystalline solar panels, on the other hand, have a slightly lower efficiency rate, while thin-film solar panels are efficient, but also degrade faster than the other two types. Which Factors Determine the Efficiency of Solar Panels?
For instance, when it comes to the efficiency of the different solar panel types, monocrystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency. Polycrystalline solar panels, on the other hand, have a slightly lower efficiency rate, while thin-film solar panels are efficient, but also degrade faster than the other two types.
It is important to understand that the efficiency of an individual solar cell does not equate to the efficiency of solar panels (modules) as a system. While solar panel efficiency is generally around 15-20%, solar cell efficiency can reach 42% in some cases.
The longer answer is that the efficiency of your solar panels depends on several different factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose, the weather conditions they are exposed to, and their degradation rate . The best solar panels usually also have the best efficiency ratings.
Solar panel inverters, for example, which convert the direct current (DC) of solar modules into alternating current (AC) now achieve efficiencies of between 96 and 98 per cent. High efficiency is a key factor in the development of electrical appliances, though it's not the only one.
Which Battery is Used in Solar Street Light? The best battery for a street light is typically a lithium-ion or LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery.
In the field of renewable energy, solar power generation, one of the most common and advanced technologies, is becoming more widely used and developed. A solar street light battery is a device that can convert solar energy into electricity and store it, and it is also a key component of a solar power generation system.
To power a 12V solar street light for 12 uninterrupted hours (19:00 to 07:00) considering losses due to an 80% round-trip efficiency, a DOD of 50%, and taking 2 days of autonomy, you would require a 75Ah@12V battery for the 1,500-lumen fixture and nearly 600Ah@12V battery bank for the 12,000-lumen street light.
AGM and Gel batteries are the most commonly used Lead-Acid batteries for solar street lights. Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries are among the most popular batteries for solar street lights, but also the most expensive ones. They use a lithium metal oxide cathode and a lithium-carbon anode, immersed in a lithium salt electrolyte.
One aspect of switching to solar street lighting that's always of concern for new adopters is the type of battery used to power the light. Customers want to get the best battery for their new solar light that saves money, lasts as long as possible, and requires the least amount of maintenance.
To size the capacity required for the battery, it is valuable to use the expression below: As an example, we can take a 1,500-lumen fixture that consumes nearly 15W, while a 12,000-lumen solar street light consumes 120W.
Solar street lights require a battery with UL-8750 certification or a safer one. One major aspect to consider in safety measures is avoiding batteries falling under thermal runaway, this can rapidly heat the battery and cause it to explode or release hazardous gases.
The lead–acid cell can be demonstrated using sheet lead plates for the two electrodes. However, such a construction produces only around one ampere for roughly postcard-sized plates, and for only a few minutes. Gaston Planté found a way to provide a much larger effective surface area. In Planté's design, the positive and negative plates were formed of two spirals o.
High rate discharge of a lead acid battery refers to using its power very quickly. It could be more efficient and can shorten the battery life. Lead acid batteries are better at high-speed discharge than some other types, like lithium batteries. High-rate discharge batteries are crucial in modern tech.
The lead–acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery first invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté. It is the first type of rechargeable battery ever created. Compared to modern rechargeable batteries, lead–acid batteries have relatively low energy density. Despite this, they are able to supply high surge currents.
Normally, as the lead–acid batteries discharge, lead sulfate crystals are formed on the plates. Then during charging, a reversed electrochemical reaction takes place to decompose lead sulfate back to lead on the negative electrode and lead oxide on the positive electrode.
Lead–acid batteries were used to supply the filament (heater) voltage, with 2 V common in early vacuum tube (valve) radio receivers. Portable batteries for miners' cap headlamps typically have two or three cells. Lead–acid batteries designed for starting automotive engines are not designed for deep discharge.
Lead–acid batteries designed for starting automotive engines are not designed for deep discharge. They have a large number of thin plates designed for maximum surface area, and therefore maximum current output, which can easily be damaged by deep discharge.
The discharge state is more stable for lead–acid batteries because lead, on the negative electrode, and lead dioxide on the positive are unstable in sulfuric acid. Therefore, the chemical (not electrochemical) decomposition of lead and lead dioxide in sulfuric acid will proceed even without a load between the electrodes.
As the demand for high-efficiency energy storage solutions continues to rise, High Voltage (HV) Lithium Batteries have emerged as the preferred choice for applications requiring enhanced power density, longer lifespan, and superior performance.
Investing in High Voltage (HV) Lithium Batteries ensures a reliable and efficient energy storage solution tailored for various industries. Whether for renewable energy, EVs, or industrial applications, our 50AH, 100AH & 106AH, 200AH, and 280AH HV Lithium Batteries provide the power you need to stay ahead.
High Voltage Lithium Batteries enhance energy efficiency and lifespan. Applications include renewable energy storage, electric vehicles, industrial backup power, and telecommunications. Product range: 50AH, 100AH & 106AH, 200AH, and 280AH HV Lithium Batteries. Benefits: fast charging, lightweight design, long cycle life, and superior performance.
While lithium-ion batteries have dominated the energy storage landscape, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative battery technologies that offer improved performance, safety, and sustainability .
The integration of lithium-ion batteries in EVs represents a transformative milestone in the automotive industry, shaping the trajectory towards sustainable transportation. Lithium-ion batteries stand out as the preferred energy storage solution for EVs, owing to their exceptional energy density, rechargeability, and overall efficiency .
1. Renewable Energy Storage HV lithium batteries efficiently store energy from solar and wind power, ensuring a stable and uninterrupted power supply. 2. Electric Vehicles (EVs) & Hybrid Vehicles Due to their high energy density and long cycle life, HV lithium batteries are widely used in electric cars, buses, and industrial transport systems. 3.
On account of major bottlenecks of the power lithium-ion battery, authors come up with the concept of integrated battery systems, which will be a promising future for high-energy lithium-ion batteries to improve energy density and alleviate anxiety of electric vehicles.
Multilevel inverters have gained significant attention in recent years due to their ability to improve power quality, reduce total harmonic distortion (THD), and enhance efficiency in high-power applications.
to extract the maximum available power at any time and feed the extracted power into the grid. The inverters used in IBRs are generally designed to follow the grid volt-ages and inject current into the existing voltage. Therefore, they are known as grid following inverters (GFLIs).
In the islanded mode, one of the inverters, or a couple of them, should function as volt-age and/or frequency regulator(s) to form a local power grid. The concept of grid forming inverters (GFMIs) originated from this particular need.
IBRs that operate in the grid supporting mode are known as grid-supporting inverters (GSIs). Almost all the large-scale IBRs work as GSIs, and small-scale IBRs, typically below 5 MW, operate as GFDIs. The fundamental difference in grid interaction of GFMIs come from the way active and reactive power delivery to the grid is controlled.
Multilevel inverters are gaining significant traction in high-power, medium-voltage applications due to their distinct advantages over conventional two-level inverters. These inverters offer improved power quality, reduced harmonic distortion, lower voltage stress on switching devices, and higher efficiency.
For renewable energy sources (like solar systems, and wind turbine systems), inverters have a prominent role that is converting renewable energy into AC power and feeding AC power to the grid. What are the applications and uses of Inverters? An inverter is mostly used in uninterrupted power supplies (UPS).
The above applications cover the importance and uses of inverters in different domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. Thus, it performs several roles with multiple functions. Also, in advanced technologies such as smart grid systems, Vehicle to Home (V2H), and Vehicle to Grid (V2G), the inverter is very essential equipment.
s an overview of the critical aspects of an HVES design. It compares the possible topologies and control techniques, identifies the pitfalls and design challenges of the recharge and holdup modes, .
Design Your Transformer. One of the main things required in a good high-voltage power supply design is designing the transformer correctly for your applications. The transformer is generally the energy-conversion element in a high-voltage design, which also provides isolation between the primary and secondary.
high-voltage-energy storage (HVES) stores the energy ona capacitor at a higher voltage and then transfers that energy to the power b s during the dropout (see Fig. 3). This allows a smallercapacitor to be used because a arge percentage of the energy stor d choic 100 80 63 50 35 25 16 10 Cap Voltage Rating (V)Fig. 4. PCB energy density with V2
High voltage power supplies are ubiquitous whether you are designing an AC/DC adapter or your high voltage on-board power supply for industrial applications. You find them commonly to step down your high voltage input voltage to a lower intermediate voltage before you power your point-of-load (POL) converters.
considerably depending on specific system requirements. Energy storage at high voltage normally requires the use of electrolytic capacitors for which th ESR varies considerably, particularly over temperature. These variables need to be conside
Energy storage is one of the most important technologies and basic equipment supporting the construction of the future power system. It is also of great significance in promoting the consumption of renewable energy, guaranteeing the power supply and enhancing the safety of the power grid.
The addition of power supplies with flexible adjustment ability, such as hydropower and thermal power, can improve the consumption rate and reduce the energy storage demand. 3.2 GW hydropower, 16 GW PV with 2 GW/4 h of energy storage, can achieve 4500 utilisation hours of DC and 90% PV power consumption rate as shown in Figure 7.
Key TakeawaysSolar panel efficiency can decrease by 0. 5% for every 1°C increase in temperature above 25°C (77°F). High temperatures cause the semiconductor materials in photovoltaic cells to become more conductive, reducing the voltage generated.
This coefficient refers specifically to the panel's temperature, not the surrounding air temperature. So, even if it's 25°C outside, the panel itself will likely be hotter. It's not until the panels reach extremely high temperatures – around 85°C – that solar panels might stop generating electricity altogether.
When considering solar panels for hot climates, pay attention to the temperature coefficient. This tells you how much efficiency the panel loses for every degree above the standard test temperature of 25°C (77°F). Panels with a lower temperature coefficient, closer to zero, perform better in high temperatures.
No, hotter temperatures are not better for solar panels. In fact, solar panels perform better in moderate temperatures rather than extremely hot conditions. Higher temperatures can cause a decrease in their efficiency, leading to reduced power output. Why do solar panels work better in cold?
It might be counter-intuitive to think that high temperatures decrease solar panel efficiency. After all, solar panels are at their best when fully exposed to sunlight. But, they can become a s hot as 80°C; like any other electronic device, solar panels can suffer from high temperatures. Let's see why. The sun at its zenith.
On the other hand, cold temperatures can initially boost the conductivity and voltage output of solar panels, but prolonged exposure to extreme cold can result in decreased sunlight availability, increased resistive losses, and reduced panel efficiency. To mitigate the effects of temperature on solar panel efficiency, certain measures can be taken.
When temperatures soar, these electrons can bounce around too much – and this reduces voltage, or the amount of electricity generated. Too much heat also reduces the efficiency of the solar panel, by 0.5 percentage points for every degree Celsius rise in temperature. What can be done about overheating solar panels?
These materials such as silicon-carbon blends, hard-carbon composites, and advanced graphene structures can store more energy, charge significantly faster, and extend battery life, which is crucial for electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable energy storage systems.
High-performance batteries are advanced energy storage solutions designed to deliver superior performance compared to conventional batteries. They utilize innovative technologies, such as solid-state electrolytes, which replace the liquid electrolytes found in traditional batteries. Key Features of High Performance Batteries
Efficiency: These batteries boast high energy densities, meaning they can store more energy in a smaller volume. This efficiency translates into longer usage times for devices and vehicles powered by HPBs. Environmental Impact: Many high-performance batteries are designed with sustainability in mind.
In this Review, we describe BESTs being developed for grid-scale energy storage, including high-energy, aqueous, redox flow, high-temperature and gas batteries. Battery technologies support various power system services, including providing grid support services and preventing curtailment.
Higher energy density batteries can store more energy in a smaller volume, which makes them lighter and more portable. For instance, lithium-ion batteries are appropriate for a wide range of applications such as electric vehicles, where size and weight are critical factors .
BESTs are increasingly deployed, so critical challenges with respect to safety, cost, lifetime, end-of-life management and temperature adaptability need to be addressed. The rise in renewable energy utilization is increasing demand for battery energy-storage technologies (BESTs).
Batteries are essential for providing a flexible and dependable power source by storing and releasing energy as needed. As renewable energy sources expand and electric vehicles become more popular, battery technology is becoming even more critical in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainable energy solutions.
When multiple capacitors are connected in parallel, you can find the total capacitance using this formula. C T = C 1 + C 2 + . + C n.
If you have three capacitors with capacitances of 10µF, 20µF, and 30µF connected in parallel, the total capacitance would be: Therefore, the equivalent capacitance of the parallel combination is 60 microfarads. Capacitors can be connected in two primary configurations: series and parallel.
When 4, 5, 6 or even more capacitors are connected together the total capacitance of the circuit CT would still be the sum of all the individual capacitors added together and as we know now, the total capacitance of a parallel circuit is always greater than the highest value capacitor.
Cp = C1 + C2 + C3. This expression is easily generalized to any number of capacitors connected in parallel in the network. For capacitors connected in a parallel combination, the equivalent (net) capacitance is the sum of all individual capacitances in the network, Cp = C1 + C2 + C3 +... Figure 8.3.2: (a) Three capacitors are connected in parallel.
Connecting capacitors in parallel results in more energy being stored by the circuit compared to a system where the capacitors are connected in a series. This is because the total capacitance of the system is the sum of the individual capacitance of all the capacitors connected in parallel.
C = C₁ + C₂ + . As you can see, the capacitors in parallel formula is exactly the same as that for series resistors, which is simply the sum of all the individual components. It turns out that the equation for capacitors in series resembles the one for parallel resistors as well as parallel inductors.
One important point to remember about parallel connected capacitor circuits, the total capacitance ( CT ) of any two or more capacitors connected together in parallel will always be GREATER than the value of the largest capacitor in the group as we are adding together values.
laid the theoretical foundations for understanding the double layer phenomenon. The formation of double layers is exploited in every to store electrical energy. Every capacitor has two electrodes, mechanically separated by a separator. These are electrically connected via the electrolyte, a mixture of positive and n.
Electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) are energy storage devices which utilize the electric charge of the electrical double layer. EDLC consists of a pair of electrodes which are called the positive and negative electrodes. The positive charges are stored on the positive electrode, and anions in the electrolyte adsorb on the electrode surface.
Whereas charging a rechargeable battery requires several hours, an electric double layer capacitor can be charged in a matter of seconds. Furthermore, the number of charge cycles for a battery is limited, but the electric double layer capacitor in principle has no such limitation.
Binoy K. Saikia, in Journal of Energy Storage, 2022 The capacitance mechanism of Electric Double Layer Capacitors is similar to that of dielectric capacitors. In conventional capacitors, energy is stored by the accumulation of charges on two parallel metal electrodes which separated by dielectric medium with a potential difference between them.
Because the separation of the layers is atomically small, the capacitance of an electrical double layer is huge. Electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) are energy storage devices which utilize the electric charge of the electrical double layer. EDLC consists of a pair of electrodes which are called the positive and negative electrodes.
Because an electrochemical capacitor is composed out of two electrodes, electric charge in the Helmholtz layer at one electrode is mirrored (with opposite polarity) in the second Helmholtz layer at the second electrode. Therefore, the total capacitance value of a double-layer capacitor is the result of two capacitors connected in series.
The amount of charge stored in double-layer capacitor depends on the applied voltage. The double-layer capacitance is the physical principle behind the electrostatic double-layer type of supercapacitors.
All the capacitors which are connected in parallel have the same voltage and is equal to the VT applied between the input and output terminals of the circuit.
There is less charge on the two capacitors in series across a voltage source than if one of the capacitors is connected to the same voltage source. This can be shown by either considering charge on each capacitor due to the voltage on each capacitor, or by considering the charge on the equivalent series capacitance.
Kirchoff says that they must all have the same current, so they must all have the same charge, too! Note that the voltage across the capacitors is V = Q/C V = Q / C, so the larger capacitors will have smaller voltages across them and the smaller capacitors will have larger voltages.
If we have two capacitors in series, any charge we push through the entire complex will pass through both capacitors at once, but the voltage we measure across it will be the sum of the individual capacitor voltages. So it takes less charge to create any desired change in total voltage -- that is, the capacitance is less.
Two identical capacitors are connected in parallel with an open switch between them. One of the capacitors is charged with a voltage of, the other is uncharged. When the switch is closed, some of the charge on the first capacitor flows into the second, reducing the voltage on the first and increasing the voltage on the second.
The capacitance of the capacitor indicates how much voltage a particular amount of charge corresponds to Q/C = V. Put more charge into a cap, get a bigger voltage difference. Put the same charge in a smaller cap, get a bigger voltage difference.
The larger the gap, the smaller the capacitance. Putting multiple capacitors in series puts multiple gaps in series, thus making the gaps larger. Another interpretation is that it it a voltage divider, and thus the charge induced is only corresponding to a fraction of the voltage.