Electrolytic Capacitor - What is its Definition and Types? Electrolytic capacitor is an electronic component, which is used when very large capacitance values are required. This component contains a semi-liquid electrolyte solution, which serves as the second electrode, generally the cathode. The capacitance has a thin layer of oxide that is generated electro-chemically as thin film of thickness less than ten microns. The insulating layer is thin enough to make capacitors that have a large value of capacitance good for a small physical size as the distance between the plates.
The maximum number of electrolytic types of capacitors is usually polarized. In other words, the DC voltage must be of the correct polarity while applied to the capacitor, i.e., positive to the positive terminal and negative to the negative terminal because an inappropriate polarization will break down the insulating