Using and abusing supercaps – what to expect

As more development teams begin to play with these interesting devices, there are some surprises in store – but very little to fear.

After being deliberately shorted by a copper wire, a large several-kilofarad-size electrochemical capacitor regains voltage after the shorting wire is removed. Where does this energy come from?

This phenomenon has been reported over the years for all types of capacitors, from earlier electrostatic and electrolytic capacitors to today's electrochemical capacitors. Years ago, in fact, it was the basis for a kind of Wild West wisdom in the television repair industry. Great . . .