Paraffin Wax Dielectric Constant (3rd attempt - good one)

Results

The dielectric constant as determined by the method below is: 2.2. 2.2 is the capacitance of the wax capacitor (0.053 nF) divided by the capacitance of the air capacitor (0.024 nF).

The test was made using a parallel plate capacitor where the plates were aluminum of dimensions .8mm x 101.6mm x 101.6mm. The spacing between the plates was 4mm. To calculate the dielectric constant two capacitors were made: one with paraffin wax for the dielectric, the other with air for the dielectric. The dimensions of the wax were 122mm x 122mm x 4mm. The air gap for the air capacitor was 4mm. The capacitance of each was measured using the capacitance measuring feature of a Fluke 187 True RMS Multimeter. The two measurements made are detailed in the pictures below.

The setup for measuring the wax capacitor.
The setup for measuring the air capacitor.

Wax capacitor

Capacitance on meter when not measuring capacitor is 0.076 nF.
Meter zeroed (in Relative mode). The meter will automatically subtract 0.076 nF from the measurements it makes.
The measurement varied at different points from 0.052 nF...
... to 0.053 nF. Most were 0.053 nF.

Air capacitor

Capacitance on meter when not measuring capacitor is 0.077 nF.
Meter zeroed (in Relative mode). The meter will automatically subtract 0.077 nF from the measurements it makes.
The measurement varied at different points from 0.023 nF...
... to 0.024 nF. Most were 0.024 nF.

Construction

The two plates of the mold not yet combined. The walls of the mold are aliminum with brass spacers. A sample spacer is shown. Aluminum foil tape was used for holding it all together.
The completed mold, view showing the hole for the wax.
Heating the mold so that the wax will solidify more evenly.
Pouring the wax.
The setup for the pouring.
The finished result after the mold has been opened.

My two previous failed attempts at making a suitable capacitor.

  1. Paraffin Wax Dielectric Constant (1st attempt - no good)
  2. Paraffin Wax Dielectric Constant (2nd attempt - no good)

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