Capacitance
Cable capacitance describes electrical charge storage between specified conductors.
It is often given per metre or per foot. Total cable capacitance also depends on length, and measurements between different conductor pairs are not interchangeable.
Capacitance — Phono Cable
For a phono cable, capacitance contributes to the load seen by the cartridge. With a cartridge sensitive to capacitive loading, the cable and phono-input capacitances belong in the complete assessment.
Compare the stated measurement basis and installed length with the cartridge’s loading requirements. A per-metre number is not the total, and other wiring between cartridge and input also contributes.
Capacitance — Speaker Cable
For a loudspeaker cable, capacitance forms part of the electrical load presented to the amplifier. Its importance depends on the cable length and amplifier design.
Compare total capacitance and any amplifier cable requirements. A high or low per-length figure alone does not establish better sound, and changing length changes the total load.
Capacitance — BNC Cable
For a BNC coaxial cable, capacitance per length is related to its transmission-line construction. It is one property alongside characteristic impedance and signal loss.
Compare measurements between the same conductors and at the same length basis. Capacitance alone does not establish a correctly matched 75-ohm cable or the supported digital rate.
Capacitance — S/PDIF Cable
For an electrical S/PDIF cable, capacitance belongs to the coaxial transmission structure. It does not describe the light path in an optical S/PDIF cable.
Compare the same electrical cable type and per-length basis. A capacitance figure is not a direct substitute for characteristic impedance or a complete signal-integrity specification.
Capacitance — RCA Cable
For an RCA interconnect, cable capacitance loads the connected source together with the receiving input. Its effect depends on source impedance and total cable length.
Compare whole-cable capacitance or convert equivalent per-length figures consistently. Do not assume the lowest number alone guarantees a better result; the source and intended connection determine the relevant loading.
Capacitance — XLR Cable
For an XLR interconnect, capacitance can be specified conductor-to-conductor or conductor-to-shield. These describe different parts of the electrical loading.
Compare the same measurement arrangement and length basis. A balanced-cable capacitance figure without identifying the conductor pair is incomplete, and the source circuit affects how that load behaves.