How many nanocoulombs in one coulomb?

1 C = 10⁹ nC (1 billion nanocoulombs)

Why nanocoulombs in datasheets?

Convenient whole numbers for gate/capacitor charges

HBM: 1,000-4,000 nC; CDM: 200-1,000 nC

How to measure nC charges?

Current integration: Q = ∫I·dt method

Coulombs to Nanocoulombs Converter - Precise C to nC Calculator

Convert coulombs to nanocoulombs instantly with our scientific calculator designed for electronics engineers, physicists, and researchers. Perfect for capacitor datasheets, sensor calibration, power electronics, and circuit analysis where nanocoulombs provide convenient measurement scales. Uses the SI prefix where 1 C = \(10^9\) nC.

Interactive Electric Charge Converter

Enter Coulombs (C):

Enter Nanocoulombs (nC):

Conversion Result

Understanding Coulomb to Nanocoulomb Conversion

The coulomb (C) is the SI base unit of electric charge. The nanocoulomb (nC) represents one billionth (\(10^{-9}\)) of a coulomb, making it the standard unit for measuring charge in power electronics, capacitor specifications, piezoelectric sensors, and electrostatic discharge analysis.

Conversion Formulas

\( \text{nC} = \text{C} \times 10^{9} \)

Inverse Formula:

\( \text{C} = \frac{\text{nC}}{10^{9}} \)

Conversion Factor: \( 1 \, \text{C} = 1,000,000,000 \, \text{nC} = 10^{9} \, \text{nC} \)

Quick Reference Conversion Table

Essential conversions for electronics applications:

Coulombs (C)	Nanocoulombs (nC)	Scientific Notation
1 C	1,000,000,000 nC	\(10^{9}\) nC
0.1 C	100,000,000 nC	\(10^{8}\) nC
0.01 C	10,000,000 nC	\(10^{7}\) nC
0.001 C	1,000,000 nC	\(10^{6}\) nC
1 μC (10⁻⁶ C)	1,000 nC	\(10^{3}\) nC
1 nC (10⁻⁹ C)	1 nC	1 nC
10 nC	0.00000001 C	\(10^{-8}\) C
100 nC	0.0000001 C	\(10^{-7}\) C
1,000 nC	0.000001 C	\(10^{-6}\) C

Electronics Applications Table

Typical charge values in electronic components:

Component/Application	Coulombs	Nanocoulombs
Power MOSFET Gate Charge	50 × 10⁻⁹ C	50 nC
Electrolytic Capacitor (10μF)	50 × 10⁻⁶ C	50,000 nC
ESD Human Body Model	1.33 × 10⁻⁶ C	1,330 nC
Piezoelectric Sensor	100 × 10⁻⁹ C	100 nC
Ceramic Capacitor Charge	1 × 10⁻⁹ C	1 nC

Step-by-Step Conversion Guide

Method 1: Direct Scientific NotationIdentify charge in coulombs (e.g., 4.7 × 10⁻⁶ C)
Multiply by \(10^{9}\)
Calculate: \( 4.7 \times 10^{-6} \times 10^{9} = 4.7 \times 10^3 \) nC
Result: 4,700 nC

Method 2: Prefix Ladder

Quick reference conversions:

1 μC = 10⁻⁶ C = 10³ nC = 1,000 nC
1 nC = 10⁻⁹ C = 1 nC
1 pC = 10⁻¹² C = 0.001 nC

Practical Examples

Example 1: MOSFET Gate Charge

Problem: Datasheet lists Qg = 35 nC. Convert to coulombs.

Solution: \( 35 \div 10^{9} = 3.5 \times 10^{-8} \) C

Answer: 35 nC = 35 × 10⁻⁹ C

Example 2: Capacitor Stored Charge

Problem: 10μF capacitor at 5V stores Q = CV = 50μC. Convert to nC.

Solution: \( 50 \times 10^{-6} \times 10^{9} = 50,000 \) nC

Answer: 50,000 nanocoulombs

Example 3: ESD Protection

Problem: ESD event delivers 2 × 10⁻⁶ C. Convert to nC.

Solution: \( 2 \times 10^{-6} \times 10^{9} = 2,000 \) nC

Answer: 2,000 nC

Real-World Applications

Power Electronics

Nanocoulombs measure gate charges in MOSFETs, IGBTs, and power ICs. Lower Qg values improve switching efficiency and reduce driver requirements.

Capacitor Specifications

Ceramic and electrolytic capacitors list maximum charge capacities in nanocoulombs for pulse applications and high-voltage testing.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

ESD models (HBM, CDM) specify charge levels in nanocoulombs to test component robustness against electrostatic events.

Piezoelectric & Pressure Sensors

Piezoelectric materials generate nanocoulomb charges proportional to mechanical stress, used in accelerometers and pressure transducers.

SI Prefix Relationship Chart

Charge Unit Hierarchy

Prefix	Symbol	Factor (vs C)	vs nC
pico	pC	10⁻¹²	0.001 nC
nano	nC	10⁻⁹	1 nC
micro	μC	10⁻⁶	1,000 nC
milli	mC	10⁻³	10⁶ nC

Precision Measurement Tips

Gate Charge Testing: Use peak current × rise time method for accurate Qg measurement
Capacitor Testing: Apply rated voltage and integrate current over time
ESD Testing: Follow JEDEC JESD22-A114 standards for HBM classification
Scientific Notation: Use 1e-6, 2.5e-9 formats for small charges
Instrument Ranges: Oscilloscopes measure up to 10⁶ nC; electrometers to 10⁹ nC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How many nanocoulombs are in one coulomb?

One coulomb equals exactly \(10^{9}\) nanocoulombs (1 billion nC). The "nano" prefix represents \(10^{-9}\).

Q2: Convert 1 microcoulomb to nanocoulombs?

1 μC = \(10^{-6}\) C × \(10^{9}\) = \(10^3\) nC = 1,000 nanocoulombs.

Q3: What is typical MOSFET gate charge?

Power MOSFETs have gate charges from 5-100 nC. Lower Qg improves switching speed and efficiency.

Q4: Convert 2500 nC to coulombs?

\( 2500 \div 10^{9} = 2.5 \times 10^{-6} \) C = 2.5 μC.

Q5: Why use nanocoulombs in datasheets?

Nanocoulombs give convenient whole numbers for gate charges (10-100 nC) and capacitor charges, avoiding excessive decimals.

Q6: Does this calculator support scientific notation?

Yes! Enter 1e-6 (1 μC), 3.5e-9 (3.5 nC), or 2e6 (2 million nC).

Q7: What ESD levels use nanocoulombs?

Human Body Model (HBM): 1,000-4,000 nC. Charged Device Model (CDM): 200-1,000 nC.

Q8: How to measure nanocoulomb charges?

Use current integration (charge = ∫I·dt) with oscilloscopes or dedicated charge meters for gate charge and capacitor testing.

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