Calculate capacitor dissipation factor, Q, loss angle, and dielectric loss power from capacitance, frequency, ESR, and RMS voltage.

Capacitor Dissipation Factor Calculator

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Capacitor Dissipation Factor Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the dissipation factor of a capacitor:

DF = 2 * π * f * C * ESR

Variables:

  • DF is the dissipation factor of the capacitor
  • ESR is the equivalent series resistance (Ohms)
  • f is the frequency at which the capacitor is operating (Hertz)
  • C is the capacitance of the capacitor (Farads)

To calculate the dissipation factor, multiply the equivalent series resistance by the product of 2, π, the frequency, and the capacitance.

What is a Capacitor Dissipation Factor?

The dissipation factor (DF) is a measure of the losses in a capacitor that occur due to its inherent resistance. It is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio of the resistive power loss in the capacitor to the reactive power at a specified frequency. A lower dissipation factor indicates a more efficient capacitor with fewer energy losses.

How to Calculate Capacitor Dissipation Factor?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Capacitor Dissipation Factor:

  1. First, determine the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the capacitor in Ohms.
  2. Next, determine the frequency (f) at which the capacitor is operating in Hertz.
  3. Next, determine the capacitance (C) of the capacitor in Farads.
  4. Next, gather the formula from above = DF = 2 * π * f * C * ESR.
  5. Finally, calculate the Capacitor Dissipation Factor (DF).
  6. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Equivalent series resistance (ESR) = 0.02 Ohms

Frequency (f) = 1000 Hertz

Capacitance (C) = 0.000001 Farads