Choose a solve mode for dissipation factor, ESR, series capacitance, model frequency, Q/loss angle, or loss power. Enter the required matched measurements, then select Calculate. Loss-power modes use sinusoidal RMS voltage across the capacitor terminals.

Use equivalent series capacitance and ESR at the same positive test frequency.

Positive Cs from the same frequency and test conditions as DF or ESR.

Positive frequency. DF, ESR and capacitance can change with frequency; use matching measured values.

Nonnegative series resistance at the same test frequency. Zero represents ideal zero loss.

Units and frequency shortcut

Selecting a shortcut sets the frequency field. It does not supply DF, ESR or capacitance and does not calculate automatically.

Related Calculators

Capacitor Dissipation Factor Formula

For the equivalent series ESR + capacitance model at one test frequency, the dissipation factor is:

DF = 2 ร— ฯ€ ร— f ร— C ร— 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 equivalent series capacitance at the same test frequency (farads)

To calculate the dissipation factor, multiply the equivalent series resistance by the product of 2, ฯ€, 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. For matching test conditions, a lower DF means a lower ratio of resistive loss to capacitive reactive power. DF and ESR depend on the component and test frequency, temperature and bias. For terminal RMS voltage V, the series model gives P = Vยฒ(2ฯ€fC)DF/(1+DFยฒ); the low-loss approximation omits the denominator. Enter a measured DF or ESR; a material name alone does not establish either value.

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 * ฯ€ * f * C * ESR.
  5. Finally, choose Dissipation factor from ESR and select Calculate. The other solve modes show only their required inputs.
  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