Dissipationsfaktor

Dissipationsfaktor, also known as the dissipation factor or loss tangent, is a measure of the energy loss in a dielectric material when subjected to an alternating electric field. It quantifies how effectively a dielectric material dissipates electrical energy as heat, rather than storing it as electrical potential energy. Mathematically, it is defined as the ratio of the imaginary part of the complex dielectric permittivity to the real part, or equivalently, as the tangent of the loss angle.

The dissipation factor is a dimensionless quantity and is often expressed as a decimal or as a percentage. A low dissipation factor indicates that a material is a good insulator with minimal energy loss, while a high dissipation factor signifies a material that readily loses energy through heat generation. This property is crucial in applications where electrical insulation is paramount, such as in capacitors, high-voltage equipment, and electronic components. Materials with low dissipation factors are preferred to minimize power loss, prevent overheating, and ensure the efficient functioning of electrical systems. Conversely, in some specific applications, a controlled amount of dissipation might be desirable. The dissipation factor is influenced by factors such as temperature, frequency of the applied electric field, and the material's composition and structure.