verlustarm

Verlustarm is a German adjective used in engineering to describe systems, components or devices designed to minimize losses during operation. The term derives from Verlust, meaning loss, and arm, meaning lacking or low. It is a relative descriptor and its exact meaning varies by field.

In electrical engineering and power transmission, verlustarme solutions aim to reduce energy losses such as resistive (I^2R) losses, dielectric losses, and leakage. This is typically expressed through higher efficiency or lower attenuation. In optics and photonics, verlustarm describes materials and structures with low absorption, scattering and bending losses, enabling longer-distance signal transport in fiber or waveguides.

In practice, there is no universal quantitative threshold for "verlustarm"; it denotes a performance improvement compared with a reference. Metrics include efficiency (Pout/Pin) and attenuation (dB). Examples include high-quality, low-loss cables and connectors, effective insulation with minimal thermal losses, and optical fibers with low attenuation.

The term is widely used in both technical literature and marketing to indicate enhanced performance, but it remains context-dependent. Trade-offs often arise with cost, weight, bandwidth, and physical constraints: achieving lower losses may involve more expensive materials or processing, or may limit flexibility.