Use this electronics calculation for a first-pass component, converter, signal, motor, or sensor estimate when the stated operating conditions and units match the device data.

Ripple current (RMS) (A)

Required number input.

ESR (Ω)

Required number input.

Compute capacitor ESR power dissipation as RMS ripple current squared times equivalent series resistance. The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.^[1]

Power loss (W)

The resulting power loss returned as a number.

• Capacitance, ESR, leakage, ripple rating, lifetime, and self-resonance vary with frequency, temperature, DC bias, aging, dielectric, package, and mounting. Nominal capacitance alone does not determine in-circuit impedance or reliability.
• Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Check the result against the current datasheet and worst-case operating corners, then verify the circuit or measurement with simulation and bench testing where failure matters.

• Power Module Loss Conduction

  Estimate resistive power-module conduction loss as RMS current squared times hot on-state resistance; use the operating-temperature resistance.

• ESR From Dissipation Factor

  Compute equivalent series resistance as dissipation factor / (2 x PI x frequency x capacitance).

• Capacitor Dissipation Factor Vs Frequency

  Loss tangent of a series-ESR capacitor at a specified frequency; excludes dielectric frequency dispersion.