a measure of the relationship between stored energy and rate of energy dissipation in certain electrical components, devices, etc, thus indicating their efficiency
2. Also called: Q value
the heat released in a nuclear reaction, usually expressed in millions of electronvolts for each individual reaction
Symbol: Q
Word origin
C20: short for quality factor
Q factor in Electrical Engineering
(kyu fæktər) or quality factor
Word forms: (regular plural) Q factors
noun
(Electrical engineering: Semiconductor and electronic circuitry, Analog)
The Q factor of certain electrical components and devices is a measure of the relationship betweenstored energy and the rate of energy use, that gives an indication of their efficiency.
SIMILAR WORDS:
damping factor
The higher the Q factor of the inductor, the closer it approaches the behavior of an ideal, lossless, inductor.
If you are deliberately using the inductor as part of a resonant circuit, then itis important to note that the Q factor of a self resonant circuit is generally not high.
The Q factor of certain electrical components and devices is a measure of the relationship betweenstored energy and the rate of energy use, that gives an indication of their efficiency.