1. What is Duty Cycle?

Duty cycle is the fraction of time a system is in an "active" state relative to the total time under consideration. It's commonly expressed as a percentage and used in electrical and mechanical systems to describe the ratio of pulse duration to pulse period.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the duty cycle equation:

Where:

• On Time — Duration the system is active (seconds)
• Total Time — Duration of one complete cycle (seconds)

Explanation: The equation calculates what percentage of the total cycle time the system is in its active state.

3. Importance of Duty Cycle Calculation

Details: Duty cycle is crucial for determining power dissipation in electronic circuits, motor heating in mechanical systems, and determining appropriate operating conditions for many devices.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both On Time and Total Time in seconds. Both values must be positive numbers, and On Time cannot exceed Total Time.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical duty cycle range?
A: Duty cycle ranges from 0% (always off) to 100% (always on). Many systems operate between 10-90% duty cycle.

Q2: How is duty cycle related to power?
A: For PWM signals, average power is directly proportional to duty cycle (50% duty cycle = 50% of full power).

Q3: What's the difference between duty cycle and frequency?
A: Frequency determines how often cycles occur, while duty cycle determines what portion of each cycle is active.

Q4: Where is duty cycle commonly used?
A: PWM motor control, switching power supplies, pulse oximetry, radar systems, and many digital communication protocols.

Q5: What does 30% duty cycle mean?
A: The system is active for 30% of the time and inactive for 70% of the time during each complete cycle.