Calculate the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of a signal in audio and electric power systems and to understand the distorted waveform.
This template is not available yet. You can sign up and create it yourself!
Or let us know if you'd like to be notified when it’s ready:
Your request has been received. We will let you know when it is available.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
About this calculator
The total harmonic distortion calculator computes the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of a signal in audio and electric power systems and outputs a graph of the actual distorted waveform.
What is THD?
Total harmonic distortion (THD) quantifies the deviation of a signal's harmonic content from a pure signal by comparing the voltages of the signal's harmonic components to the voltage of the signal's fundamental frequency.
Why is it important to calculate THD?
THD is critical in assessing the purity of audio and electrical power signals, where a lower THD suggests a signal that closely resembles the original sound or intended electrical frequency, leading to improved audio reproduction and power system performance.
Typically, the THD value can be interpreted as:
- THD < 1%, indicates minimal distortion, ideal for high-fidelity audio and critical power systems.
- THD 1% to 5%, acceptable in many consumer audio and some industrial power applications, with possible noticeable distortion in high-quality settings.
- THD > 5%, considered poor, with likely perceptible distortion affecting audio quality and causing inefficiencies in sensitive power systems.
Engineering templates
Common calculators
Design guides
Learn about the benefits of using CalcTree on engineering projects!
How to verify a calculation
Engineering calculations require clarity, precision, and professionalism. Here are some best practices we use at CalcTree:
- Technical Requirements: Start with boundary conditions, units, sign conventions, and design standards.
- Check the Math: Review the calculation step-by-step. Clarify unusual steps, compare results with hand calculations or tools, and test with multiple examples.
- Peer Review: Have an independent reviewer check for logic, accuracy, and compliance.
For more on verification, see CalcTree’s internal methods.
