Why is tan delta important?
Andrew Mclaughlin
Updated on January 16, 2026
Tan delta (Tan δ, TD) testing, also called dissipation factor or loss angle, is used for measuring the degree of deterioration of shielded MV/HV cable insulation. The results reveal how contaminated, damaged, or water tree strewn the insulation has become.
dissipation factor
In physics, the dissipation factor (DF) is a measure of loss-rate of energy of a mode of oscillation (mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical) in a dissipative system. It is the reciprocal of quality factor, which represents the "quality" or durability of oscillation.
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