JOULE SCHOOL - Pulse Energy Calculator

Pulse Type:

Square Wave Pulse

A constant voltage or current is applied across a resistor for a given pulse duration.

Square Wave Pulse Energy

E = Pulse Energy

P = Pulse Power

t = Pulse Duration

E = P t

To calculate Pulse Energy, enter the Pulse Power and Pulse Duration, then click Compute.

Variables

Pulse Power (W)
Pulse Width (s)

If Pulse Power is unknown, enter any two of the following:

Voltage (V_DC or V_RMS)
Current (A)
Resistance (Ω)

Result

E = Pulse Energy (J)

Average Power

For a repetitive pulse scenario, after computing the Pulse Energy on the left, enter the Cycle Time (T) of the pulse below.

If there is additional continuous power applied to the resistor along with the pulse, then enter that power below (Additional Power).

Then click compute.

Variables

T (Cycle Time, s)
Additional Power (W)

Result

Average Power (W)

Please use American number formats that use decimal points instead of commas. For example, use "8.88" and not "8,88".

If you would like additional technical assistance once you have calculated the pulse energy, click here

Capacitive Charge/Discharge Pulse

A capacitor is charged to a given voltage and then discharged through a wirewound resistor.

Capacitive Charge/Discharge Pulse Energy

E = Pulse Energy

C = Capacitance

V_Peak = Peak Voltage

E = ½CV²

To calculate Pulse Energy, enter Capacitance and Voltage, then click Compute.

Variables

Capacitance (F)
V_Peak(V) where V_Peak = V_DC or V_Peak = V_RMS x √2

Result

E = Pulse Energy (J)

Average Power

For a repetitive pulse scenario, after computing the Pulse Energy on the left, enter the Cycle Time (T) of the pulse below.

If there is additional continuous power applied to the resistor along with the pulse, then enter that power below (Additional Power).

Then click compute.

Variables

T (Cycle Time, s)
Additional Power (W)

Result

Average Power (W)

If you would like additional technical assistance once you have calculated the pulse energy, click here

Exponentially Decaying Pulse

The application reaches a peak voltage and decreases at a rate proportional to its value. This is typically modeled by DO-160E WF4 or IEC 6100-4-5 and represents a lightning surge.

Exponential Decay Pulse Energy

V_Peak = Peak Voltage

t₁ = Rise Time

t₂ = Time to 1/2 Voltage

t₃ = Total Decay Time

To calculate Pulse Energy, enter Voltage, Resistance, Rise Time, Time to 1/2 Voltage and Total Decay Time [if known], then click Compute.

Variables

V_Peak(V)
where V_Peak = V_DC
or V_Peak = V_RMS x √2

Resistance (Ω)
t₁ (s)
t₂ (s)
t₃ (s) [optional]

Result

τ(Exponential rate of decay)
Pulse Energy of Rise (J)
Pulse Energy of Decay (J)
Total Pulse Energy (J)

Average Power

For a repetitive pulse scenario, after computing the Pulse Energy on the left, enter the Cycle Time (T) of the pulse below.

If there is additional continuous power applied to the resistor along with the pulse, then enter that power below (Additional Power).

Then click compute.

Variables

T (Cycle Time, s)
Additional Power (W)

Result

Average Power (W)

If you would like additional technical assistance once you have calculated the pulse energy, click here