Red Seal Electrician Practice
AC theoryQuestion 972 of 1506

Which part of a real capacitor is the usual source of its power loss?

  1. The copper lead wires of the capacitor
  2. The metal plates of the capacitor
  3. The outer case and label of the part
  4. The dielectric material
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Correct answer: The dielectric material

A capacitor has very little wire, so the heating in the dielectric under a changing field is the main loss.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits II: AC (Kuphaldt), 4.5: Capacitor Quirks

Practice ac theory

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026