Duty cycle

**Duty cycle**

The term “duty cycle” refers to the proportion of time a system or component is actively operating compared to its total cycle time. Often expressed as a percentage, it indicates how long a device, such as a motor, LED, or electronic signal, is switched on versus off within a given period. Understanding duty cycle is crucial in various fields like electronics, telecommunications, and mechanical engineering, as it impacts performance, efficiency, and thermal management. For example, in pulse-width modulation (PWM), adjusting the duty cycle controls the amount of power delivered to a load.