Total Harmonic Distortion

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) measures how much a signal, such as an audio or electrical wave, deviates from a pure form due to additional unwanted frequencies called harmonics. These harmonics are multiples of the original signal's frequency and can cause sound quality to become muddled or equipment to operate less efficiently. THD is expressed as a percentage; lower values indicate cleaner, more accurate signals. In essence, THD quantifies the purity of a signal, helping assess how closely it resembles the original intended waveform.