What is peak to peak voltage

Every electronic device requires a power source that is fully compatible with its design. Some devices utilize DC, whereas other devices use AC. There are also devices, such as personal computers, that utilize DC converted from AC electrical outlets. In every case, there are parameters to which this electrical power source must adhere to for the device to function.

The need to differentiate between maximum or peak voltage and RMS root-mean-squared or average voltage is paramount to both design and functionality. One such parameter is the AC peak voltage. As you might imagine, utilizing a voltage that exceeds a device's design will undoubtedly lead to catastrophic failure and possibly injury or death.

So, what is AC peak voltage? As the name implies, AC peak voltage is the maximum or peak voltage the source can or will achieve. Peak voltage, which we designate as VP, is measured from the horizontal axis at 0 reference height to the top of the waveform or crest. Keep in mind that AC stands for alternating current, and this also means that the voltage alternates changes polarity a set number of times in a given period. Take, for example, a 60Hz, volt AC signal:.

The 60Hz designation indicates that the signal will alternate from negative peak to positive peak voltage 60 times within one second. This particular voltage parameter is called peak-to-peak or VPP, and it is not interchangeable with peak voltage. Understandably, these parameters affect the application that a particular voltage is compatible with and, thus, affect overall functionality.

The formulas for calculating the V P for sinusoidal AC signals are as follows:. If you acquire the peak-to-peak voltage V PP value, you can calculate the peak voltage V P by using the following formula:. If you acquire the RMS voltage value, you can calculate the peak voltage V P by using the following formula:.

If you acquire the average voltage value, you can calculate the peak voltage by using the following formula:. AC peak voltage, like a myriad of other parameters we find in the field of electronics, is beneficial to overall design and functionality. The understanding of an electrical source's maximum, average, and minimum potential greatly enhances your design accuracy, functionality, and device performance.

An AC peak voltage that exceeds the power strips capacity will lead to catastrophic failure. Other Products. Stock clearance. Limited-time offers. Currency: 1 AUD - 2. Menu Main Page. Store Regulations. Withdrawal from the Agreement. Returns and complaints. Electronics Design. Access to the Wholesale Prices. Collect points - get rewards! Advertising materials. Frequently Asked Questions. Technical Dictionary. E-mail Newsletter. Power calculator. Peak-to-peak voltage Vpp Peak-to-peak voltage Vpp can be explained in terms of a sinusoidal-waveform voltage.

Experienced with basic survival skills, weapon system security, technical disaster recovery, and system troubleshooting. Read on. What is Peak voltage? What is Peak to Peak Voltage? Note; Vp represents the maximum value of a particular function as measured from point zero to the volt level. Vp-p; represents the full voltage between the negative and positive peaks of the waveform. This also represents the sum of the overall magnitude of positive and negative peaks.

In order to determine the value of RMS in an AC wave, we can carry out the following mathematical operations; Determine the square of the waveform function a sine wave in most cases Average the function resulting from step 1 above Determine the square root of the function from step 2 above.

The RMS value for 6V is 4.