1. What is RMS Voltage?

RMS (Root Mean Square) voltage is the equivalent DC voltage that would produce the same power dissipation in a resistive load. It's the most common way to express the magnitude of an AC voltage.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the RMS voltage formula:

Where:

• \( V_{rms} \) — Root Mean Square voltage (V)
• \( V_{peak} \) — Peak voltage (V)
• \( \sqrt{2} \) — Approximately 1.4142

Explanation: For a pure sinusoidal waveform, the RMS value is the peak value divided by the square root of 2.

3. Importance of RMS Voltage

Details: RMS voltage is crucial because it allows AC voltages to be compared directly to DC voltages in terms of their power delivery capability. Most AC voltmeters display RMS values.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the peak voltage in volts. The value must be positive. The calculator will compute the equivalent RMS voltage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use RMS instead of peak voltage?
A: RMS gives the equivalent DC voltage that would deliver the same power, making it more useful for practical calculations.

Q2: Does this formula work for all waveforms?
A: No, this formula is specific to pure sine waves. Other waveforms have different conversion factors.

Q3: What's the relationship between RMS and peak-to-peak voltage?
A: For sine waves: \( V_{rms} = \frac{V_{peak-to-peak}}{2\sqrt{2}} \)

Q4: How does RMS relate to household voltage ratings?
A: When we say "120V AC", we're referring to the RMS value. The peak voltage is about 170V.

Q5: Why is the square root of 2 used?
A: It comes from the mathematical derivation of the root mean square calculation for a sine wave.