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 standard way to express AC voltage magnitudes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the RMS voltage equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: For a pure sinusoidal waveform, the RMS value is equal to the peak value divided by the square root of 2 (approximately 1.414).

3. Importance of RMS Voltage

Details: RMS voltage is crucial in electrical engineering as it allows AC voltages to be compared meaningfully with DC voltages in terms of their power delivery capability.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Is this calculation valid for all waveforms?
A: No, this specific calculation is only valid for pure sine waves. Other waveforms require different calculations.

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

Q4: How does RMS relate to household voltage ratings?
A: Standard household voltage (e.g., 120V or 230V) refers to RMS voltage. The peak voltage is higher (e.g., 120V RMS ≈ 170V peak).

Q5: When would you need to know peak voltage?
A: Peak voltage is important for insulation design and component selection where maximum voltage matters.