1. What is AC RMS Voltage?

The RMS (Root Mean Square) voltage is the equivalent DC voltage that would produce the same power dissipation in a resistive load. For a sinusoidal AC waveform, it's related to the peak voltage by a factor of 1/√2.

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: The RMS value is the effective value of a varying voltage, representing the equivalent DC voltage that would deliver the same power.

3. Importance of RMS Voltage

Details: RMS voltage is crucial for power calculations in AC circuits. Most AC voltmeters display RMS values, and electrical ratings are typically given in RMS values.

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 voltage instead of peak voltage?
A: RMS voltage represents the equivalent DC voltage that would produce the same heating effect, making it more useful for power calculations.

Q2: What's the relationship between RMS and peak-to-peak voltage?
A: For a sine wave: \( V_{RMS} = V_{peak-to-peak} / (2\sqrt{2}) \)

Q3: Does this formula work for all AC waveforms?
A: No, this specific formula (V_RMS = V_peak/√2) only applies to pure sinusoidal waveforms.

Q4: What's a typical RMS voltage for household AC?
A: In many countries, household AC is 230V RMS (with peak voltage of about 325V).

Q5: How does RMS relate to average voltage?
A: For a sine wave, the average voltage over a full cycle is zero, but the rectified average is about 0.9 × RMS.