Properties of Alternating Current

Frequency, period, peak-to-peak Voltage, RMS voltage

Frequency: (f) The number of cycles that a signal (voltage or current) has in one second. The frecuency unit is: Hertz

Period: (T) The interval of time needed for a signal to be repeated.

The Period has the formula: T = 1/f or the period (T) is the inverse of the frequency (f).

Peak-to-peak Voltage (Vpp)
Looking at the picture we see that there is a maximum and a minimum voltage.

The difference between these two voltage values is called peak-to-peak voltage (Vpp) and is twice the peak Voltage (Vp) (see the picture).

RMS voltage. (Vrms): You can get the RMS voltage of an AC voltage using the formula: Vrms = 0,707 x Vp.

This is the voltage value we get from a VOM.

Now, here`s something to think about

When we use a VOM to test the AC voltage in our houses, we find that this voltage will be near 110 or 220 volts (depends on the country we live)

This is an RMS voltage

What will the peak voltage (Vp) of this signal be?

Using the formula above: Vp = Vrms / 0,707

case 1: Vrms = 110 V, then Vp = 110/0,707 = 155.6 Volts
case 2: Vrms = 220 V, then Vp = 220/0,707 = 311.17 Volts

Related Links
- Continuous or direct current
- Benjamin Franklin`s Fluid Theory
- The electric power transformer
- Static electricity
- Light-emitting diode connected to 120/240 VAC

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