Peak Voltage Calculator

How to Calculate Peak Voltage

Peak voltage is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering, representing the maximum amplitude of a voltage waveform. This calculator allows you to determine the peak voltage from either peak-to-peak voltage or RMS (Root Mean Square) voltage. Let's explore the formulas, calculation steps, and examples for both methods.

Formulas

1. Peak Voltage from Peak-to-Peak Voltage:

\[V_p = \frac{V_{pp}}{2}\]

Where:

• V_p = Peak voltage (V)
• V_pp = Peak-to-peak voltage (V)

2. Peak Voltage from RMS Voltage:

\[V_p = V_{rms} \times \sqrt{2}\]

Where:

• V_p = Peak voltage (V)
• V_rms = RMS voltage (V)

Calculation Steps

Using Peak-to-Peak Voltage:

1. Identify the peak-to-peak voltage (V_pp)
2. Divide V_pp by 2 to obtain the peak voltage (V_p)

Using RMS Voltage:

1. Identify the RMS voltage (V_rms)
2. Multiply V_rms by √2 (approximately 1.414) to obtain the peak voltage (V_p)

Examples

Example 1: Using Peak-to-Peak Voltage

Let's calculate the peak voltage for a waveform with a peak-to-peak voltage of 10 V.

Given: V_pp = 10 V

Step 1: Apply the formula

\[V_p = \frac{V_{pp}}{2} = \frac{10}{2} = 5 \text{ V}\]

Therefore, the peak voltage is 5 V.

Example 2: Using RMS Voltage

Now, let's calculate the peak voltage for a waveform with an RMS voltage of 120 V.

Given: V_rms = 120 V

Step 1: Apply the formula

\[V_p = V_{rms} \times \sqrt{2} = 120 \times \sqrt{2} \approx 169.71 \text{ V}\]

Therefore, the peak voltage is approximately 169.71 V.

Diagram

This diagram illustrates the relationship between peak voltage (V_p), peak-to-peak voltage (V_pp), and RMS voltage (V_rms) in a sinusoidal waveform. The peak voltage is the maximum amplitude, while the peak-to-peak voltage is the difference between the maximum positive and negative amplitudes. The RMS voltage represents the equivalent DC voltage that would produce the same power dissipation in a resistive load.