What is typically the effective voltage in an AC circuit compared to the peak voltage?

What is typically the effective voltage in an AC circuit compared to the peak voltage?

• A. The same as peak voltage
• B. Greater than peak voltage
• C. Less than peak voltage
• D. Doubles the peak voltage

Answer: (C)

In alternating current (AC) circuits, the effective voltage, often referred to as the root mean square (RMS) voltage, is always less than the peak voltage. The peak voltage is the maximum voltage that occurs in the circuit, while the RMS voltage provides a way to express an equivalent DC voltage that would deliver the same power to a load. Mathematically, for a sinusoidal AC waveform, the relationship between peak voltage (V_peak) and effective voltage (V_rms) is defined as: V_rms = V_peak / √2 This means that the effective voltage is approximately 0.707 times the peak voltage, reinforcing the idea that the effective voltage is, indeed, less than the peak voltage. Understanding this relationship is critical in HVAC applications, as it allows technicians to calculate the power supplied to equipment and determine suitable electrical ratings for components within the system.

In alternating current (AC) circuits, the effective voltage, often referred to as the root mean square (RMS) voltage, is always less than the peak voltage. The peak voltage is the maximum voltage that occurs in the circuit, while the RMS voltage provides a way to express an equivalent DC voltage that would deliver the same power to a load.

Mathematically, for a sinusoidal AC waveform, the relationship between peak voltage (V_peak) and effective voltage (V_rms) is defined as:

V_rms = V_peak / √2

This means that the effective voltage is approximately 0.707 times the peak voltage, reinforcing the idea that the effective voltage is, indeed, less than the peak voltage. Understanding this relationship is critical in HVAC applications, as it allows technicians to calculate the power supplied to equipment and determine suitable electrical ratings for components within the system.