Connect with us

Explanation of different current/voltage types: RMS, Peak, Mean, DC, AC

Reply to Thread

Discussion in 'General Electronics Discussion' started by huynh213, Apr 12, 2016.

Scroll to continue with content
  1. Apr 12, 2016 #1
    huynh213

    huynh213

    1
    0
    Apr 12, 2016
    Hello,

    As I use Digital Power Meter to capture current and voltage data out of my systems, I often see different types of current or voltage (Peak, Mean, DC, AC, RMS, RMN). Since I normally just use RMS or Peak for my calculation, I wonder if some of you can help me cover some other types so that I can have a better understanding of those.

    I've been trying to Google a bit but couldn't find out any good sources that cover these material.
     
  2. Apr 12, 2016 #2
    duke37

    duke37

    5,364
    772
    Jan 9, 2011
    DC Direct current, also used for voltage. This is where the voltage and current are constant and of only one polarity. The simplest to deal with.
    AC Alternating voltage/current. This may apply to sine wave or any other wave shape where the current changes sine.
    RMS Root Mean Square. This applies to AC and is the voltage/current that will give the same heating in a resistor as DC
    Peak is the maximum voltage which is seen, it may be positive or negative.
    Mean is the average of varying voltage/current.
    RMN No idea.

    Of you have an AC sine wave, then the peak is root 2 * RMS and the mean is RMS*0.9
    Other wave forms may be vastly different.
     
  3. Apr 12, 2016 #3
    davenn

    davenn Moderator

    13,940
    1,984
    Sep 5, 2009
    where the voltage is reasonably constant, the current can be varying continuously, it is still DC

    you may want to reword that a little as well ;)
     
  4. Apr 12, 2016 #4
    duke37

    duke37

    5,364
    772
    Jan 9, 2011
    I looked up Wikipedia and they specify DC as one polarity and AC as repeatedly varying polarity.
    I am used to circuits where the DC varies and can be considered a mixture of AC and DC.

    Pehaps I shouldn't have tried to make a concise definition. Colin seems to think I do not know what I am talking about, maybe he is right.:)
     
  5. Apr 12, 2016 #5
    dorke

    dorke

    2,342
    665
    Jun 20, 2015
    Welcome to EP.
    Please explain what is RMN?
    Where have you seen that?
     
    davenn likes this.
  6. Apr 13, 2016 #6
    davenn

    davenn Moderator

    13,940
    1,984
    Sep 5, 2009
    it was really to point out that for DC the voltage is reasonably stable, say from a battery/PSU but the current can be fluctuating considerably
    say the varying load of a DC electric motor

    A changing DC is OK as long as it isn't regularly cyclic in its variations .... it's just called varying DC
    if it is regularly cyclic .. a pure or complex sinewave for example, then it is an AC signal

    making a clearer definition would have helped :)

    And I wouldn't worry about what Colin says too much :rolleyes:
    he gives us mod's enough to worry about ;)

    your presence on Electronics Point is always appreciated, thankyou :)


    Dave
     
Ask a Question
Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?
You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.
Similar Threads

  1. Different types of 555 timer

  2. Charging different types of batteries ?

  3. RMS value of current waveform

  4. Different types of transmitter receiver systems??

  5. Input impedance and Max RMS ac voltage

  6. RMS transformer voltage.

  7. types of metal

  8. What do different color wire mean?

Loading...
Electronics Point Logo
Continue to site
Quote of the day

“”

-